Thanks Everyone,

[W4yne]

I have said it before and will say it again. "Great work Redwine." The step by step photo's, information and tips are a great reference for anybody wanting to have a go at some DIY repairs to their own vehicles. The pictures speak a thousand words and are better and more helpful than I have seen on a lot of "so called professional DIY car body repair websites".

Keep up the great work Redwine!

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Just a little tip for future - Buy a ruler; There are better ways to measure "six inches" than this....

8-)

 

[Sphinx]

aaaaand back to fruit.

Banana

 

[redwine300]

Managed to get a few hours in today thanks to the kind weather. I finished off the top section of the wheel arch repair before succumbing to the elements.

I am not sure if it would have made any difference, but I decided to plug weld the edge of the arch before finishing off the tacks above. I figured it would hold it more firmly and limit distortion. By the way Malcolm, those small G cramps from Axminster are a god send.

I tried a method, Recommended by Chickenjohn, with regards to scraping the weld through primer from the lower panel before welding the plugs. I have to say, Worked a treat! Thanks Chickenjohn.

I have touched on this before, I decided to make a concerted effort with regards to the positioning of the welder, Allowing me to have a smooth and only slightly curved torch lead during each stage of the weld. I kept all my previous setting as i would normally use and found the improvement to be remarkable. even when welding upside down. (Big thanks to Keith19)

I have included some pictures and I think you will agree, That taking time to get the unit in the correct position rather than making do,as I have done in the past, really does make a difference. I feel I have made a real step forward.

 

[katbloke]

Hope you dont mind, im gonna post a link to this thread on my williams website, as my arches are shot too this work far exceeds what was done by the bodyshop that charged me 1k

 

[redwine300]

I don't mind at all,
A grand? I must be in the wrong job.
Hope they like the post by the way.
Also, I hope that it will be O.K. with both groups of moderators?. I wouldn't want to upset anyone.

 

[katbloke]

All good from the admins on my site (im one of them )

 

[redwine300]

After a couple of hours grinding back the welds, i prepped for filler. Having taken on board previous advice from my earlier attempts, I added a little less this time, saved a lot of time and elbow grease. albeit i did have to fill a couple of low areas after my initial sanding.

The weather was just above freezing so had to apply a little heat with the aid of my hot air gun to speed up the hardening process of the filler, seemed to work OK so long as i was careful not to over heat it.

After a little while sanding, I managed to get the area primed with acid etch primer leaving the repair ready for sanding prior to high build primer.

 

[keith19]

Excellent work, Redwine! You continue to inspire.

But using filler at near-freezing is something I have doubts about; we were taught not to use filler below 10C or 50F, unless the vehicle was about to be moved into the warm. Hope the hot air gun did the job okay! It looks real good so far.
Keith

 

[barrygibson]

She's coming on now lad.This truly is and inspirational thread mate.
I cannot wait to see you get this baby back on the road where she belongs.
Only downside is we wont have your most excellent thread to follow
...................................unless??? lol

 

[Sphinx]

When you come to get this painted, which won't be long now by the looks of it, maybe ask if they will do a 'two for one' and I'll put my car in too

Looking grape

 

[Chickenjohn]

Great work again, Redwine!

BTW, I will only work indoors in this weather, is your garage too small to get the car in and work on it?

 

[redwine300]

I share your concerns Keith19 with regards to filler at low temperatures, I guess I am just eager to get her finished I suppose. On the face of it, it did appear to harden OK. i was very gentle with the heat and let it warm up gradually, i also added a little more hardener than usual just in case. Thanks for your compliments by the way.

Barrygibson, thanks also for your encouraging comments, I know what you mean about her being nearly done, I am looking forward to it in one respect but dreading it in another, I won't know what to do with myself. Mind you, my daughter (aged 11) wants a pink convertible beetle for when she's old enough. Maybe that is next.

Like the idea of 2 for 1 respray Sphinx, we should touch on it again nearer the time. Geography might be a bit of a problem but i am up for it.

By the way Chickenjohn, sadly my garage is just about big enough to park the car in I'm afraid, mores the pity. Glad you like the project so far. Yours and everyone else's compliments really do help me to get out there and crack on. thanks all.

PS I shall be tackling the lower section of the wheel-arch in the next couple of days, weather permitting, hasn't stopped me to much so far.

 

[redwine300]

Not much in the way of welding I'm afraid. just cutting and prepping with a little sheet metal work.
Initial stripping back was a bit of a scare, a little worse than i first thought. but as I have found out previously, it usually is, so i shouldn't be surprised really.
I would mention to anyone contemplating this sort of thing for the first time, try and leave some sort of reference points with regards to where panels end and meet each other. they may be a bit flimsy but they are invaluable. (once the metal has gone it is gone for good.)
I hope to get some welding done this coming week end, apparently it might get above freezing, yippeeeeee.

 

[Sphinx]

Keep it up mate! This is the first thread I check every time I come on here and it never disappoints.
Out of interest, was the car an import or has it always been in the UK?

 

[katbloke]

Keep it up mate! This is the first thread I check every time I come on here and it never disappoints.
Out of interest, was the car an import or has it always been in the UK?

Me too, i just wish he lived nearer

 

[redwine300]

Cheers Sphinx and Katbloke,
It is appreciation like yours and all the other interested members etc' that help me keep the motivation going.
Hopefully i will be able to finish off the driver's side rear arch this coming weekend, so hopefully will be able to post a lot more welding along with primer etc'. (wife permitting), apparently we are supposed to put decorations up at Christmas.
Sorry Sphinx, I forgot to say, she is a uk model, a rusty one to say the least.

 

[tux]

.......... she is a uk model, a rusty one to say the least.

Its Japanese isn't it? I thought all Jap cars were made from rust at the factory!

On a less flippant note, I'm another one who is in awe of your skills especially as (if memory serves) you were a complete novice at the start of the project? Keep it up fella, it makes for great entertainment.

 

[Will1983]

just read this whole thread from beginning to end, what a really good write up!
very in depth detail and great photographs, makes me want to go out to the garage and start on my project car even though its 00:30!!

keep up the good work and the posts redwine

p.s. jap cars rock!

 

[redwine300]

Hi Tux, I am beginning to think you might be right about the rust theory, the more I think I have found the last of it, I come across more!
Thanks for your compliments by the way,and yes, your memory serves you right. I had not handled a welder of any kind prior to tackling this. The journey so far has only been possible due to the help and advise I have received from this site.
Will1983 Glad you enjoyed the read, I appreciate your compliments and hope it will be of some use to you as you get into your project. What have you in mind? Japanese by any chance?