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View Full Version : A little body work... a tale of rusty rockers.



WASABI
01-25-2012, 07:43 PM
So I have both cars in the garage for the winter, and I am fixing the rusty rocker panels on both cars. My BRG has minimal rust holes, and I am getting that welded up by a pro. My red '91 has many more rust issues. I have enjoyed driving her through 5 winters, and New England salt is a bitch. My wife bought me a mig welder for Christmas, so I'm gonna fix the rockers on my red car myself.

I purchased entire quarter panels from a local guy, that I am breaking down now. Never used a spot weld remover (VERY COOL), and an angle grinder, again....VERY COOL too to have. Here is my progress after two nights.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/cut-1.jpg

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/cut-2.jpg

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/cut-3.jpg

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/cut-4.jpg

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/cut-5.jpg

WASABI
01-25-2012, 09:28 PM
Oh, and, it was 36º out in the unheated garage. Everything was going good...till I blew the fuse.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/cut-6.jpg

adamvanxxx
01-25-2012, 09:30 PM
Very glad you started this.

Alessandro
01-26-2012, 07:30 AM
It seems you're doing a great job :slayer:

WASABI
01-26-2012, 10:46 PM
Here is the inside of one of the "clean" quarter panel skins. There is a little surface rust that will be removed and a thin spot that will need to be welded, before she is welded to the car.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/cut-7.jpg

The Driver
01-26-2012, 10:50 PM
Really cool! Keep up the good work!

psulja
01-27-2012, 03:04 AM
Awesome work, keep the updates coming. I think this is something I might want to try down the road.

WASABI
02-06-2012, 10:12 AM
I had to wait until I had a good time to get outside...being winter (cold). So I cut out the small rust spot on the rocker skin and fabricated a patch from a spare fender I have.
http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/weld-1.jpg

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/weld-2.jpg

oldcafe
02-06-2012, 12:35 PM
wow, good job mate

ChrisJuliano
02-06-2012, 12:44 PM
Great work!!

smaeda
02-06-2012, 07:26 PM
Awesome work so far. I remember when I had to do the same thing. Wasn't fun at all.

WASABI
02-15-2012, 10:27 PM
Wow, well since I'm a complete novice at welding, I have a lot to learn. It's been a great learning experience, but damn, sheet metal is thin stuff. Here are my first two tries.

I had to cut out my first try, because I thought I could do a continuous line, instead of tack welding.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/weld-4.jpg

I was able to get the bend secured, but when I tried to attach it to the bigger piece, I would keep burning through it.

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/weld-5.jpg

http://www.fagerquist.com/miata/weld/weld-6.jpg

I have watched more welding videos and I think the third times gonna be the charm!:slayer: