Bodywork on Fanny

[Kerrykittiecat]

What is the best thing to do for the bodywork... filler, or take it to a pro who will charge a fortune? I'm a total novice with motors and I'm tempted to just pay someone, also because I live on the coast and cars rot through in about 10 minutes I want to know its been done right. HELP!

[Luke]

We need more info!!! have you got any close up pictures of the specific problem areas you need to deal with?

[Kerrykittiecat]

don't have a digital camera yet.. from the bit of reading I've done, it all sounds quite normal. Bottom of the doors, bonnet, gutters, inside the top of the dashboard started to fall off on the drive home! oh and the sills are a bit dodgy too. Think I would like to replace the pop top too, as it fell down on my head when I was showing my Mum!!.. so much to do!!

[Luke]

look familiar?

Top of the dashboard do you mean the padded bit?

[Kerrykittiecat]

Yes, thats her!! How did you get that?!

The bit that I meant was where the windscreen joins up inside to meet the dashboard. (very technical description!... can you tell I'm not a mechanic?!)

[FredTransit]

Yes, thats her!! How did you get that?!

The bit that I meant was where the windscreen joins up inside to meet the dashboard. (very technical description!... can you tell I'm not a mechanic?!)

THAT'S the bit you should see somebody about, it's called the scuttle and if it ends up the wrong shape, you windscreen won't fit properly, will leak and you will be back to square 1 in no time. Don't panic though, it's not the end of the world, and like you say is fairly common. The rest is possible to fix yourself, like the doors and sills ect. The sills might be best to get welded on, they are still available for pattern parts sellers, Luke posted one supplier a while back. Sills are not a long job and tharefore not mega expensive. Prperation and finish are the key bits. Get ALL of the rust off, back to bare metal, or it will come back. Fill in big holes with either filler containing fibregalss or fibreglass matting and resin. Make sure you have tis filler a little bit below the surface of the metal, as you are not supposed to sand it. Then finish it off with regular filler which you sand to a smooth finish (use at least 3 grades of sandpaper, from corse to medium to smooth). Then finisn that with primer first, and take a look for little pits/holes or bumps, and sand again. Then more primer, then when it's fully dry a top coat. Take your time, I know this is over simple, but the filler kits sold at most spares places are made for use by amatuers and everybody has to start somwhere.