… A previous owner had attempted a fiberglass repair, which we were able to remove with just the twist of a screwdriver. Check for any small holes or gouges and fill them with spot putty. Hinge the plastic sheet back over the hole, press it against the hole, and tape down the other three edges. Don't rush. Then I finished the project with bondo by molding and forming it to what my car needed. There's ridiculous detail on every part. More often than not, they are caused by the development of rust in the body of the car. Place it over the hole so the hole itself is near the centre of the paper. Next up I used a pneumatic flanging tool that clamped its offset jaws onto the steel and gnawed around the hole so the steel patch had a recessed contact patch to sit flush in the adhesive for minimum body filler work. Or you can grind out the rust and repair it with a product like Bondo, a plastic body repair that you mix up to a paste like consistency. To smooth the repaired area for painting, you'll use your 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper. The instructions say to use a golf-ball sized amount of putty and an inch and a half of hardener. As well as replacing a door because it has become rusted or been damaged in If any traces of rust remain, treat the metal with a rust preventative (See chassis Use the plastic applicator that comes with the kit to apply the body filler to the hole. If needed you can cut around the hole with aviation or tin snips to make it larger to get into rust-free metal. Putting extra effort in to getting the filler spread evenly will pay off here in reduced sanding time. Remove excess filler from the repair with a filler file (sometimes called a "cheese grater"), if necessary. Cleaning the outside and checking for rust. It is likely that some small rust pits will remain, however. Remove any metal that is not solid from around the area of the hole that is to be repaired. Start by trimming the body panel to the appropriate size for the hole. Sand the primer using a straight back-and-forth motion. It revolves round the drill bit to cut out a circle of metal. Because this is a cumbersome and hazardous process, plastic 2-part fillers were invented to serve the same purpose. , sanding disc or flap wheel to take off the paint for about 2 in. For the best and longest-lasting repair, all the rust should also be removed. Small marks left on the surface of the repair can be filled with small amounts of the mixture or can be filled with paintstopper before the repaired area is sprayed. Many of the materials can also be bought separately from accessory shops, garages or specialist firms. Follow directions and it works out great. The paint work is also black, so what products might I need to do this job? The resin should cover the area that extends 2 to 3 inches beyond repair. With the doors Step 12: Apply body filler. K.K. Prepare the hole in the way already described under Bridging the gap (left). You want a repair that is safe a… ). It said to mix on a non-porous surface, and to use within 2-3 minutes. Use the paintbrush to apply a coat of mixed resin on the damaged area. The typical triangle welder’s magnets in various sizes provide the help you need. It is, of course, best to fix the rust before it becomes a hole, but with some effort, you can fix a hole in a car with Bondo to make it look as good as new. Use coarse-grit sandpaper to remove any paint and primer for a distance of 3 to 4 inches in all directions away from the hole. It is not the easiest way of cutting a hole in a car body, and may prove less accurate for larger hole sizes. Discover (and save!) Apply the following method of rust repair if it is a small home in the outer layer of metal in the car’s body panel. You can make it set quicker than normal by adding a little more hardener than the kit instructions suggest. They reduce the stages involved by using a plastic cover sheet to hold the combined filler and glass-fibre mixture to the same contour as the body. The through - hole from corrosion on the bodywork of the car detracts from the appearance and bring a lot of trouble to the owner. For this reason I always like to use Copper Backers and Welders Helpers to back up and quickly fill the hole. You’re now ready to open up your Eastwood No-Weld Hole Repair Kit and take the composite backers out. Tape a sheet of wax paper over the hole using masking tape. Stop wasting time on YouTube and get serious! brush pressure accident Even banging on it will make you think you are banding on sheet metal. Add hardener to the filler mixture as directed by the instructions with the kit. Use scissors to cut out two pieces of the glass-fibre mat so that they overlap the edges of the hole by I in. This product works well as advertised, but you need to use it behind the metal on your car, as it will make a bump if you try to patch a hole on the outside. Do not wipe with a dry cloth — the dirt will scratch the paint. In the old days, lead was used as a filler to fix and smooth creases and dents in the body panel repair process. compound Holes larger than 1/4″ need to be filled with metal. He is currently pursuing a degree in English. Mix the ). Learn everything about modern cars from our new video series. Use an electric drill fitted with a wire One of the worst was a split under the rear deck on the rear firewall between the gas tank and the interior of the car. Start by drilling a pilot hole in the centre of the cutting circle. You can then use a file and sandpaper to file the hole and remove any burrs in the metal. Trace the outline of the hole on the plastic sheet, then fold the sheet back. Jul 1, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Katherine Bigott. Keep applying layers of cloth pieces and resin until the area is repaired completely. Feather the edges of the body filler away from the repair. One of the best ways to repair small chips in the paint of your car is to do it yourself. Spray the repaired area with sandable automotive primer. Try to not mix air