Bodywork and Restoration Help!!
08-05-2011, 02:57 PM
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Bodywork and Restoration Help!!
Rite heres the lowdown i have FINALLY started my trackday project in the form of my MK4 escort bonus and i desperately need some advice.
Im looking to do a lot of the restoration and bodywork preparation work myself to keep costs down for one and also because im really keen to get into as i will undoubtably take on one project after another.
Basically im stuck on how to, what to and why to do all the processes involved in restoring the bodywork back to an exacting standard. Ive been looking at books on the internet and some of the projects on here but nothing is realli telling me whats what.
Basically i need to how to's, all the necessary equipment involved in doing everything from sanding, welding, rust proofing and cutting and welding so everything except paintwork as i have someone doing this for me at a decent price. Any personal tips on stuff is also very welcome and websites or shops for books, how to's and well priced equipment would be great.
Now i no some of you will be thinking self prep is a big ask for a novice and i will probably balls it up but dont worry im very capable and im quite the perfectionist when it comes to anything i do.
Im looking to get started as soon as i have the information i need so any advice is extremely welcome as ive had the car for 2 years now and its driving me mad just looking at it.
Cheers for looking.
Ben
Im looking to do a lot of the restoration and bodywork preparation work myself to keep costs down for one and also because im really keen to get into as i will undoubtably take on one project after another.
Basically im stuck on how to, what to and why to do all the processes involved in restoring the bodywork back to an exacting standard. Ive been looking at books on the internet and some of the projects on here but nothing is realli telling me whats what.
Basically i need to how to's, all the necessary equipment involved in doing everything from sanding, welding, rust proofing and cutting and welding so everything except paintwork as i have someone doing this for me at a decent price. Any personal tips on stuff is also very welcome and websites or shops for books, how to's and well priced equipment would be great.
Now i no some of you will be thinking self prep is a big ask for a novice and i will probably balls it up but dont worry im very capable and im quite the perfectionist when it comes to anything i do.
Im looking to get started as soon as i have the information i need so any advice is extremely welcome as ive had the car for 2 years now and its driving me mad just looking at it.
Cheers for looking.
Ben
08-05-2011, 03:48 PM
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Almost factory i will probably be making some minor modifications in places in the aim of saving weight like chopping out the spare wheel well as it wont be needed but yes to answer your question back to factory fully rust protected and sprayed.
08-05-2011, 09:58 PM
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Surely someone can help me on this lol Im probably gonna end up buyin a couple of Haynes manuals on bodywork and guessing on sanders and equipment so any advice is greatly appreciated.
08-05-2011, 10:07 PM
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With welding,the best tip I was given is get both areas spotlessly clean and buy the best welder you can get.
Some spotweld drill bits from machinemart are also amazing,their springloaded with a little claw that comes out and cuts around the actual weld,makes it really clean then.
Air sanders,grinders,sundries etc,get what you can,2nd hand is fine as so many people start projects with the best of intentions yet never complete them hence the stuffs as new,good bargains to be had.
Some spotweld drill bits from machinemart are also amazing,their springloaded with a little claw that comes out and cuts around the actual weld,makes it really clean then.
Air sanders,grinders,sundries etc,get what you can,2nd hand is fine as so many people start projects with the best of intentions yet never complete them hence the stuffs as new,good bargains to be had.
08-05-2011, 10:30 PM
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Thanks for the quick reply mate so what makes would u recommend as far as tools are concerned? I was thinking of goin with electric power tools not air tools but what are the benefits/drawbacks of both. What sort of welder is recommended for bodywork aswell as I'm not clued up on welders. Any books or step by step guides u would recommend?
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08-05-2011, 10:59 PM
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There's a mig welding forum which was full of good advice when I last looked but really,practice makes perfect with welding,it's really that simple,there's tips and tricks to do it but good clean steel,0.6/0.8 mig wire,gas and way to go.
If you plug weld,which is basically drilling a hole in the new panel and welding to the good original metal,like riveting it on but with welding then it's pretty easy,the seam welding is far harder as it's a continuous run but it could be "stitched" which is basically a long line of tacks to give a seam weld,just not as neatly.
