Body Work; I took the plunge
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
Body Work; I took the plunge
Well today I started doing some body repair that the PO's damage... 6 holes on the nose of my hood... So I grabbed the mig and started on the repairs. Had to hit them again for the pin holes I had missed. Tomorrow I need to do a little bit more grinding and smoothing... Today I ordered new clips for the hood spears, the hood name plate, and the nose horse shoes. so need to close up the extra holes. Also work on some dents and each bottom corner of the hood that has a tendancy to crack.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
if u have a piece of copper pipe, smash one end flat to use as a filler behind the hole. the weld won't stick to the copper..
use a magnet to hold it flat or hand to hold the other end of the pipe..
helps keep the added material small.. less grinding
Sam
use a magnet to hold it flat or hand to hold the other end of the pipe..
helps keep the added material small.. less grinding
Sam
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,510
Likes: 27
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Hey Moe, I do my own body work. I have no formal training, but have had worked next to a body shop and worked at a dealership that had a body shop. At first I made quite a few mistakes, I will be the first to ask for advice or help (it's much cheaper). Being a mechanic by trade I learned you need the proper tools for the job. the bodymen I talked to advised me to use good tools for the job, so I went and bought some decent body hammers, dollies, mig welder and stud spot gun. I really hate body work because it takes a long time to see any progress, but I do it anyways. I've learned that to do a good job you must have patience. Like my father-in-law say's "we're not building a piano". If we had "CUBIC DOLLARS" we would not be doing things we are not comfortable doing. Looks like you're doing a bang up job! Keep up the good work
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
Lookin good. You might want to clean up the back side of the weld area. That will make for better penetration so it doesn't crack later. I use a copper like Sam said. Helps prevent "burn out" which could make the hole larger. Keep goin...post pics.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
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From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
Thanks guys, I did use a piece of cooper as a backing when I could... As I did each one it went better... The pics of the welds i showed was me trying to close up the pin holes after I had ground down the first pass. It got to dark to continue last night so I stopped and will have to grind them down today... Thanks for all the encuragement, I hate body work because I not my thing... But I don't have deep pockets that are stuffed with money so it falls in my lap if I want it done...
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
Thanks guys, I did use a piece of cooper as a backing when I could... As I did each one it went better... The pics of the welds i showed was me trying to close up the pin holes after I had ground down the first pass. It got to dark to continue last night so I stopped and will have to grind them down today... Thanks for all the encuragement, I hate body work because I not my thing... But I don't have deep pockets that are stuffed with money so it falls in my lap if I want it done...
looks good, keep going.. I need some motivation!!
Sam
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Senior User
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From: Stony Plain,AB Canada
Sam, you need motovation????? Of all people I'm thinking you motivate most of us here! Whats up??
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,960
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From: East KY
Lookin good Moe. Those holes are tough to fill like that. Show us how it looks after you get it all cleaned up and smoothed out. I'm gonna have to do the same thing to my hood because somebody decided to put one of those big airplane hood ornaments on it decades ago.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
need to get back into the regular pattern..
Sam
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I love doing metal work, especially rust repair. To me you can see results fairly quickly.
Check your work after grinding it smoot by running your entire hand, palm side down, over your work. Don't just use your fingers or finger tips. You'll be able to feel if your panel is straight or wavy. For added sensitivity wear a glove, like the cheap yellow gloves or a piece of clothe between your hand and your work.
Once you start applying filler go thin as possible. Sand smooth and then spray sandable primer from a spray can, let dry. Wrap a piece of fine grade sandpaper around a straight piece of wood, I like using a straight paint stir stick, and block sand your work. the primer will not be sanded out of the low spots, this'll tell you where the low spots are.
Check your work after grinding it smoot by running your entire hand, palm side down, over your work. Don't just use your fingers or finger tips. You'll be able to feel if your panel is straight or wavy. For added sensitivity wear a glove, like the cheap yellow gloves or a piece of clothe between your hand and your work.
Once you start applying filler go thin as possible. Sand smooth and then spray sandable primer from a spray can, let dry. Wrap a piece of fine grade sandpaper around a straight piece of wood, I like using a straight paint stir stick, and block sand your work. the primer will not be sanded out of the low spots, this'll tell you where the low spots are.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
Likes: 3,100
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Best way to find pin holes is to blow off the area with an air hose. Small pin holes can be filled with sandable primer.
One thing I forgot, it's best to spray over the area with epoxy primer first, epoxy primer will bond a lot better to the metal than regular primer.
One thing I forgot, it's best to spray over the area with epoxy primer first, epoxy primer will bond a lot better to the metal than regular primer.
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
Moe your doing great, it took me a long time not blow a hole right thru the sheet metal, b4 i learned about useing copper as a backing ,If I can do it anybody can, and with your talent , I think youll do just fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
Likes: 34
From: Rockingham, VA
Looking good! 
I have yet to start any body work, and I'm not sure I have the necessary skills. I certainly don't have the tools. Looking forward to seeing your truck finished. With that 3rd brake light too!
I have yet to start any body work, and I'm not sure I have the necessary skills. I certainly don't have the tools. Looking forward to seeing your truck finished. With that 3rd brake light too!