Ablecraft 1998 Ford Ranger passenger side wheel arch repair "Day4, part 6 "Evaluating Progress"

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 1 січ 2025
  • Ablecraft's 1998 Ford Ranger otherwise known as "The Learning Vehicle" TLV for short is having the truck bed passenger side wheel arch repaired. I used the pick hammer to discover where all the weak metal and rust is along the wheel arch. An Angle grinder with a grinder wheel and cut off wheel were used to cut out the rust.
    The inner structure of the wheel arch needed repair due to rust. I used blue masking tape to create a template with a black marker to trace hole. The blue masking tape template was transferred to sheet metal and a patch was formed. The inner patch was welded into the inner wheel arch structure.
    The outer wheel arch patch was measured by using a micrometer to get the inside and outside measurements on a piece of 1/16th sheet metal. A 4.5" angle grinder cut the measured patch from the sheet metal. The patch was held in a vise to be formed by a metal file and body hammer. Welding of the patch consisted of spot welds and the voltage setting on the welder was B and wire speed 4. .030 Vulcan Flux core wire was spooled from the gun.
    The outer wheel arch patch was rewelded using a cut and but welding technique. I decided after previously lap welding the patch utilizing the cut and, but welding technique will have a better overall appearance.
    The repair patch and surrounding metal area needed hammer and dolly work to be prepared for Bondo filler. I used and assortment of dollies to help bring out the contour and convex lines in the metal by hammering. The dolly and hammering also significantly reduced high spots in the metal and raised low spots. The overall intent of the hammer and dolly work is to make the panel flat.
    The Bondo filler process consists of using a spreader and applying the Bondo filler directly to the panel. I will let it almost fully harden and prick the Bondo with a fingernail. Then I will use a Surform flat file to remove the excess Bondo. The Surform file saves on 40 grit sanding paper and quickly levels the Bondo on the patch surface prior to sanding.
    The sanding process of the Bondo is as follows. I block sand with 36 or 40 grit sanding paper on a sanding board or rubber block. The 40 grit sandpaper is abrasive enough to level the Bondo filler to the panel. I'm careful to stop sanding when high spot in the metal is contacted why sanding. Then I use a body hammer to knock down those high spots. During the course of sanding, you will discover low and high spots and more Bondo filler will need to be applied to the panel.
    After the base Bondo filler has been sanded smooth with 40 grit sanding paper. I use 80 grit sanding paper to remove the 40 grit sanding scratches and begin feather edging the outer edges of the patch. 80 grit sandpaper allows a smooth sanding transition when preparing the panel for finishing sanding.
    Tools:
    1/16th thick sheet metal
    7-piece Maddox autobody set
    Bondo Original Filler
    4.5" Angle grinder
    Hercules brand Type 27 metal grinding wheel
    Warrior brand metal cut off wheel 3/64th thick
    safety glasses
    disposable ear plugs
    Auto darkening Welder helmet
    Titanium 125 Easy Flux Core welder
    Welding gloves
    Pittsburgh Automotive 500 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart
    spring clamps
    vice
    straight cut aviation snips
    Vulcan 0.030 in. E71T-GS Flux Core Welding Wire
    4-piece Pittsburgh Autobody spreader
    Stanely 21-293 Surform flat file
    Hercules sandpaper (40 grit, 60 grit, 80 grit, 100 grit, 120 grit, 220 grit, 320 grit and 500 grit)

КОМЕНТАРІ •