73 Roadrunner 340 Auto

[73runner]

Builderguy.... this is a terrific thread you have going. It will make a great reference going forward and even better record when you can’t remember what you did... lol

Seriously... your persistence and patience are awe inspiring.

Keep up the great work.

 

[Builderguy]

Trunk floor with first spray of high build. Waiting on it to dry and sand to see how many coats it will take.

 

[Builderguy]

DA'd the first coat of high build primer and was left with this. Not too bad, figure two more coats to complete.
High spots are black/bare, low spots are dark grey, and just right is light grey. Sprayed another coat on.

 

[Builderguy]

Sanded the second down:

Sprayed on another couple of coats of high build:

Probably just sand this down, touch up a few spots, and seal it. So it went from this:

TO THIS:

 

[HawkRod]

Looks great! It will almost be a shame to cover it up with a mat!

 

[Builderguy]

I don't remember the trunk lip being this bad. I have a new piece to hold the rubber molding but there is not a lot left to hold onto. Need to come up with a plan of attack. I have a donor car but not so sure it is any better than this. Been awhile since I took a good look at it. I better grab a few beers and think this trough.

 

[cdoublejj]

so thats why the sell entire trunk pans

 

[Builderguy]

Okay, decided to fix what I have. So here are some before shots:

And a couple after the first pass with the welder:

Still have a little fill and then form work to do but this repair might cost me $10 in supplies (welding wire, grinding wheel, and some lock abrasive discs). Total time to fill and grind to this point, maybe 3 hours. The pic with the tip shows the angle I use to weld to the side of the hole. I used copper backer at the start but then ditched it as I found I could lay a thicker bead without it. This left more metal so I could grind both front and back without having to weld in more material on the back.

 

[Builderguy]

Second round of welding and grinding. I can work with this now. Still need to do the lower corner and use a flat file to get the bend line just right. Then weld the trunk molding lip on.

 

[HawkRod]

I'm watching and learning!!!

Thanks for the continued updates.

Hawk

 

[Builderguy]

Had a few hours tonight so thought I would cut out the rust in that lower corner and get it ready for a new patch.
I already started to cut before I remembered to take a pic.

 

[mschoo92]

I just read through this thread, amazing job that you’re doing restoring this roadrunner! Thanks for sharing, and I can’t wait to see it all come together

 

[mr. b]

looking good keep up the nice work

 

[Builderguy]

Patch time. Made a rough form out of some cardboard.

Cut out the metal and bent it up:

Marked and drilled spot weld holes:

Check fit and tack in place:

Front side. Only going to weld from the back so I will have less grinding to do on the front. You will notice that I had to turn up the heat and wire speed to get full penetration. Most to the left was at the lower settings.

Still have to finish the welding but this is the LAST patch panel this car is going to get and I didn't want to rush it so I will do it tomorrow. Looking forward to moving on to the finishing phase of the bodywork as it makes the car look like it is so much closer to being done. Friends stop by and don't really get all the work that goes into patching and grinding. But as soon as you put primer to metal, "Oh crap this looks great" is all I hear. Done for the night, I think it is time for a beer!

 

[HawkRod]

Great work and thanks again for showing the step by step process. Yes, it is a basic process, but seeing all the pictures inspires me to start tackling this type of work.

Hawk

 

[Builderguy]

At last, the welding on this body is done!!!! I could have added more weld and SUPER smoothed it out but a couple of areas that need a 1/16" of filler is fine by me. Sometimes you just have to know when to stop! All and all the trunk area turned out just fine and I am happy with it.

 

[Builderguy]

****, I forgot about the trunk molding/seal lip! My heart sank a little because I actually thought I was done welding.
Six hours later and I am done welding. I cleaned the welder up and put it under the bench. That lip was a little bit of a pain as it has a slight bow to it, but it all worked out just fine. Not perfect as there is a little space on one plug weld but not bad enough to tear apart and try to fix.

 

[Builderguy]

Back to the trunk. Sanded the rain gutter down. What a PITA that was taking it down to bare metal. Masked it off for the epoxy.

Okay, this is a little funny! Remember when the shop guy teaching you how to paint told you to ALWAYS walk around the vehicle and make sure: 1) You had enough hose to reach everywhere 2) All the taped off areas were secure (spray with just air to make sure) 3) There was nothing on the floor you were going to trip over 4) Practice your spay plan to make sure you could reach everything and nothing was going to block your stroke 5) Double check that everything was tack clothed twice 6) Make sure that you blew the voids down so no dirt would fly up as you were spraying 7) YOU ALL GET the general idea. If you have followed this thread you know the rotisserie I am using is new to me. This is the first body I have sprayed using it. I usually do all (okay, most) of the above listed plus a lot more. Guess which one I did not do today. If you picked #4 Go buy a lotto ticket. There I was, all smiles, just a spraying away until I ran right into the main rotisserie support with my spray hand. Instant run!!! I just chuckled and thought about my old shop teacher and how he must be laughing his *** off!!!! Not a big deal as I can sand it out when it dries. Just a little reminder to all of us to do it like you were taught as technique is built upon experience.

 

[Builderguy]

Just finished out in the garage. A little too warm for me, 92 and 44% humidity, but I did get the body all in high build primer with only one little snag.

When I sprayed the second coat on the roof I rotated the car 90 degrees to make it easier. I forgot about this little guy.

Which will do this to fresh primer

Better to screw up now, with primer, than when spraying BC or CC. I knew the release handle was there but didn't remember it touching the car. The area involved needs more work so it is not a problem just an annoyance.
Follow this thread and I will keep showing you what NOT to do.

 

[Builderguy]

Time to block, block, block, and block some more. I actually don't mind this part of the job. Turn Motor trend on the TV or turn up the music and just sand away.