37 replies to this topic

[widerim_pickup]

Just finished deseaming my pickup and thought i'd share how it was done with you.

Firstly, do not attempt to do this yourself if you are at all unsure. All of the work i done got checked by a professional welder/fabricator and given top marks.

You will need:
- an angle grinder
- Metal cutting discs (pref. thin type- superb)
- Some means of removing paintwork (i used 60 grit alu oxide discs in grinder)
- MIG/TIG welder thats up to the job.
- An air die grinder with 50mm abrasive pads fitted is really helpful.
- body hammers dollies ( possibly to remove slight discrepencies)
- lots of patience

Firstly we'll nee to remove the trim and clean all the paint off from around the seams your working on. If your deseaming the roof the best way to get at it to clean up is firstly to remove the drip rail (if fitted), using a narrow chisel and hammer to break spotwelds off. Then carefully grind the outer edge off to end up looking like picture 1. Then careully grind off all traces of paint.


Once we are at this stage its time to get the welder and grinder set up. Cut off the seam maximum of 3 inches at a time, otherwise huge amounts of distortion will happen (and your car will fall apart). Leave about 2mm protruding, this will melt away as you weld enabling you to get really good amount of penetration making a very good, strong weld. Picture 2


Weld panels together, TAKE YOUR TIME!! I did it in one go with slight pauses once weld pool had built up. Didn't go through and tack it moving around all the time and ended with minimum of distortion. Picture 3


Clean up your weld and then move on and cut another 2-3" of seam off about 2mm away from body and weld it up. Picture 4.


Go all the way along the seam you wish to remove and hey presto deseamed mini Picture 5.


Technique is exactly the same for the rear valance, Most important thing is to take your time and be patient



P.S. if anyone would like to add to this or feels i have missed something important out or anything wrong let me know. Any questions just ask
Will sort out picture so they are in correct places lol

Attached Files

•  P210708_07.26.JPG   653.57K   354 downloads
•  P210708_07.30_01_.JPG   594.38K   304 downloads
•  P210708_07.22.JPG   611.84K   262 downloads
•  P210708_07.31.JPG   646.83K   225 downloads
•  P230708_07.53.JPG   724.41K   285 downloads

Edited by 1968morriscooper, 06 August 2008 - 08:53 PM.

[roofless]

your very brave doing a pick-up - the purists will be reaching for their vizard bibles right now

but i reckon this will look superb when finished.

Edited by roofless, 06 August 2008 - 09:06 PM.

[widerim_pickup]

Wahey someone who thinks it isn't a half bad idea!!

I think it will look superb when finished too

Edited by 1968morriscooper, 06 August 2008 - 09:15 PM.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Can't belive you're deseaming a pickup But, it looks well done. It's a good idea to weld a plate behind any areas you can get to from behind, strengthens the area and helps to keep the shape if you do it before cutting off the seam.

[roofless]

Wahey someone who thinks it isn't a half bad idea!!

I think it will look superb when finished too :D:D

hey - I pimped a cabriolet, you should hear some of the verbal I get off the tank-top and sandal brigade

[Shifty]

Wahey someone who thinks it isn't a half bad idea!!

I think it will look superb when finished too :D:D

hey - I pimped a cabriolet, you should hear some of the verbal I get off the tank-top and sandal brigade

(tee hee)

[kez_19]

i am planning to deaseam the rear of mine i will try to remember to take loads of pics as i go and i can put them here as well

[widerim_pickup]

Thanks panelbeaterpete will add that in.

Kez_19 Coolio i will be putting pics up when i deseam the rear valence on the pickup as well

[Down&Out]

your very brave doing a pick-up - the purists will be reaching for their vizard bibles right now

but i reckon this will look superb when finished.

well purists are either rich or have a very good bus route...

[merlinsteve]

wow i never thought of doing the roof gutter. would the doors leak without the gutter?
I love the look of the deseamed minis but i don;t know if i have the time and patience for it, let alone the skill.
as for the purists... better a modded mini on the road than a rusted origional in a field.

[mike.]

wow i never thought of doing the roof gutter. would the doors leak without the gutter?

The door won't leak as long at the door rubber are in good nick.

The only thing about deseaming the room is that if the windows open any water thats on the roof with pour right into your lap

[widerim_pickup]

Or if your fitting perspex windows with little sliding opening you won't get wet at all

[Mymini'saretopless;)]

Wow
wonder how much it would cost to deseam my mini cabriolet
Brilliant job

[Burnard]

Wow
wonder how much it would cost to deseam my mini cabriolet
Brilliant job

about £300 if you do it your self with a gasless MIG.
more like £500 if its gas (those bottles dont last long!)

Thats including cost of wire, and practice metal to get good at it.

[mini danny]

hiya does any one now of any one that will deseam my mini but not the roof and a rough cost many thanks dan