Body Work Questions

View this pic of my corner...do I fix this or sand prime and cover with a Aluminum Treadbrite Warrior Diamond Plate?

My corner


Plate

Notice the rust starting below embossed Jeep...




Do I do this?or...

List the steps to restore this spot-thanks!

Also-pass floor only has holes-suggestions??

 

Yup, those are easily fixable. My personal opinion is to avoid diamond plate for longevity.

 

I'd for dang sure stop the rust if I chose to cover the crooked metal with diamond plate. The body will continue to rust under the diamond plate. In fact, the diamond plate will probably accelerate any existing rust, since it will trap moisture next to the steel.

I'd grind out the old bondo, grind the surface rust or cover with Rust Encapsulator or similar, and patch-in any cancer - at minimum. Straightening and surface coat is optional.

 

Replacement panels are not too expensive. I would replace all of the rot with new pieces. Thats what I am getting into with mine now.

Good luck.

 

:iagree:

 

Patch panels at 4wd.com are cheap. Worked well.

 

Thanks for all the comments, I have a chance to buy panels. I will take a pic and post price and listen to advice.

The corner is dented in, should I drill and use a puller?

Cut out and panel patch...? What kind of welder do I need or can I use?

...I have an old arc welder, never used it...will that suffice? I can start this work soon in the pole barn. The filler I was using is fiberglass plastic with hardener.

 

Arc welders are pretty intense for sheet metal. if you try that I'd go as low amps as possible and a rod with less penetrating power like a 7018. You might be able to rent a stitch welder, or a wire feed...

 

I have my dad's old Lincoln AC180 stick welder, and I bought an Eastwood Stitch welder for it. It and some rods was under $100, and it's supposed to be designed especially for attaching to an AC welder and welding thin sheet metal. It essentially has a cable that clamps into the rod holder, and away you go.

I haven't tried it yet, not ready for bodywork so I've got it stashed. I've heard good things about them, somebody here bought one and raved about it.

 

Take the plunge and buy a MIG welder. You can get a lower amperage one at Sears for around $300 on sale. Trying to use a stick rod welder on car bodies can be very, very frustrating, and generally not very productive. Everything you show in the photos is easily repairable with some 16 ga. sheet metal, a MIG welder and a few hours on a weekend.
I've got one of the Eastwood stitch welders and it doesn't even come close to the MIG.

 

thanks...I'm sure I can borrow a MIG, now that I know what I'm looking for.

Last complete auto engine I rebuilt was 1974...how time flies. I finally have a project as an adult to tackle and frankly I figured techniques and materials would have evolved.

I appreciate every input. Hopefully I can connect with some local Jeep nuts as I have a 30 x 60 pole barn and a few fun tools

Nothing like hands on and visual for me.

Thanks again.

 

Another handy tool for body work on a jeep is a 4 1/2" angle grinder with the 1/8" thick metal cutting discs. Best thing I've found for quickly cutting body sheet metal. Just make sure to keep the guard in place and wear gloves and safety glasses.

 

all this body work info is good to learn... i'll be keeping an eye on this thread for sure

 

From what I can see of it, you should be able to hammer and dolly out most if not all of the dents. If there's any bracing underneath (I'm not familiar w/ the intermediates) be sure to bring it out too. Obviously, holes need to be filled in w/ new sheet metal, but save as much as you can. It will ultimately be stronger than any patch panels.:v6: