If they're really high you might want to tap them down a bit rather than have 15mm filler over the rest of the tailgate. In theory it should be a real light skim, most of which ends up on the floor.
Will give them a feel when I’m down there next week (off to my folks for the weekend). It’s pretty much see through in a lot of places so is a fairly light skim. Reckon I should be ok just skimming once more and seeing if that gets it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Always try to knock down the highs to keep as little filler on to stop cracking think of the filler for the lows....but looking good. your be professional this time next week
After skimming the whole panel with filler, blocking flat and applying high build primer I’ve managed to get a much better result. Still not perfect but it’ll do for my first panel (for now)! Got the engine lid primed too.
Much better. Thanks for your pointers. I’ve a few odd Welding jobs left on the van then I’ll make a start on the body work proper (side window aperture and need to make a dicky style front wheel carrier). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi James, brilliant progress and I like your adjustable stands. What sort of sanding blocks are you using?
Thanks. I got the stand and an a frame off eBay for about £70. I bought a special deal on a mirka Long block and sanding strips a while back. Think the block is 400mm or so. I might need something longer for the sliding door and Long panel though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks James, I am still fettling brackets for bed and seat belts but planning to get on with prep and paint soon. Your steps ahead very informative and as ever inspirational. Martin
I’ve been putting this off for a while, but as I want to start prepping the body for paint soon I need to get it done. The window surround on the middle louvered window is pretty shot from water sitting behind the rubber (stupid panel van conversion). 3 of the 4 sides need a 1 inch or so strip letting in: Chopped out the bottom rot and let in an oversized repair (having measured the aperture I’m fairly convinced it was too large compared to the window so I’ll be cutting it in afresh): Clamped: Tacked in: And all done: And made a start on the side and top pieces. It now looks like something out of Mad Max with a machine gun viewing window on the side: In between welds I trial fitted the front headlamps on the front panel. The new panel needed a bit of tweaking to get the lights to fit as the bowl surround lip wasn’t quite bent correctly. A bit of persuasion with some mole grips saw them go in: The rear window apertures have a few sections that need cutting out and replacing, but the rest will just get some Deox gel treatment to remove the rust.
It didn’t come with one! Think both are available? Got ours from schofields. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This crossed my mid when i saw your post. If you could let in genuine window sections to the slider and middle window and panel the rears you'd have a (near) unique van.
I may have been somewhat generous with the repair sections! The slider is off a Kombi as it has the factory window surrounds. I like the louvred window too much to turn it back to a panel van. Finished welding it tonight, just need to cut the aperture and make sure it fits! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
New hole cut for the louvred window and started to trial fit it. Ran out of energy fitting it so will finish tomorrow but it feels like a good snug fit! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Alas it doesn’t so it I’m just making do with what I have. Does your panel van have have a curved one? I always keep an eye out at shows but they don’t seem to come up often. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
