[8cuda]

I have a fender that has many drilled holes by the previous owner. Shall I use my mig welder to plug each hole? Then use hammer and dolly to straighten out the fender?

Thank you,
Randy W.

[oldBodyman]

" Shall I use my mig welder to plug each hole? Then use hammer and dolly to straighten out the fender?"

Kinda, sorta, almost, maybe First, the holes look to be punched not drill so you will need to straighten the fender first then weld them shut. Hammer the dimpled metal back out before welding. Try doing ever fourth hole and cool it down to cold and do the next set of every fourth hole, ect.

Good luck with it.

[cjperotti]

Looks like the previous owner went a little rabid with whatever he did.

Use a wire wheel to remove the residue bondo that's still clinging around each hole, then hammer and dollie the metal back to shape before welding them closed.

Goodluck.

[tab]

holy cow... looks like it was a country "shootin car" . from what car is this fender? can't you find an aftermarket fender or one at the junk yard? i don't think that it's worth your time unless it's a 39 Bugati.

[MARTINSR]

Sorry but that looks like a fixer to me. I would replace it with a Chinese junk after market as a LAST resort.

You can easily weld up those holes and repair the fender. At least you know it will fit when you are done.

Brian

[krazeyone]

vice grip made a pair of grips that lookes like lobsterclaws. one claw has a copper thingey on it and the other claw holds the copper tight on the back of the hole so you can weld it and weld doesn't stick to the copper.

[Nastynotch347]

I have a copper water pipe that is hammered flat on one end and bent a little bit. Hold it behind and weld away, also works well because it's long enough to get to places on the car that you can't get your arm/hand in. As stated before save that one DO NOT buy overseas junk!

[8cuda]

The fender is from a 69 Camaro. I can buy aftermarket, but I would like to have an OEM fit as stated by Brian. I have been using a disc grinder and my mig welder at this point. Got about 85% of the holes filed with mig welder. I have been using a copper pipe to back the holes, and putting many weld turds to fill the holes. The big holes are difficult to fill.

I have been using the hammer and dolly to get the panel straighter. The shrinking to correct my mistakes.

How do I fill the low spots after I fill the holes with welds? Do I keep grinding at the weld spots and fill with more welding? Can I get the panel straight without bondo?

This is my first attempt at auto body work and metal work. I more of an electronic nerd.

Thank you,
Randy W.

[milo]

I think I remember that fender from back in 1984 at Bay City Bodyshop down in EPA ,, no kidding

[cutterbond]

Fill the holes with weld, and do final straightening with body filler, or polyester putty if the imperfections are pretty shallow.

The "no bondo" craze is way over blown IMO, it's just a backlash from people that over abuse plastic body fillers.

Now if it was a vehicle you were playing on restoring and selling for $500k, then only metal applies, the paint will also need to be within 2 mil tolerance throughout the entire vehicle.

But for 99.999999% of the rest of the cars, a little filler is fine.

Proper application is needed though.