Auto body repair & detailing: 88-Trans-Am, bolt holes, play doh
QuestionI have two 88 GTA's, I have took off the ground effects on one of my baby's. I would like to make it into a Formula. The problem at hand is the remaining bolt holes that are now showing that held the ground effects on. I really don't like bondo it seems like a short term fix. Would you recomend that I tack weld a plate in back of the holes then very slowly fill them in? Time is not very important I have plenty of it. I know if I am not careful I will worp the metal creating more work. Any help would be much appreciated for I have 6 girls to take care ofand not much money, just time for I am mr. mom. Thank you for your time.
AnswerWarping while welding is just part of life, bro. When they weld the steel plate of ships, they sometimes have to put sub assemblies into a giant press to flatten them back out. So, you can imagine how sheet metal stacks up. Put a piece of metal behind it, slowly tack it in, and be sure to apply sealer around the little plate from the back side- if you have access to it. At least be sure to undercoat it. One trick you might try, it putting a heat dam made of play-doh in a tight circle around the spot to be welded. This will give the heat somewhere to go besides radiating out into the sheet metal. Good luck! Bill