into the filler since this will create pinholes in your repair. The Video Course teaches you everything about modern cars. Allow plenty of time for this repair. Spray-prime the area again and allow to dry. Fill in the remaining slight hollow with filler (See The design of this site was heavily, heavily inspired by CSS-Tricks under their supercool licence. Fixing a rust hole on the rocker panel can be expensive. This product worked well for me to repair the hole in my car. Spray at least two coats, but avoid causing a run from too much paint. Make sure that none of the screening is protruding from the hole. When dry overnight you will not believe how strong this repair. Plastic body fillers like Bondo soon became the norm. Allow the filler to harden to the point when it can be dented with a fingernail. Push filler into the hole, forcing it into the nylon screening. To remove the film of grime which forms on the bodywork use plenty of clean water. If you cannot hold the sheet from behind the hole, use wire hooks to pull it against the back edge until the filler that is fixing it has set or, depending on the type of hole, roll the mesh into a tube shape and fix it firmly into position. You’ll want to leave a tiny bit of room for overlap, so there’s space for the sticky back of the panel to adhere to the surface of the vehicle. If you're trying to get a car through inspection and you want to car to look acceptable there are some shortcuts that are effective. When the filler mixture has set hard, peel off the plastic sheet. 15 hours of pro-quality, HD content with subtitles. Or you could cut it out and weld or braze in new metal. (50 mm) all round the hole. Generally this is a ribbon of hardener about 2 inches long to a golf ball- sized glob of filler. Eliminating rust before painting When everything is smooth and even, prime the area and touch up the paint. Allow the primer to dry completely, and sand smooth with fine sandpaper. The hole is only very small, just big enough to slot a screw driver through, but the hole is quite rough around the edges. We've created the most detailed 3D model ever produced so we can show you everything working. Mix a small amount of body filler paste with the hardener from the filler kit. off, the door pillars and inside surfaces can then be resprayed properly. The plastic sheet should follow the body contours. If rust is allowed to set in, the rust can eat away at the metal of the car and holes can devel Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes until everything is bone dry; then sand the area with medium-grain sandpaper until it conforms perfectly to the surrounding body surface. First, we will classify the types of holes we are discussing as ones that are round and have been machined, probably with a drill, as opposed to punctures and cracks incurred from damage. Putting extra effort in to getting the filler spread evenly will pay off here in reduced sanding time. Smooth the plastic sheet all round to match the lines of the panel being repaired and tape the other three edges to hold it. How to Fix a Hole in a Car Body It is relatively simple to prevent and repair holes in car bodies. Allow the primer coat to dry, then remove your masking tape and paper. Use a piece of cardboard as a mixing pallet. You can use … Go with the Bondo. It will act as a stabilizer for the body filler paste. A small magnet will help keep the … The blade of a tank cutter can be adjusted to the diameter of the hole required. Glass fibre can cause skin irritation to some people - wear rubber gloves when you handle it. Make sure the release film is facing outward and place the entire repair material over the rust hole. In those areas where the back of the panel is open, a piece of screen an inch or two bigger than the hole can be held in with tape, epoxy or strong adhesive. Fill any deep gouges that remain with more filler, sanding when it is hard, to finish this phase of the repair. I put this behind the hole with plenty of Bondo to hold it in place. Spray the patch with primer, then paint it. We start by tearing down and then rebuilding the whole car. The reasons they may need to be repaired are numerous: refitting, resizing, removing obsolete equipment, or mistakes. Due to improvements in the steel used to make cars, the problem of rusted body panels is greatly reduced from several years ago. This type of file is very ineffective once the filler has truly hardened, so work quickly. A round-hole punch is preferable. Wear protective goggles to guard your eyes against flying grit and paint dust. Small magnets are especially handy in sheet metal rust repair, such as holding a small piece of metal inside a hole. One of them is simple and accessible execution, the other is the reliability and durability. Push filler into the hole, forcing it into the nylon screening. Use a plastic spreader and completely cover the area of the hole. Add filler to build up the contour . 5 Step 8 Allow the repair material to cure overnight and then remove the release film. Tap the edges of the hole inwards with the ball of a small ball-pein hammer below the level of the panel. Lowell is a freelance writer who has been writing professionally since June 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. Let the resin set hard. Body filler can be supported by a sheet of expanded zinc metal fixed behind the hole. Use an old paintbrush to dab the resin mixture on to the mat - both sides if possible - until the mat goes translucent. MIG wire doesn’t stick to the copper backer directing the weld to the edges of the hole and quickly filling small holes. Use nylon window screen to fill in behind the hole and create a backer to hold the auto body filler. In order to close up these holes without welding, are used most often in two ways. It comes with two parts, the body filler putty (grey), and the hardener cream (red), which you mix together, and then apply. Hinge the plastic sheet back over the hole, press it against the hole, and tape down the other three