I could do that but its not ideal on a car which still has an engine and fluids and everything in it, its more for shells.
** Acme [Akagi] bought a pink estate car - E30 325i project log! **
- Thread starter Akagi
- Start date
On the nearside sill where the whole lower outer sill has been replaced, assuming the weld has good penetration (it does, I can see the inside through the rear wheel arch) - am I OK to grind it back flush with the panel? Its a vanity area and I don't really want to slather it with more filler than I have to. I only want to put on a light skim and sand it back to maintain the line along the sill.
Man of Honour
Yes, it's fine to grind back welds. Use a zirconium flap disc, ideal for this sort of thing.
Not used one of those before, will buy some. 40 grit?
Thought a regular grinding disc would be in order cos its quite a lot of weld to grind?
Thought a regular grinding disc would be in order cos its quite a lot of weld to grind?
Man of Honour
You don't really want to use a grinding disc on visible welds, it's not a precise enough tool to do a good job.
Have a search for a post on Retro Rides called "making panels" or something like that by a bloke called tony bmw, some fantastic bodywork tips.
Edit
http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/70135/panels
Grinding tutorial on page 2
Have a search for a post on Retro Rides called "making panels" or something like that by a bloke called tony bmw, some fantastic bodywork tips.
Edit
http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/70135/panels
Grinding tutorial on page 2
Thanks.
Trouble is, there is meant to be a line/step down there. No idea how I'm gonna maintain that cos the weld is sort of where it should be.....
Best I can think of is grind it flat then re-instate the line with filler and sanding.
If you look back at my pics you should be able to see what I mean?
Trouble is, there is meant to be a line/step down there. No idea how I'm gonna maintain that cos the weld is sort of where it should be.....
Best I can think of is grind it flat then re-instate the line with filler and sanding.
If you look back at my pics you should be able to see what I mean?
Soldato
For driveway repairs fair play mate..
Soldato
As for the line/step, just do without it.. Youll waste hours of your life and it will never look right. Filler it smooth
I'll probably end up doing that, but the top of the side skirt nestles in there. Hopefully it won't look too different compared with the other side...
Soldato
Be easier to trim the skirt I should think.
I'd rather not, the skirts aren't cheap these days. 
Will figure something out though, got plenty of ideas to be getting on with.
Will figure something out though, got plenty of ideas to be getting on with.
Soldato
Looks decent, well done.. Well done on taking pictures that is 
Looks decent, well done.. Well done on taking pictures that is
Haha thanks...
I was also doing some grinding, drilling, cutting, disassembly, stripping underseal and seam sealer, moving wires out of the way of the heat, passing tools, and dabbing out fires. And will also be applying seam sealer, filling, sanding, and painting!
Just I thought I'd better leave the fitment and welding to the professional.
Soldato
Haha thanks...
I was also doing some grinding, drilling, cutting, disassembly, stripping underseal and seam sealer, moving wires out of the way of the heat, passing tools, and dabbing out fires. And will also be applying seam sealer, filling, sanding, and painting!
Just I thought I'd better leave the fitment and welding to the professional.
So you've done most of it and then paid someone to weld it up?
Can't argue with that. Although, welding is the best part. The rest is just annoying!
Ha thanks.
So you've done most of it and then paid someone to weld it up?
Not exactly, for example with the first sill, I got the car up on stands, stripped out the interior, took off the sill covers and the metal re-enforcing bracket where it bolts to the subframe at the back, cleaned it up, then he marked it up, cut it, and cut the repair section to size, and did the same with the inner. Then I painted it, then he welded it up, and now I need to grind the weld flat and skim and sand.
Basically anything which requires skill he does. Cos I don't want to balls it up.
That's a lot of rust
I'm careful not to poke, prod, or indeed kick, anything too hard in this car unless I'm prepared for that to happen!
But nah it wasn't that bad really, there weren't actually any visible holes in the floor pan yet, unlike many!
Soldato
- Joined
- 26 Aug 2003
- Posts
- 24,272
Coming along mate, I like it.
My advice stop justifying what you're doing and just do it. Your money, your car. I've put more money into my car so far than I paid for it and I don't care. I probably spend less money on cars than most 18 year olds with a brand new lease and I get way more attention when I'm out and about!
My advice stop justifying what you're doing and just do it. Your money, your car. I've put more money into my car so far than I paid for it and I don't care. I probably spend less money on cars than most 18 year olds with a brand new lease and I get way more attention when I'm out and about!