13 replies to this topic

[mike.]

Since my cars getting refurbed and resprayed i'm fitting mostly new exterior stuff.

This will leave me with lots of screw holes from the previous parts. I.e. Lots of screw holes for the grill fixings and the arches.

I want to smooth over these and start afresh and drill any new holes i need before the respray - That way i don't end up with loads of unfilled/unused holes everywhere.

Whats the best way of getting rid of these holes. I was just going to smooth over them with filler since they're only 2-3mm wide but is there anything i should do first, consider or be aware of before doing this? Is there a good filler specificaly for hole filling as apposed to the usual upol easy sand stuff?

[Retro_10s]

For the perfectly finished job you need to either Lead load them or put a blob of weld over them...

The front panel takes some abuse over its lifetime with the bonnet being slammed etc... Filler would probably just pop out. if you're really gonna fill them i'd use chemical metal or something a bit more 'industrial' than filler.

Edited by Retro_10s, 02 June 2008 - 03:56 PM.

[jack_marshall]

Wherever your taking it for bodywork should be able to blob the holes up for you with their welder.

Its abit of a skill welding small holes, but makes a proper job once rubbed over with a soft grinding disk.

If theyre anygood they wont even need filling after.

Filler will shrink in the hole over time if you dont weld them up and either fall out or look cack.

[mike.]

Yeah maybe chemical metal...

The thing is with getting the bodyshop to do it, is that the guy only agreed to spray my car if i did all the other jobs first. He was reluctant to do it and said aslong as you sort out any rust and do all the filler work so i'm not sure he'd to weld the holes up.

What do you mean by lead loading the holes retro?

[MrMini]

Do not use filler alone, it simply wont last and as you rub to blend it in it will most likely fall out anyway. Ideally you need to be welding them.

[panelbeaterpeter]

What Jack said! definitely don't fill them, welding is the only way if you want a good job.

[edi57]

Welding up the holes is definately the way to go. As others have mentioned, filler will just fall out.

To make welding up the holes easier, place a peice of copper behind the hole, then fill with mig. The copper supports your weld but won't stick so it can be removed after.

If you were local I would weld them up for you. It really is a nice quick job.

[mike.]

Thanks for the offer shame your not closer

I would have imagined it'd be alot easier with some metal behind it. Maybe i could do it?

Would anybody reccomend i try this as my first welding job? I can get a bit of copper to put behind it then how hard can it be?

The front panel is a pretty thick sturdy panel so i won't really be risking warping the panel will i (thats always my worry if i was trying to fill a hole with weld). The wing would be a different matter but i may be able to make use of of the holes in the wings and quarters anyway.

[mini_lad_1990]

if there only as small is you say i would plug weld them then you can rub the weld down flush with the panel

cheers

[mike.]

Yeah i'd do plug welds with a piece of cooper behind like edi57 said. Only thing is i've not done any welding before.....

[edi57]

Drill a few holes in a peice of scrap and try filling them using the method I described.

If you're happy with the result...then get going on your mini!

/- Ed

[mini_lad_1990]

ahh sorry i missed that comment lol they are easy to do with the right set up of the welder just watch it fill the hole but dnt stay there to long lol i do it everyday at college

have fun
cheers

[jack_marshall]

Dont want to *yellow human water* on your fire but if the bodyshop doesn't really want to paint it and are happy for an inexperienced prepper to prep the car before hand then Id say they dont give a toss what the outcome of the car is.

Find someone who cares about your car and the job!

[mike.]

no no hes doing all the prep i.e rubbing down and primering. He just dodn't want to rub it down and fine loads of rust and things. He said he'd only be doing the spray work - Not any repair work so get that done first.