new member posting

weswsimpson · #1 12-04-2011, 07:57 PM

Hello,

I've got a "little" project to do and wanted to get some help and advice.

My father and I are restoring his 1960 Aston Martin DB4 series one. The are a few dings and dents--and a big messed-up area in the front, both wings. Looks like some someone hit something and then it was poorly repaired with a new front clip, the weld beat-down and coverd with bondo. Then it looks like there was some more damage at somepoint and more bondo. So, everything is stripped-off and I'm wondering what to do...

Weld on a new clip from the center of the wheelarches forward? Pound it out? Hire someone? (I'd like to get some quotes and feedback from members.) Or do it myself?

My father and I have restored other cars including a Jaguar xk150, lotus elan, porsche 356 and 912, and an mgb. I do my own interiors and have done some metal working, blacksmithing, and I'm very good with my hands and have a good eye, so I'm thinking about taking some classes and tackling the job. But I'll likely need some help and advice--as I'm a complete novice.

Any suggestions on good metal shaping schools in CA, AZ, or Michigan? Any good DVDs out there?

I thought I'd start-out building a few peddle car bodies for my boys, then move on to the DB4.

Thanks in advance for all the good information and thoughts.

HEATNBEAT · #2 12-04-2011, 08:45 PM

Welcome to Allmetalshaping Weswsimpson!

Peter Tommasini · #3 12-04-2011, 10:28 PM

Hi Wes,
Firstly the body will be aluminium. so care should be taken not to remove paint with a buff or grinder. better to chemically remove paint, because aluminium is soft.
If the repaired areas have welds through them where new part panels have been fitted, be careful of the weld areas when repairing them as the welds could crack due to thin metal and work hardening. I suggest annealing the repair area before attempting any repair.
also if you have to reweld any areas by oxy acetylene welding, make sure you remove ALL flux from both sides of the panel as it is corrosive and will in time eat through the alloy.
As far as DVD's are concerned, there are a lot of DVD's around with good information on repairs,making panels and welding.
Peter

weswsimpson · #4 12-07-2011, 12:10 AM

thanks Peter, good advise. When I was 15 years old, my dad said that if I stripped all the paint off (back then the strippers worked--but boy did they burn the skin!), he'd have it ready for my High School Prom... Well, that didn't happen! That was over 20 years ago, so now I'm going to try and get it ready for my son's prom! Any DVDs you recommend by title?

David Gardiner · #5 12-07-2011, 07:44 AM

Hi Wes, I agree with what Peter said but if you want some advice it would be a good idea to put up some photos of the effected area so more specific advice can be given. It sounds to me as though the welding is pretty poor, you may get away with making a new section to replace the welded area. Most of the damage should dress out by the sound of it so it will probably be better to repair what is there rather than replace.

If you feel that you want to learn how to weld aluminium then you must be prepared to practice first. Its not something that can be picked up overnight. Gas welding is the only method I personally would recommend for ally car panels and I know Peter agrees with this.

I show a little gas welding of aluminium panels on my youtube footage and I also show a little of what is involved in smoothing metal.

David

Peter Tommasini · #6 12-07-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weswsimpson

thanks Peter, good advise. When I was 15 years old, my dad said that if I stripped all the paint off (back then the strippers worked--but boy did they burn the skin!), he'd have it ready for my High School Prom... Well, that didn't happen! That was over 20 years ago, so now I'm going to try and get it ready for my son's prom! Any DVDs you recommend by title?

HI Wes from what I'have heard Dave's dvd's are good or you can try the handbuilt series, suit your self........
Peter