Patching a body panel
From Crankshaft Coalition Wiki
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| − | == Patch | + | == Patch panels == |
| + | ===Acquiring patch panels=== | ||
There are a couple of ways you can acquire a patch panel to weld in. | There are a couple of ways you can acquire a patch panel to weld in. | ||
#You can buy patch panels. This is not always an option if the vehicle you are working on isn't a popular model. | #You can buy patch panels. This is not always an option if the vehicle you are working on isn't a popular model. | ||
#You can fabricate your own patch panel. | #You can fabricate your own patch panel. | ||
| − | #Make sure the panel/skin is in reasonable shape before you work on it | + | |
| − | #Give yourself plenty of room with the patch | + | ===Procedure=== |
| + | #Make sure the panel/skin is in reasonable shape before you work on it; dents and formal repairs in the good part of the panel will distort the shape when the patch shape is cut out. | ||
| + | #Give yourself plenty of room with the patch; check if you can get behind the weld area. | ||
#Cut the patch and then the panel, make sure both edges "match" together | #Cut the patch and then the panel, make sure both edges "match" together | ||
| − | #Clamp the panels and spot weld the panel in | + | #Clamp the panels and spot weld the panel in. Don't get it too hot. |
| − | #If possible use TIG or gas, both produce a "soft" welds | + | #If possible, use TIG or gas, both produce a "soft" welds; MIG will work. |
| − | #Hammer weld the welds when hot (red) | + | #Hammer weld the welds when hot (red). This stretches the weld; remember -- welding steel contracts the weld area. |
| − | #After spot welding hammer and dolly the area to get it straight | + | #After spot welding, hammer and dolly the area to get it straight. Light off dolly work is best. |
| − | #Continue to weld in 3/4 length steps, don't get the area too HOT | + | #Continue to weld in 3/4 length steps, don't get the area too HOT! |
| − | #Continue to hammer and dolly | + | #Continue to hammer and dolly. |
| − | #Metal finish the area, use paint or large | + | #Metal finish the area, use paint or large marker over area, block sand to find high/low spots. Hammer and dolly until there's little left. |
| − | #For best results use a shrinking disk on the imperfections or use bondo | + | #For best results use a shrinking disk on the imperfections, or use [[bondo]]. |
== Bondo == | == Bondo == | ||
[[Category:Body and exterior]] | [[Category:Body and exterior]] | ||
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