896 replies to this topic

[colinf1]

Looking good Victor, glad to see you back at it!

Hopefully you get to give your spot welder a go on the new quarter panel!

[Viktor]

Thanks Colin, it's good to be back. Doing all this tedious prep to get to finally use the spot welder, really looking for it!

[Viktor]

Didn't manage much time in the garage this weekend, mainly because it was too hot in there! At least I have completely cleaned the old wheel arch and it is now ready to receive the new one.

 

All cleaned up and grinded down

 

 

 

The middle bit is quite difficult as there is no access with the shock absorver mounting point...

 

 

After a bit of fighting, I managed to complete it all and gave a bit of K-Rust

 

 

 

Then I run out of time, but next week I just need to prep the new wheel arch and weld it in place. That should be more straightforward from now on.

 

Have a good week.

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Yes, very hot! Full PPE does not help either!

Hopefully weather is a bit more forgiving next weekend for you!

[pete l]

Please bin the K-rust, it is useless. Get some DEOX gel from bilt hamber

 

https://bilthamber.c...oduct/deox-gel/

[MacGyver]

Hot? I know the feeling. 😁 31° in my garage, got lots of welding to do too but not on my mini unfortunately. 🙁

Great progress!

Ben

[Viktor]

Please bin the K-rust, it is useless. Get some DEOX gel from bilt hamber

 

https://bilthamber.c...oduct/deox-gel/

Hi Pete,

 

Thanks for the advice. Have you had any bad experience with K-rust? Why is this product any better? Not being picky, just wanted to know the reasons for your comment. 

 

Thanks.

 

Victor.

[pete l]

Hi Victor,

 

K-Rust is supposed to be a rust CONVERTER, ie, it covers up rust and hides it for a couple of months before it comes back.

 

DEOX is a rust REMOVER, it dissolves away the rust.

 

[Viktor]

Hi Pete,

 

Thanks for the video, very educational.

 

Victor

[Viktor]

Long bank holiday weekend, and some work done in the garage. I completed the wheel arch and tried the quarter panel in. Some photos of the process:

 

I drilled the arch tub to get it ready for the wheel arch plug welds

 

 

And then preping the wheel arch. Lesson learnt from the other side, prepare first, then try it on. Once is in, it is a pain to take it out again!!!

 

 

 

New panel in place

 

 

 

 

Ready for plug welding, using this clamp to hold it in place

 

 

 

All welding done, with good penetration

 

 

 

Grinded down and painted

 

 

 

Then, I welded the back seat

 

 

 

 

And the rear stiffener

 

 

 

Then I tried the quarter panel, and it sits quite well in there, better than the other side...

 

 

 

So that was all for the weekend.

 

Next week I will put the closing panel on the wheel arch and after that I'm thninking on getting into the floors...

 

Have a nice week.

 

Victor

Edited by Viktor, 29 August 2022 - 04:51 PM.

[Verderad]

Lots of good progress.  Feels so good when big panels go on.  

 

I had to make up some new tips for my spot welder, the other tips allowed the arms to touch the panels which warped the panel. 

Edited by Verderad, 03 September 2022 - 08:56 PM.

[Viktor]

Thanks Darren. I will buy new tips, or make them for the areas that are difficult to reach.

 

This weekend I managed to complete the wheel arch closing panel. Some photos of the process:

 

First of all, prep the panel

 

 

 

 

Then, I put it in place making sure it was perfectly aligned with the boot floor underneath. Ready for welding. This time a mix of spot and plug welding

 

 

A few spot welds first...

 

 

Then plug weld the rest. I left the corner fill up for last

 

 

All grinded down

 

 

And then the small gap in the corner filled up with weld. That would be properly finished with the seam seal.

 

 

Looking good underneath

 

 

And final lick of paint

 

 

 

This side came together better than the other. I learned a lot form the other side and now things are going faster and better.

 

More updates next week

 

Victor

[colinf1]

Looking good Victor! Did you not try the longer arms to get the welds along rear bin to closing panel?

Closing panel to boot floor is seam welded along the join.

Keep up the good work!

[Viktor]

Hi Colin,

 

Thanks mate. I didn't use the longer arms, because I'm very lazy and didn't want to change them! Also as you mentioned, the pressure reduces significantly with these arms. I promise I will push myself to use the spot welder more!

 

Not sure which join are you referring to? Please advise on any of the colours as shown below:

 

 

Thanks again.

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Hi Victor, see image below,



Regarding the spot welder,mine is stuck in 1.5+1.5 with 4/5 timer, control panel doesn't want to change anything. Still welds fine, but think it might be a bit too strong for some of the remaining panels. Been in contact with Vevor so will let you know know what they say/offer for a resolution.