I got the N/S/F arch fitted today. Obviously, it was a pattern part and didn't want to fit too well but after some questions as to its parentage and general swearing, it went in quite well.
The pressing itself, particularly toward the front, was poor, meaning that the swage line wasn't there and the arch seam itself didn't have the correct curvature. Rather that trying to sort it out beforehand,I decided to weld it in so at least it was rigid and then sorted it out from there. It needs another hour or so more dressing to get it how I'd like, so I will do that tomorrow..
I puddle welded the seam against the original part of the arch so the filler join on top is as small as I could get it to be. I also flowed some 2 pack etch primer into the seam joints and allowed it to dry before re-sanding the areas to be filled so at least there is some decent protection inside and around the welds.
This is what it looked like after 20 minutes of some dolly, hammer and file work. the bits of brown coloured primer are still low spots which I can dress and file tomorrow. I dont like using body filler unless I really have to and doing it this way leaves as much or perhaps more, new metal in place as a grinder is a bit too aggressive at times...
The lower rear section of the arch. The swage lines were nigh on gone from pressing, so after some more dolly and file work, the swage is almost correct again.
An image of the front inner part of the arch. I like to wire brush the still red hot welds in these sort of areas so as to remove all the old sealer and crud, in readiness for some etch primer,seam-sealer, underseal/wax, etc. The two tack welds are there to hold the panel still and helped to be hot enough to wire brush the old sealer away. If you dont remove the sealer, a] you can get surrounded by some evil smelling fumes and b] subsequent new welds will be ruined as the seam-sealer gases get into the mig-weld pool. For more inaccesable places, I like to use a mule skinner on a drill, that soon removes the crud and old sealer too. Wear the usual gloves, mask and eye protection too.
The joint up to the B post. This part of the van,and it looked original, had a slight bulge in the panel. I think it was made like that during production, and being white, wasn't too easy to spot at most angles. So, I've dressed this and filed the bulge so its almost ready for primer.
I'll finish this off tomoroow and start on the front lower panel as that's badly rusted, and then whip the windscreen out and repair the rust scabs under the rubber.
Doug.
Ducks head... Or, maybe VW L289 Blue-White or Brunswick blue L1018...
