Good thing Rocker panels were in the budget

[mmagic]

Even worse than I expected when I opened them up.


I know that "The Right Way" to remove rockers, other sheet metal etc. is to drill out the spot weld... But if the part is not to be saved, the Merlin Method is an air chisel.


I then angle grinder wire brushed any scale off.


And brushed on a coat of Master Series primer/sealer.


Two hours and two rocker panels ready for UPS from Classic Enterprises.

[bob40]

Going to be a nice one when finished.Thanks for the updates.

[SN-60]

You're 'Gettin It Done'!!! Very nice work.

[mmagic]

bob40... My target is just a high driver that I can put 10,000 to 15,000 a year on. On a restore, I take many, many cell phone pictures before so I can remember where to place that wire or bracket when we are putting it back together, during I take pictures so I can remember how to do it the next time and after so I can pat myself on the back for what I've done.

The posts are simply to share the "how" I used to perhaps help someone else know what to do or what not to do. In some cases I'm sure the certified mechanics/rebuilders get their daily laughs off of my approach.

They didn't teach car restoration in CPA school. They did teach me how to do budgets and Gantt charts so they are as much of my approach to restoration as Liquid Wrench, HVLP and base Clearcoat.

[52 Ragtop]

Merlin,
If you are going to weld those, you'll need to clean off the primer sealer, and get some weld thru primer and spray on there. If you are going to glue the rockers back on with panel bond, you'll still need to clean off all the primer sealer.

Jim

[mmagic]

I'll:
1) punch holes for plug welds in the rockers
2) Align with self tapping screws
3) Mark the plug holes on the inner rocker
4) Clear MS from the the marks.
5) Spray weld through at those locations.
6) Plug weld
7) Grind plugs smooth

Used this technique on the Champ and it worked great while sealing the rest of the inner rocker. Also, inside of the Rocker panel will be MS coated before being attached.

[mmagic]

Rocker panels arrived yesterday.

This AM I de-greased them and coated the inside with Master Series.


Sanded the threshold and bottom inner rocker panel for weld; applied weld through primer.


Punched plug weld holes in the bottom lip of the rocker


Clamped and temp screwed into location


Tack welded the rocker to the threshold and plug welded the bottom lip to the inner rocker panel.


Ground threshold welds smooth. And, coated threshold with fiberglass bondo to seal


< 2 hours...

[BobPalma]

Beautiful work, Merlin. Congratulations. BP

[mmagic]

Thanks Bob for the compliment but my work is all pretty amateur. My intent is simply to visually document with the thought that perhaps.. just perhaps... it may give someone else a better idea on how to do their project.

[SN-60]

One thing's for sure....You don't waste any time!

[52 Ragtop]

I hope you did not use Copper Coat as weld through primer! As it's not!

Jim

[mmagic]

The Gantt chart says I need to Epoxy Prime, base and clear those parts of the shell that will not be color sanded: firewall, door jams, door perimeter, trunk inside, inside of fender vents and gas tank filler hole before remounting the shell to frame. And, I plan to remount next week .... if I can get the rest of the under coat off and the bottom sealed.

So, rockers were a pleasant arrival that I hadn't scheduled to see until next week that needed to fall in to the above schedule and one more block on the Gantt now marked off.

I'm going to violate the LA firewall and under hood color conventions because dark engine holes don't show off the power plant.... Ivory to the engine compartment... not Pimlico gray.. sorry purists... Got the Ivory yesterday and have the epoxy and clear coat left over from previous. I won't be high build surfacer and block these items.

[mmagic]

52_Ragtop... No grabbed the wrong can for the picture.

[52 Ragtop]

OK Glad to hear that!

Jim

[53commander]

The posts are simply to share the "how" I used to perhaps help someone else know what to do or what not to do. In some cases I'm sure the certified mechanics/rebuilders get their daily laughs off of my approach.

I'm a certified mechanic and think you're doing a fantastic job so far.