[pigman]

Hey all,

So here's the deal, i spent a day and removed a rear 1/4, and the wheel wells, i have all the replacements and they seem like they will fit real nice. So after a bit more effort i will be close to ready to replace the new panels and be done with that area for now.

I plan to use SPI epoxy primer on any bare metal after the repair, but im wondering how to protect the panels where they overlap and are spot welded? I always see panels rust out where they are overlapped, but there must be a cure?

Should i play all the overlaps with weld-through primer first? What is the deal with seam sealer? Can i cram it in the cracks after the weld is done?

Ideas?

Thanks!
mike

[baddbob]

Use weld through coating on the flanges before welding, get your panels on then clean the exterior to bare clean metal, epoxy prime the exterior, apply a good quality urethane or two component seam sealer on the exterior of the seams and allow to cure. 3M's Ultrapro MSP is one of my favorites- good stuff. Treat all of the seams from the interior with a rust preventive cavity wax like 3M's Rustfighter, Transtar Amber coating, or similar. Cosmoline also works well for this. If you plan to prime and paint the interior of the panels you'll save some time by scuffing them first with a red scotchbrite prior to installation- (tough to scuff some of these interior areas after they are installed). Don't leave any of the weld through coating on the exterior before applying your epoxy- the weld through coating isn't very durable and is just designed for use within the seam. Welding through this coating is sometimes a PITA, so I usually spot blast all of my plug weld holes after mounting and clamping the panels and just prior to welding. The weld through coating isn't a cure all since there will still be some burn back around the weld but it is better than leaving the metal bare, the cavity wax will seap into the void left between the two pieces of metal and protect them from oxygen. JMO's, Hope I helped.

[pigman]

"Hope I helped"

Hope you helped? You just answered everything I asked! thanks!

Mike