edges. We also wanted to repair the original stinger hood that … Put the mixture on to the plastic sheet, inside the marked area. Put the plastic sheet over the outside of the hole and fix one edge with a strip of paper masking tape. Feather the edges of the body filler away from the repair. I don't really have adverts here: it's funded by wonderful people buying the Car Mechanics Video Course. Mix the amount of body filler that you can use in 10 minutes following the mixing directions on your can of body filler. Allow the area to dry completely, and spray with the color-matching finish paint. If you're into design, go and check them out. The mesh panel will provide a backing for the body filler to stick to. Hi, Recently thieves drilled a hole into my car body work, right next to the lock so they could flick the locking mechanism. But do not deviate too far from the maker's instructions. Throughout this car’s life, there have been some bumps and scrapes which have caused some damage to the body. will discourage corrosion. Use tin snips to cut the expanded metal so that it is about 1 in. When repairing fiberglass boats, the challenge is to determine an appropriate repair strategy. Dab more mixture on the edges of the hole. (25 mm) larger than the hole all round. Wait 24 hours or so, then sand the puttied areas with fine sandpaper. Put the metal sheet behind the hole and fix it in position with small amounts of filler. When using body filler and paint, always work in a well-ventilated area away from open flames. In some parts of the country, however, rusting is still a serious problem, and in just a few years a hole can develop in your pride and joy. an Then after you have prepped the surface you can paint the car. I've done body work on cars for a lot of years, and have developed some techniques to make the job fast, easy and cheap. Progress through medium and fine grits to make the filler as smooth as possible. Smear car body filler over the card push it into the hole then pull it back so it sticks inside the hole (preferably so a few mm are left unfilled) Let it set and you can then fill the hole properly using body filler and a sander to get a tidy finish . There are proprietary kits available which contain all the materials necessary for making repairs. The wax paper is going to serve as the start of your fibreglass patch. Mix well with a small plastic spreader until the color is uniform. Repairing a Rust Hole in a Car. Sandpaper in coarse, medium and fine grits. Your local auto supply store will have it. How a Car Works is created, written by, and maintained by Alex Muir. Cut out any weak and rusted metal with tin snips. Then feather the edges of the filler right up to the painted edge. How can I fill this hole and finish it, so it is barely noticeable? Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Begin by using your 4-inch grinder and remove all paint, primer, and filler around the hole that you want to fill. On a fairly new car, covering the underbody with sealing Photo Credit: Superior Fleet & Auto Body Repair. Even if the hole is filled after the first time, add a second layer of super glue and baking soda to strengthen the bond. Like many do-it-yourself-car repairs, this one is simple if you go slowly, and maybe even practice beforehand. Even metallics can be repaired, and if you follow these directions, you'll save yourself money that might otherwise have gone to the body shop. , you may also need to do this job before a respray. Next, apply finishing glaze to the entire patch and then sand with 180-grit and then 320-grit sandpaper. Rinse any sanding dust away completely. Hold the zinc metal piece behind the hole and attach it to the body of the vehicle behind the hole with small amounts of filler. Put the second piece of mat over the rear of the first and add more resin with the brush. Layer super glue and baking soda until the hole is filled. A mechanic and truck driver for more than 40 years, Lowell is able to write knowledgeably on many automotive and mechanical subjects. The screen can be bunched up and pushed through the hole in areas where access from the rear is impossible. or brushed on. , it may be repaired with glass fibre, body filler or the more recently introduced filler-fibre mixture. In case small size holes appear in the body panels of your car, without being damaged in the structure, you can repair it by yourself and prevent the rust damage from spreading. It can be sprayed on under Then, place a piece of fiberglass cloth onto the damaged spot and saturate it with the mixed resin. Clearly and easily explained. Use a plastic spreader and completely cover the area of the hole. liquid This needed to be fixed the right way. Put a layer of glass-fibre mat in the hole from behind. The actual work does not take long, but allowing extra time for curing and drying will make your repair look professional. your own Pins on Pinterest Be sure to hit the trigger of the welder for a few seconds at a time. Dab more mixture on the edges of the hole. If any resin drips on to the paintwork, wipe it off at once with a rag soaked in methylated spirit. Once the patch area was ready it was time to cut some paper templates to create the steel patches. Coat the area inside the hole thoroughly with Miracle Paint to prevent further rusting, then make a patch of 3 layers of fiberglass mat soaked in Miracle Paint and apply it over the rust hole. Smooth the material outward with a spreader removing all air bubbles and following the shape of the body. Smoothing out a dent Keep building layers until you’ve formed a plug that is flush with the top of the hole. Some repair kits do not use a mesh backing. resin, following the instructions given with the kit. Use one or two pieces of masking tape to secure the wax paper over the hole. If a hole in the bodywork is not in a load-bearing area, such as a section of the Sand the filler to match the contours of the car body using 80- and 180-grit sandpaper. 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