Sometimes it's best not to look...

[ChrisS]

So winter is here and I really need to get a decent coat of paint on the street car. The passenger side rocker was showing some bliustering so I figured I'd investigate. This is what the rocker looked like this summer - not bad but the paint is horrible.

So I sandblasted the blister at the rear wheel to reveal this, again not bad and I can weld a patch in easily.

But then there is the fact that there was no dody line where the A pillar meets the sill. You know there is body filler there but hope that the door strap came loose and the DPO put a crease in the skin. You hope.

But then you find rivets and sheet metal the thickness of a beer can. No beer though.

So you do the right thing and drill out the rivets. You wish it was summer; you cant see the passenger side sill when you are driving anyway.

Time for a new panel I guess.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Hey, I've got a PS that isn't quite that bad, a repair patch panel will fix but my DS was that bad, sure looked good before the bondo and paint bubbled up. BTDT.

 

[vagt6]

Holy cow, lotsa (relatively poor) body work done there!

You gotta view it as an opportunity to do the job correctly. So done, it will last another 40 years or so.

Good luck, sounds like you have the wherewithall to do it right!

Keep us posted with photos, maybe a documentary on how you did it.

 

[scubabatdan]

Whoa, what a can o worms there. Makes me wonder what is lurking under my paint on my 74 I am gonna find when I sodablast it down. Already figure on going do to the frame anyway, hope it isnt that bad!

Make sure you sandblast the crap out of it and/or use a etching/inhibiter/encapsulator to stop it from comming back futher down the road.

Good luck, would like to see the the updates/ inprogress pics...
Dan

 

[ChrisS]

Yes I'm going to document this better than my last one. It needed all new floors and sills but it was free (OK $50 but I sold the roll bar that is under the car for $125). This is after the floors and rockers were repaired

and this is after paint

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Bummer!

Better Draw a line in the sand that you won't cross. Otherwise you'll end up restoring the whole car.

 

[ChrisS]

I won't...
__________________________________________________________________

who's kidding who, I'll do anything.

 

[tony barnhill]

WOO HOO! Ground up restoration! Strip that body shell & sand blast it to see what else is lurking underneath all that paint.

 

[drooartz]

Chris, I've got to say that this is the very reason that I haven't looked to closely at the bubbles under the paint on the Tunebug's A-pillars. I know that they'll have to be addressed some day, but the dry climate I'm in means that I've still got some time. Once you get in there, it's hard not to go all out.

Good luck with your repair work!

 

[texas_bugeye]

love the hidden stuff on mine they fabbed a chunk over the rotten stuff and tons of bondo.
Starting about half way back of the door to the wheel well opening. I found the same story on the other side and the floors and the trunk.. and it goes on and on.

 

[JamesWilson]

Best not to look... but you'll still know what's there.... :hammer:

 

[ChrisS]

Wednesday night progress. I removed the bulk of the rocker.

and looked at what else was covered up. This is a before and after of the outer foot well.
Before:

After:

Your can see the outline where the patches were riveted inside the foot well.

And the spot weld removal.

The goal is to get it cleaned up this weekend and get the outer foot well panel and inner sill patched up.

 

[GeeBee1]

That looks very common :wink:

Pat

 

[bugimike]

I'm afraid that if I go down that road, I will not have much of a car left!!! A 50 year old car that has seen much neglect and poor workmanship is a scary prospect. I'm hoping to hit the Lotto and buy one of these...

https://www.sebringsprite.com/bodyshell.htm

...to hang all the parts and ID plate from my current albatross

 

[PHerder]

You will have a 1 year wait if you order NOW!

I asked ...

:frown:

 

[texas_bugeye]

I found that the parts are plentyful and not to bad as far the price. I sure the boys here will point you in the rite direction for what you need. I found that the time spent trying to fab some of the panels is just not worth it buy panels. Just make sure to support the car well take measurments and take your time putting it back togather. Remember it's the only thing between you the road and another car. 70% chance its got ABS, air bags, and a fool at the wheel.

 

[John Moore]

Chris,

Looks good! I'm sure I would do the same thing... I certainly did with my B!

I really need to get to work on my Bugeye... Keep going man!

 

[jlaird]

I think we all would like one for Christmas. Please please.

 

[BugEyeBear]

It IS amazing what can be discovered under a pretty coat of paint/bondo/undercoat.

Nothing there that can't be fixed!

I often wonder how many "Freshly Restored" cars on eBay have similar hidden discoveries for the winning bidder.
I often commend the seller who honestly points out ALL defects and questionable areas in advance for the potential buyer.
And I usually doubt the short-term owner that insists his bargain-priced car is "rust-free", "runs perfect", & "needs nothing"!
As they say, "IF it seems too good to be true, it probably IS!".

(THAT SAID, I've been VERY LUCKY with the cars that I've bought long distance... This is probably because I usually buy cars that have a long history with a knowledgeable owner, rather than a "pretty" car with unknown history. I also take the time & expense to do a 1st hand inspection of anything that looks questionable. This has saved me on more than one occasion from making a poor purchase.)

Keep Up the Good Work!!
Before long it will be better than new!

"Cheers!"

-Bear-

 

[RocknTommy]

Time for a new panel I guess.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Mine is the same.
I need to learn how to weld.</span>