Absorbantnut's '87 325is

[AbsorbantNut]

how does a car in florida even get that rusty?

I'm actually told that the car was first bought in Alaska, then it was taken to kentucky, then moved down to talahassee in 2000. It sat for 10 years, and then I came along and picked it up:o In the 13 years prior to sitting it managed to accumulate 257,000ish miles.

[Mike The Bavarian]

how does a car in florida even get that rusty?

[kingston]

HAHA! That's too funny! I'm browsing your build thread, and all of sudden, POW! There's a picture of the headlights on my bedsheets! HEHEHE!

Looks like you've done a heck of a job on this car!!

[AbsorbantNut]

Seems that I'll have some more stuff to wire up later;)

[AbsorbantNut]

Quick question......should I grind off the ruberized coating on the front valance? I've seen some nice examples, and it looks great....Any input is appreciated ;)

[SimplyDope]

I admire your dedication. Great work so far! Can't wait to see how things come along.

[AbsorbantNut]

So ordered a luke box, a subwoofer, picked up some body glazy, and painted the trunklid. Still need to get around to welding that stuff & the rockers. No pics tho as I continue to suffer from tramatic phone problems. Seems like phones just flat out dont like me :p

I think I'm getting the hang of this painting thing though, as I dont have nearly as much orange peel as I did in the beginning. Also learned, or should I say am beginning to understand, how to wetsand. Sure does make things a lot smoother!

Hopefully I get around to taking some pics later...

[Sputnik]

Not to sound like a cyber-stalker, but do you live in that neighborhood behind skyline chili(us1 and 26th st)???
I swear I've seen that car hanging around there

[AbsorbantNut]

the surfice that you are welding on the back fender is not even cleaned enough? take away more color then you should see that it's going to be more easy for you to handle the welding.. to start with..

So I'm guessing taking and grinding it down to bare; clean metal just isn't good enough? How much further should I take it:D

[FugitivE]

the surfice that you are welding on the back fender is not even cleaned enough? take away more color then you should see that it's going to be more easy for you to handle the welding.. to start with..

[AbsorbantNut]

Yes a handful but kudos to your perseverance!

Haha, I hope so. Thanks:D

Well I've got the trunk almost all sanded up and ready to be shot. But finals are getting in my way:hitler: After tuesday though, I should be able to get a steady pace going!

[Marcos]

Awesome

Yes a handful but kudos to your perseverance!

[AbsorbantNut]

No offense, but I would cut that all back out and get someone else to do it properly, or get a little more practice in before you try it again. Looks almost like you tried to plug weld the panel in place? Even the thinnest flux core wire and using weld through primer is gonna make a huge job like that a PITA. I hate that weld-through paint. You can get a small bottle of C25 gas for under $150 and some .023 wire for $10 and you'll have much better luck with your welding. Just my thoughts,

good progress with everything tho! :)

Yeah, I was thinking about that today. Figured I'd give it a go anyways though, couldn't really do too much more harm to it. Not sure what plug welding is or C25 gas, but this was mainly just for a learning experience. I think that I will just cut it out, make a new patch, and take it to a shop and see how much they would charge to weld it in. I suppose that that would save me some money versus having them to everything.

Thanks:o

[OhioriderAaron]

No offense, but I would cut that all back out and get someone else to do it properly, or get a little more practice in before you try it again. Looks almost like you tried to plug weld the panel in place? Even the thinnest flux core wire and using weld through primer is gonna make a huge job like that a PITA. I hate that weld-through paint. You can get a small bottle of C25 gas for under $150 and some .023 wire for $10 and you'll have much better luck with your welding. Just my thoughts,

good progress with everything tho! :)

[AbsorbantNut]

Ok, so heres the ste by stepp of me welding in the rear quarter patch.

First, I started off with the hole cut out when I was "de-rusting" it and making the patches.


Then hit it with the grinder to prep the edges.


Hit it with some weld thru primer


2nd coat


Removing the tape lines. Got some overspray, but it will be sanded off anyways.


Yeah, you can weld thru this stuff


Stripped the fender line of paint


Hit the patches with some weld thru primer too


Taped up in place. Put a few tacks on for good measure










Uh oh:( Starting to get some burn thru






Bad news, now the welder is only burning thru the metal, and no matter what I do I cant fill in the holes. Then in some places, I'm not getting any penetration with the welds