Tough when we have unusual names. They always get misspoken or mispronounced!

 

Been trying to find anything I could do mechanically on the Falcon so I could avoid starting the bodywork, but can't put it off any longer. So yesterday I started stripping paint off all the areas that need some attention. Not sure that I'll strip the whole car to metal as it's pretty solid paint, and might only need scuffing to allow a cheap paint job over it.
I started with the worst dent, which was a bad repair on the driver's door. It looked OK until I went to pull the door trim and it has a sheetmetal screw through it that I thought was to hold it on. Turned out it was to pull the trim in, as the door dent repair was not level! After removing the screw the trim settled out about 1/4" away, and a grinder disc soon provided what I suspected. The door was pulled by drilling holes and slide hammering the dent out. But they didn't pull it far enough, and just mudded it flat, but with a belly in the repair.
I don't own a stud gun, and no inside access with the interior removed, so I welded 1/4-20 all thread studs to the door skin, and put a 2x4 across the door. Then using nuts and washers I cranked the 1/4" studs down until I got the whole dent pulled out slightly high. Then just cut the studs off and tapped the door skin back down on the high spots. I have a nice heavy aluminum straight edge, so I could check and hammer until I got it within 1/8" for filler. Welded up all the little dent puller holes also, so they wont rust from
Got some bondo applied and sanded on the doors, and a little on the rear flares I built also. Lots of sanding to do, and I'm not a big fan of that part of the bodywork!

 

Is anyone ever a fan of sanding during bodywork? I not I'm not. I hate it.

 

I pretty much dislike every aspect of bodywork! Sanding is just the worst part; not only from the physical part, but the dust. Just not fun at all! If somebody does say they like sanding I'd have them checked to see what's wrong with their brain!

 

Probably inhaling to much sanding dust lol

 

I dislike body work mostly because I just don't know enough (wish I new more). Like your puller method Val!

 

Thanks Bill! I don't know anything about it either, other than what I've leaned watching TV, and a little watching guys I think know it! Mostly it's just trial and head scratching to try and figure a way to do it easier, or with whatever I have handy.

On another subject. I hate thieves!!!!! I put the coil springs that Speedway sent wrong on the porch today. All boxed up, and a UPS return label on it. Set out around 12:30 and around 2:00 I looked out and they were gone. I thought maybe UPS came early, except my replacement springs were due today, and they weren't there. About 3:00 a knock on the door and it's UPS delivering my springs, and then I knew the others got stolen off the porch.
I was sitting in the house a few feet away when some ******* walked right up on my covered porch and snatched the package!

 

yeah cant leave nothing on the porch anymore. now people follow the trucks to take packages that are dropped off

 

Back on the never ending sanding/filling process today! Getting the worst of the dents and repairs gradually taken care of. Started laying down some glazing putty today for the finish sanding and feathering.
This door and front fender are the worst, but still minor.


The two rear fender lips I did on the radius are the next time consumers.

 

Got the body work very close today. Also picked up seam sealer to re-caulk my drip moldings, as the caulk in them was horribly cracked and letting go. Cleaned the gutters all up and stripped them with a wire wheel. Then painted them with primer and laid the caulk in the gutter. Painter said they could be left bare or re-caulked, depending on whether it might spend time out in the weather, but it was easier to caulk them again, than spend all the time sanding and prepping them for nice smooth painted finish.
Back on my buddy's Nova tomorrow, so I'll take a break from the Falcon for awhile. Gotta build his ladder bars and see what else we can get done tomorrow.