8 replies to this topic

[Bam]

I am thinking of deseaming the lip that the rear bumper used to fit onto. I've heard that you cut off 6 inches at a time and seam weld and hammer it in as you go along then fill over the top to get it smooth. Can anyone who has done this before give me a more detailed explanation as I do not want to go wrong and ruin the look of my mini.

[Jordie]

That is the common method used yes. I am not a welder so cannot give any detail on this but some people add plates on the underside of the panels for extra strength.

Just been done



*Note* I had brand new valence, rear corner repairs and new boot floor all done at time of de-seaming.


After Paint

[Bam]

Thanks for youre advice. the only thing that i am woried about is that my exhaust might get damaged as it will stick out quite alot. i will be rallying my mini when it is finished being restored i will also use it on the road.
thanks for youre help.

[Jordie]

Have the exhaust bent up. Or alternatively, cut down the centre pipe and mount the back box further under the car on custom bracket so the exhaust only comes to the rear valence.

Just an idea...

Mine sticks out quite far as you can see, it looked fine when i had the bumper etc. But i aint gunna mess about with fabricating new brackets, as its only a weekend car (well when its finished...)

[Bam]

That seems like a good idea. my back box is a pourche style an is polished chrome so i would be worried about it geting it scratched. i will try to get some pitchures of it when it is finished.

[Teapot]

my back box is a pourche style an is polished chrome so i would be worried about it geting it scratched.

Excuse me, :tongue: but if you're going rallying, there's no need to worry because it WILL get scratched and probably bent

[Bam]

Good point, if i don't role it once a season then i am not trying hard enough!

[Guess-Works.com]

Why deseam the rear bubper if your using the car for motor sport, I suspect it'll get banged around, bent etc, and the panel replacement becomes 10 times harder if it's de seamed...

If you want to loose the bumper, and reduce the size of the lip, a mate did this, redcing it to the same as the seams up the side. perfectly acceptable and does mean you dont have to seam weld the boot floor to the rear valance and back panel.

But if you do want to de seam, this is how I've done it..

Seam weld the rear panel to the boot floor from inside the boot from wheel arch to wheel arch. this means there will be no movement in the back end of the car as you grind the seam off...

Start at one arch, and grind/cut a couple of inches of the seam off, then weld it back up, and then continue the grind/weld process untill youve done the lot.

You may find that the valance, and back panel dont match too well, this is normal, and a good dolop of filler is normally require to smooth it all out..

Edited by GuessWorks, 21 October 2005 - 11:47 AM.

[Bam]

Thanks for the advice, i might even just cut the lip down and put a chrome strip along it.
Thanks. :sick: