Patching up the old girl !

[rickf]

I notice you are not using any paint or weld through primer on the lower rail repair piece. How are you going to stop the rust from forming between the two pieces of metal?

[Weasel M29c]

Over thinned PPG Dt 40. Thinking after paint (ODG) maybe using plastic-dip black as a under-coat ?

[rickf]

I am not big on any kind of undercoat since they can trap water in as well as keep it out. Being a unibody there will always be water intrusion above the channels and lower bodywork. Paint is best because when there is an issue with paint it is right there for you to see right away. With undercoat it just rots away under the coating until a big chunk of undercoat along with what used to be metal falls off.

[Weasel M29c]

Thanks .
One thing with some primers,they hold water. And your right about paint, that is what will keep out the water.

Holes filled !







Will start on the trans crossover and maybe the Drivers front, fender rear lip ?

[HILLBILLY-06]

It's kinda hard to feather the edges out where the body work/old paint lines stop when you start with a bare metal area like that.
Do you use a high build primer and such to meet back even across there, or do you have any other possible recommendations for an easier fix, for those of us who don't do much body work...etc. ??

[Weasel M29c]

HB, I will post how I do it when I start the refinishing. It will be for the DYI guy ! I have been doing body work for some time now. I'm old,but not a pro (you can see that in my work ) LOL.

[m3a1]

Seeing this makes me happy mine is made from 11 gauge metal. That thin stuff just gives me the creeps when it comes to fighting rot.

[Weasel M29c]

You calling .040" THIN! +- the rust ? LOL

[rickf]

I don't know, that 11 gauge seemed to have rotted out worse and faster than most M-151 18 gauge.

[Weasel M29c]

Need some input.

I'm thinking the front cross member at the trans needs to be repaired first and then the outer rails ? Then patch the inner rails ?
There are photos. I have the front repair kit coming and have the outer side rails.





I also ordered in new bushings for the rear arms. Well their to big for the old arms. Must be for the newer A1 and A2 ? So I went to my old race car stuff and turned some polyurethane bushings. She has been clunking for some time,my bad !





Thanks for the help.
Randy

[m3a1]

Ya know, Rick, that 11 ga did rot like a big dog…but it suffered from total abuse. NOBODY ever looked under that tank and the Alley Cat has no top so every bit of dust and dirt settled in the fuel tank well and along with the occasional rain and a bit of fuel to attack the paint and that's all she wrote. Sad, because it was totally preventable. That said, I'd much rather weld on metal 1/8 thick. That thin stuff just creeps me out.

[lpcoating]

Hi Randy. Your approach to the repair makes sense to me.

[Weasel M29c]

Thanks LP that is what I am thinking. We will see?

So the front parts aren't here yet so I was thinking about how to get to the area I need to work on ? Was part of some air/cav lifts and it came to me ! I made some adapters and up she went. All clear ! I'm such a stud, NOT !







The brackets are .120" wall 1" x 2" with a 1/2" bolt just to keep it from falling off !

Randy

[rickf]

That is a neat idea. I am still old school and want something under it but I seriously doubt they are going anywhere. I would trust your lift mods a lot more than I would the wheel hubs. MAN! What were they thinking when they welded that thing back together?! You are going to have to cut out a 6 inch wide piece to get to good metal and away from the brass so you can actually weld.

[Weasel M29c]

Thanks Rick.

I will also have 2 poist jacks when I'm under working ! Just in case. ?