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Decided to get started on the 3 exterior rust issues I have on my 1980 Z28. Both quarter between the door and the wheelwell and the drivers side behind the wheelwell. The drivers side had been done be someone years ago and was pumped full of bondo along with some pretty lousy prep work. Found 2 styrofoam cups and a wad of paper in the pass side.

Drivers side before:




Pass side before:


After some cutting and grinding:





Just a little more clean up work on the cuts, apply some rust conversion treatment to the inside areas and I was thinking I would topcost that with some Por15 before closing it up with new patches. I plan on sparying the inside of the patch pieces with weld thru primer.

Couple of shots of the deck lid I got a few years ago of a 79 T/A after stripping the top side down to bare metal. There are two spots that had some surface rust and will need to be treated before any epoxy primer gets laid down.


Thera are a couple of area in the trunk, the pass side seatbelt hump in the wheelwell and under the rear bumper cover that will be next in line for some attention.

This is my first attempt at metal work like this so if anyone has any comments or suggestions fire away!

Tom

I think I remember Jim dealing with some similar issues in the past. It may have had something to do with a Jeep, but may help?


Sorry couldn't resist that one.
Are you planning a full paint job when all is done or just some spot paint, and buff? And like I told Jim. Just make sure you move your welds around so you don't build up too much heat in one spot, stitching with a bunch of tacks, and start the arc off to the side of the seam and drag the puddle into the seam.
Good luck with the project. Keep us posted and pics of the progress please!

Outstanding

That would be the plan Harley, thx for the tips. For now it will be strictly spot repair paint and buff. I might even shoot the hood to match the car instead of the black gel coat and re-do the stripes as they are now.

I enjoy driving the Z too much to have it laid up for the length of time it will take to do a proper full repaint. Someday when I have another ride to drive the Z will get the TLC she needs on the outside.

Most of my troubles in the patch of my trunk came about due to paint on the back side of the weld. I didn't use weld thru primer. I used a moisture cured urethane that I was told I could weld thru. (NOT!) I think I would try some samples with the POR before I tried it on the car. The other issue I have is pinholes between the tacks. I don't have a solution for that one.

The plan is to apply the Por15 only to the inner stucture not the backside of the outer skin where welding will take place..

Good to see some behind the scenes metal work going on. Might get me enough courage to cut mine up. Lol
The latest car craft (as strange as it is for cc to have a 69 Camaro article) had a great article on how to: mini tub and hang full quarters. Including truck floor.
Not enough detail for me, but I'll take all the info I can get.

I've always had good luck with por15. Aasn- Don't get it out your skin!

Hey Tim! Good to hear from you.

I think you are going to have issues trying to put a truck floor in the 69!

Nice work Tom!!

Nothing under the por15 except rough metal. If you want, you can borrow that sandblaster I just got, it will take all the nasty's out of there quick.