Fire Red 4-Speed, Stage 1 Restoration

I am sure John will answer this but, the dash repair was welded solid, as in no glue. (I talked to him about this today.) That is a repair area and not like replacing a panel.

Even the panels that he is gluing on each have areas where they are welded. There are tons of welds he has put on this car.
Duane

 

The dash repairs are all welded. There is no interior, wiring, paint, glass, etc. So welding is a preferred method for this repair.

Panel bond has it's place. I still follow the manufacturer guidelines and weld their recommended areas.

 

So, when I get the rest of the clamps I ordered, I will glue the roof on.

I will still add a weld to each corner of the roof.

Think of it this way. When you plug weld two panels together, the strength of the bond is at every plug weld. Roughly 5/16" diameter every 2-3 inches or so. Over a 10" X 1/2" panel that will be 5 or 6 spot welds, 5/16" in diameter.

Take that same 1/2" flange, 10" long. If you glue it, you have 5 square inches of bonded surface.

The other advantage is, no area to retain moisture. 3M recommends cleaning the bonding surfaces to bare metal. A scotchbrite roloc disc does a fantastic job of this.

First you put a thin coat of adhesive on each surface, using a brush and be careful to cover all of the bare prepared surfaces.

When it comes time to set a panel, you run another bead of adhesive on the mating surface. I like to lean towards the heavy side.

Then just position the panel and clamp or screw in place for 24 hours. You can carefully clean the excess off in about 3-4 hours with a razor blade.

I always glue the two areas on quarter panels where they would have seam-sealer. (Along the bottom, and trunk filler panel.)

Once dried, it can be sanded to resemble factory seam-sealer.

 

I hope Shannon appreciates the quality of work you are doing. Actually chances someone else would have torn into this and walked away, Not for the faint of heart. Cheers and beers to you John.....

 

Thanks for the replies all of you!
I learn new stuff here all the time...

 

He says so every time we speak.

 

Looks great John. Will the Olds require as much metal work?

 

Probably not quite as much. Very little trunk and floor pan work. Rockers are solid on Olds, too. Still will have to hang quarters and make front fender patches.

 

I think, 47 clamps......

 

John, unbelievable attention to detail your work is impeccable. Anybody who would be lucky enough to have you perform a restoration would be rest assured it was done right! Love your incorporation of minimal welding and gluing panels.

 

We can, but it is my favorite garage decoration.....I have had it for decades.

 

John,
Ya know I tried to order some clamps the other day and was told they are on back order………………

 

I was told the same thing. Got them from Summit.

 

Yes.

 

On the final assault of work....left front toe board, and some cleanup on the bottom, weld bottom of quarters, then she is ready for Sean.

 

WOW John this is amazing how quickly you did all this work and with such attention to detail. Absolutely incredible !!!

 

Looks like a brand new body. Should be easier to paint.
Duane