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Rust hole wisdom

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jjbunn

jjbunn

Jedi Knight
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Here is a photo of an area of rust on the passenger side, just in front of the rear wheel arch. I prodded and poked out this hole as much as I could with a screwdriver, but the rust probably extends further.

338951157_d82aae9d80.jpg


I don't have any welding gear, and don't really want to invest in any just for this job. Can I repair it without welding? Or should I bite the bullet and take it to a body shop? What should I expect to pay for a repair like this?
 
well, depends on how bad it is behind the panel. The panel itself can be fixed without welding. You could cut it out and glue a new one in with some of the super strong adhesives some of the guys on the board have talked about in the past. I think Doc repaired a dog leg with glue?

However, from what I hear, if it looks like that on the outside the inside is most likely in worse condition, because they 'rust from the inside out'. Either way, it may be a bit of work to get it back into good condition inside and out.
 
Better to go to the body shop and get the bad news now.....take care of it because what you can't see is much worse in most cases than what is visible...
 
Sad but true. The inner sills are likely bad as well. My inners had been replaced and the outer skin(s) patched. No clue why it went that way. I suspect from the evidence this was a "four-in-one" repair: I've found different original colors on different pieces of the car. It had been smashed front and rear, then "restored" by some outfit in Chicago area in the early '80's, from what I've been told. I think they used exterior panels from cars lying around in their lot. Who knows... 40-odd years and ~anything~ is possible. Should name it "AllSorts"!

Harold will likely need some major surgery to insure his structural integrity.
 
That much rust in the dog leg says the rocker behind it is probably bad - not necessarily the sills though

Remember: MG's rust from the inside out!

Only way to find out is cut the offending piece out - but, first, get a dogleg panel to use as a pattern when cutting.
 
Rust is kind of like an iceberg- you only see the top 10%.

Take it to a GOOD body shop.

Or shove some cardboard into the hole for backing and put a skim of bondo on and a lick of paint then offer it on e-bay as a restored, rust free practically perfect gem... just needing a little TLC....

Oh, I do miss that devil icon.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Know what ya mean, James. Know what ya mean. Me too.
 
JamesWilson said:
Rust is kind of like an iceberg- you only see the top 10%.

Take it to a GOOD body shop.

Or shove some cardboard into the hole for backing and put a skim of bondo on and a lick of paint then offer it on e-bay as a restored, rust free practically perfect gem... just needing a little TLC....

Oh, I do miss that devil icon.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Click to expand...

OK, point taken :smile:

But, on the other hand, if the rust isn't structural, and the goal is to get a long-lasting invisible finish, then do I need a body shop?

And if I do need a body shop, what is the damage likely to be? Are we talking a hundred, or hundreds, or thousands?
 
I have body panels for a 72 MBG-GT that are new in the boxes. I don't know if they are the same but you could get all 4 for a song and dance (I get to lead). If you are interested E-mail me @ beachbumbarry@msn.com . I can send you some pictures.
BeachB
 
beachbumbarry said:
I have body panels for a 72 MBG-GT that are new in the boxes. I don't know if they are the same but you could get all 4 for a song and dance (I get to lead). If you are interested E-mail me @ beachbumbarry@msn.com . I can send you some pictures.
BeachB
Click to expand...

PM sent!
 
Maybe a $1000.00 or more depending on how much has to be cut out and replaced. IMOP, a "body shop" can not do this level of repair it will take a restoration shop to do it properly.--Fwiw--Keoke
 
Keoke said:
Maybe a $1000.00 or more depending on how much has to be cut out and replaced. IMOP, a "body shop" can not do this level of repair it will take a restoration shop to do it properly.--Fwiw--Keoke
Click to expand...

Really ... that much? Bad news indeed: that sort of money is not in my budget at all.

I'm very conscious of the weird economics of restoring one of these cars: I spent $900 on the car itself, and probably so far another $500-$600 on parts. There's still a lot to do: that patch of rust is the worst of the problems (as far as I know!), but there are other things to fix. I'm doing it for fun, but a $1000 bill certainly takes the edge off the enjoyment, if you know what I mean /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif
 
Julian, The fun comes after all the bills are paid just do not keep track of them.---Keoke
 
Keoke said:
Julian, The fun comes after all the bills are paid just do not keep track of them.---Keoke
Click to expand...

What I need is a Stiff Upper Lip until then :smile:
 
Oh goodness, do not keep track of the bills. Takes all the fun out of it. My comment to wife is 10K but I really have no idea. And you know what, she may care but I don't, not at all.

Everyone should have a toy, right?

In fact I don't know what I did with my time before Miss Agatha came along. Looking back it was just a dark hole between my sail boat and Miss Agatha.
 
I've always gone into a restoration with the full intent not to keep track of what it costs...I do, however, spread most of my restorations out over several years...

One thing to remember: To do it right will cost more than you can get out of the car were you to sell it - especially if you pay somebody to do it for you!

This might be time to reconsider your primary thesis about not wanting to buy welding equipment - it will probably pay for itself on this 1 repair.
 
But Tony, anyone that does half a dozen restorations at the same time is bound to loose track of the costs. That's a good thing.

Wonder how Jay Leno does it? Supose he has an accountant that tracks parts and time on each vehicle.
 
Jack, I just work on one when the mood hits - & right now I'm in the mood to drive my TD & V8 car...TD is real close to paint as is V8 car...one at Ricky's here in area, one in Mississippi at shop....it'll be a race to see which comes out first!
 
Oh boy, I see a spring road trip to your house. Miss Agatha is going to need a buff out and a door repair that we missed in any case.

Oh wait, I will need a trailer first, hehe. Oh wait I need to get her finished first. Oh gesh, whos on second.
 
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