Body Work Advice
#1
Body Work Advice
I haven't seen much discussion of sheet metal work on this forum and I've been puzzling over what to do about some damage on my 86 NA.
The car had been hit on the right side behind the passenger door before I bought it. There is no impact on drivability or use of the door, but it's pretty wrinkled up around the rear wheel well.
I have done a little pulling and hammering to get the worst of the dents pushed part way back, but the thick sheet metal and limited access has produced only limited success.
I'd like to get the car looking as near as possible to original without spending tons of money. The car is in pretty good shape and drives well with 150K+ miles (broken ODO gear for the last 2-3K), but will never be a trophy.
My question now is whether to continue to try to straighten the tough sheet metal or just putty it over with bondo? I have very limited sheet metal work experience.
Any advice from those of you with more bodywork experience?
EDIT: This is just a toy car -- no track aspirations, but I'd like to pass it on someday without being ashamed of it.
The car had been hit on the right side behind the passenger door before I bought it. There is no impact on drivability or use of the door, but it's pretty wrinkled up around the rear wheel well.
I have done a little pulling and hammering to get the worst of the dents pushed part way back, but the thick sheet metal and limited access has produced only limited success.
I'd like to get the car looking as near as possible to original without spending tons of money. The car is in pretty good shape and drives well with 150K+ miles (broken ODO gear for the last 2-3K), but will never be a trophy.
My question now is whether to continue to try to straighten the tough sheet metal or just putty it over with bondo? I have very limited sheet metal work experience.
Any advice from those of you with more bodywork experience?
EDIT: This is just a toy car -- no track aspirations, but I'd like to pass it on someday without being ashamed of it.
#2
Rennlist Member
Maybe try a Paintless Dent Removal expert. They can do some pretty amazing things...
#3
Good idea speedy!
Post a picture so we can see the extent of the damage. You might be trying to repair a panel that will never get straight without replacement or massaging from a very talented body guy.
Post a picture so we can see the extent of the damage. You might be trying to repair a panel that will never get straight without replacement or massaging from a very talented body guy.
#4
Paintless repairs are for small cosmetic blemishes. Someone experienced might be able to remove more of the dent than you with the pushing rods paintless guys use but if you are seeking a more cosmetic solution the fact you mentioned bondo indicates a more comprehensive repair. Why not slide by a body shop and have someone look at it, estimates are free and maybe you can work something out if your expectations are less than DD perfection, good luck.
#6
Rennlist Member
Paintless repairs are for small cosmetic blemishes. Someone experienced might be able to remove more of the dent than you with the pushing rods paintless guys use but if you are seeking a more cosmetic solution the fact you mentioned bondo indicates a more comprehensive repair.
Still, if things are bad enough to need real body work, a professional shop is the way to go.
#7
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Calif
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I repaired some pretty deep dents in my 944 - you can press a lot out from the inside through the speaker hole, particularly with some hydraulic help. If you want to do the best work, use a filler like AllMetal rather than bondo - the talc filler in bondo isn't very strong. Be sure to get the paint off and have the underlying metal smooth so the filler will stick well. Also, think about where the metal is stretched so you can work that out as much as you can, it will reduce oil-canning
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#8
Thanks guys,
I think this is way too wrinkled up for a paintless repair. I have punched around through the speaker hole and from the trunk area. I was able to push things out quite a bit, but not far enough to get to original contours and I'll never be able to hammer it out to look good, so some sort of cosmetic surface fill will be needed.
First I've heard of AllMetal -- a quick Google search pops up mixed reviews on it. I'll check it out some more. Thanks for the suggestion.
I'll try to get a body shop estimate -- maybe I can dig up the money to let a pro do it. Maybe...
Thanks again for the advice.
I think this is way too wrinkled up for a paintless repair. I have punched around through the speaker hole and from the trunk area. I was able to push things out quite a bit, but not far enough to get to original contours and I'll never be able to hammer it out to look good, so some sort of cosmetic surface fill will be needed.
First I've heard of AllMetal -- a quick Google search pops up mixed reviews on it. I'll check it out some more. Thanks for the suggestion.
I'll try to get a body shop estimate -- maybe I can dig up the money to let a pro do it. Maybe...
Thanks again for the advice.
#9
Former Vendor
If you have a "friend of a friend" who is a body shop guy you may be able to get him to do it for you on a weekend away from work. Over the years I've found that most are willing to put their talents to work on their off time when the proceeds go directly to them and not the shop.
#10
panel
I could cut you something like this or a partial section of a 1/4 if the shop or your buddies decide a panel is the way to go.
have this 86 car as a donor:
pM me if thats the way it ends up.
K
have this 86 car as a donor:
pM me if thats the way it ends up.
K
#12
It's hard to say without seeing a picture. However - understandable if you don't want to post one on the internet.
Unless you are an expert, I would advise against playing with it anymore, i.e. trying to pop it out. You might just make it worse.
I would have a professional look at it in person. Find a guy who knows how to work with metal, and they should be able to give you a good idea of what needs to be done.
Take care,
Unless you are an expert, I would advise against playing with it anymore, i.e. trying to pop it out. You might just make it worse.
I would have a professional look at it in person. Find a guy who knows how to work with metal, and they should be able to give you a good idea of what needs to be done.
Take care,
#13
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Mar 2004
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given the way these cars are built, and the way the factory uses the corrosion resisting steel, I would very reluctant to cut/weld if I could avoid it - a decent brand of filler will hold up for the life of the car