sikora

I'm almost at the stage in my XR2i project where i'll start replacing panels. I'll be replacing wings, sills, rear quarters, front panel and rear valance. I'm a welder by trade to i'm happy to do the work, however i'n inexperianced when it comes to welding cars.

Once i've stripped the panels off and tidyed up any rust i see, am i best getting it all properly painted (primer & topcoat) or will zinc galv spray do? (which i can get from work). another option i have is to use the stuff i'm using on the underside http://www.rust.co.uk/epoxy-mastic.cfm
I dont have a compressor so any painting will be from rattle cans or a tin.
As for the back of the panels i weld on. Is the black paint panels come in good enough to be left alone? I'm sure some of it will burn off near the welds, which i can use weld through primer on. Been told its not good stuff for coating panels with though due to poor adhesion.

Will be using Hadrian panels. Anyone had experiance with these? Been told they're a good fit. Will probably replace the rear quarters to half way up the B and C pillars. I'll butt weld where they join and flatten with a polishing disc.
Once i've finished welding and grinding back, can i use a 2 pack primer to protect the bare metal? I think it was cellulose primer/paint that a bodyshop told me years ago that wasn't good for painting over.

Finally, any other advice or tips you can offer me? I'm happy with doing the welding and know about progressive welding to prevent distorsion. I just need to remember to be a little more delicate than what welding/fabrication i do in work

thanks in advance

Dan

dingla rs

iTrader: (2)

any panel you weld on needs a etch primer on before you primer the car ,etch before any filler work were you join the quaters ,look throw peoples threads to get a better idear mate

rs tingle

iTrader: (1)

you can get some u pol in a spray can zinc weld through primer it cost me £16 for a can

sikora

I have some U pol etch primer i was going to use for the underneath for when i've done the welding. Can i use this as the only coat for any repairs under the rear quarter panel?

Wont be going any proper filler and primer work on the outside of the car, i just want to protect it before it goes to the bodyshop. Might be a couple of months sitting in my garage you see

dingla rs

iTrader: (2)

yes thats better than zinc coat mate

rs tingle

iTrader: (1)

i dont think ya can use normal primer where ya will be welding as it wont ark thats why the special zinc weld through is good as it allows ya to prime the panel where ya welding an not have to grind it of to plug or spot weld

dingla rs

iTrader: (2)

you could always use the zinc on the edge you welding an etch were your not welding then after you ground down welds etch primer then seal up

sikora

I'll be using weld through primer for inbetween surfaces that are to be welded. I'll use etch primer for bare metal inside the rear quarter panel thats been repaired as theres bound to be rust. I dont want to go mad buying loads of cans of £15 cans of etch primer though for everything, but if it really is the best option i'll stick to that

dingla rs

iTrader: (2)

no need do inbetween as you can wax oil from inside car if take interior pannels off ,15quid exspensive is that from a motor factors or a bodyshop supply store ? i pay a quid a can but thats at a auto jumble ,at body shop suppliers near me its 5 quid a can

sikora

Thats what my local paint shop sell it at (u-pol acid #8) Seems to be the going rate on ebay too for the same stuff

rs tingle

iTrader: (1)

it is expensive stuff an yeah the acid 8 is the stuff i used gud stuff in my opinion

sikora

What about the back of the new panels? Is the black paint good enough to leave as it is?

sikora

Any one else with any advice to give?

tabetha

Hadrian panels are a very good fit, any panel will need a little fettling to get best fit, I have these on my sapphy.
tabetha

Ryan_3

mate, seeing that these are not original panels, u have to sand them down to bare metal, then etch primer and filler. You must do it like this as the black coating is only shipping primer. it WILL rust in time if you dont sand it down to baremetal.

get yourself an orbital sander and an 80 grit sandpaper, and ure done. or get some paint remover but the sandpaper is the better option mate.

sikora

Are original Ford panels coated differently then?

kidsRS

iTrader: (6)

weld your panels on and send it to a body shop

Ryan_3

yes, you can sand them down a bit and apply filler on them.

but im a fussy fuker and if it was my car I would remove the primer and start fresh.