A lot of it's in the grinding back,seamsealing,smoothing and finishing,it's amazing how well this can improve average welding.
Elect power tools are fine,although if your working for a very long period,air can be better but as you need a big compressor it can be an unwanted cost.
Tools wise,invest in a really good cordless drill (screwfix is best),OKISH grinder,best d/a sander you can afford that takes hookit discs and a really good welder,the Clarke stuff is ok,but there's a world of difference with say a mac tools,snap on or even a sealy.
Try the freeads for a welder as again it's an item that someone buys,uses twice and leaves in the shed until the missus says "get it on eBay"!!!!!
If you plug weld,which is basically drilling a hole in the new panel and welding to the good original metal,like riveting it on but with welding then it's pretty easy,the seam welding is far harder as it's a continuous run but it could be "stitched" which is basically a long line of tacks to give a seam weld,just not as neatly.
A lot of it's in the grinding back,seamsealing,smoothing and finishing,it's amazing how well this can improve average welding.
Elect power tools are fine,although if your working for a very long period,air can be better but as you need a big compressor it can be an unwanted cost.
Tools wise,invest in a really good cordless drill (screwfix is best),OKISH grinder,best d/a sander you can afford that takes hookit discs and a really good welder,the Clarke stuff is ok,but there's a world of difference with say a mac tools,snap on or even a sealy.
Try the freeads for a welder as again it's an item that someone buys,uses twice and leaves in the shed until the missus says "get it on eBay"!!!!!
08-05-2011, 11:30 PM
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There's a mig welding forum which was full of good advice when I last looked but really,practice makes perfect with welding,it's really that simple,there's tips and tricks to do it but good clean steel,0.6/0.8 mig wire,gas and way to go.
If you plug weld,which is basically drilling a hole in the new panel and welding to the good original metal,like riveting it on but with welding then it's pretty easy,the seam welding is far harder as it's a continuous run but it could be "stitched" which is basically a long line of tacks to give a seam weld,just not as neatly.
A lot of it's in the grinding back,seamsealing,smoothing and finishing,it's amazing how well this can improve average welding.
Elect power tools are fine,although if your working for a very long period,air can be better but as you need a big compressor it can be an unwanted cost.
Tools wise,invest in a really good cordless drill (screwfix is best),OKISH grinder,best d/a sander you can afford that takes hookit discs and a really good welder,the Clarke stuff is ok,but there's a world of difference with say a mac tools,snap on or even a sealy.
Try the freeads for a welder as again it's an item that someone buys,uses twice and leaves in the shed until the missus says "get it on eBay"!!!!!
If you plug weld,which is basically drilling a hole in the new panel and welding to the good original metal,like riveting it on but with welding then it's pretty easy,the seam welding is far harder as it's a continuous run but it could be "stitched" which is basically a long line of tacks to give a seam weld,just not as neatly.
A lot of it's in the grinding back,seamsealing,smoothing and finishing,it's amazing how well this can improve average welding.
Elect power tools are fine,although if your working for a very long period,air can be better but as you need a big compressor it can be an unwanted cost.
Tools wise,invest in a really good cordless drill (screwfix is best),OKISH grinder,best d/a sander you can afford that takes hookit discs and a really good welder,the Clarke stuff is ok,but there's a world of difference with say a mac tools,snap on or even a sealy.
Try the freeads for a welder as again it's an item that someone buys,uses twice and leaves in the shed until the missus says "get it on eBay"!!!!!
08-05-2011, 11:38 PM
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Bodywork is not something that can be learned by reading about it or watching vids. You really need to do it yourself before you can understand the practices involved. No panel beater/sprayer will give anyone a quote without seeing the car first as each job is different to the next. Can you post some pics up of any areas you think need work?
09-05-2011, 10:55 PM
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Cheers for all the sound advice vaughant I can see u savin me sum pennies! Dingle rs I have read a few of the projects and as good as they are they don't really tell me what I need to hear. I just need a bit of guidance really, rikochet I no that the only way to learn is to do but I just need a head start on some basic info really. I think I'm gona buy a book and some tools and just see where I end up.
Cheers for all the comments guys keep them coming.
Cheers for all the comments guys keep them coming.
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