Hi Ken, I know a little about body work so I will try to answer your
questions.
1. We always use a die grinder to cut panels. Use a panel cutter to
cut the center out. Leave a couple of inches on the outer perimeter, then
use a die grinder to make your final cut. It also depends on what kind of
vehicle you are working on. Some are unibody cars some have full frames.
The unibodys are the best to work on. It is easier to hide the seam on the
bottom side. The factory usually puts undercoat or calking on the top side
to hide the seam.
2. I always like to lap a panel when working on a trunk or interior
floor. Some times you are unable to use a offset tool because of ribs,
braces or accessability. I always look for a factory seam.
3. lapping a panel and plug welding is the best. It causes less
warpage than other methods. One example is if you are putting a trunk
floor in a 300G. Take a die grinder and cut on top of the inside of the
frame rail. The panel that you are putting in will rest on one half of the
lip and the existing floor is on the other half. Then plug weld every two
to three inches. At the front of the floor there is a brace. Use the same
procedure. You will not see any seam on the bottom side because of the
frame and bracing. The top seam can be filled or calked or undercoated.
At the rear of the floor is a factory seam. The factory was very liberal
with caulking.
4. In my opinion seat belts do not detract from the show quality of a
car. They are safety related items. Most judges would not tick you for
them, unless of course their the other guys brother-in -law, friend,
business partner, etc.etc.etc.etc.etc.etc. I have a thing about shows and
judges.
5. I do not think that color changing would adversely affect the show
quality of the car, however if you were at a show and running neck and
neck with another car and your ID plate refelected a different color and
the other cars ID was correct you would come in second.
6. I would paint the trunk interior with the correct color.
Larry Menges
----------
> From: Rimington, Ken <Ken_Rimington@xxxxxxx>
> To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [FORWARDLOOK] >>>Floor Panels
> Date: Monday, March 23, 1998 2:03 PM
>
> As a newcomer to body work, I have a few questions:
>
> I need to replace the trunk pan and passenger floor pan
> 1. Does anyone have good tips on removing the replacement parts
> from the parts car without warping or distortions?
>
> 2. Should the panels be butt welded or lap welded with an
> offset tool?
>
> 3. What is the best method for welding without causing an ugly
> seam?
>
> I want to add seat belts and shoulder straps for safety.
> 4. Will seat belts detract from the show quality of a car that
> did not originally have this equipment. (assuming the modification is
> professional quality)
>
> I intend changing the color from red/charcoal factory colors to
> blue/blue factory colors.
> 5. Will changed colors that match factory colors adversely
> affect the show quality of the car? (This is a frame-off restoration
> project, so the color change will be complete and match factory color
> schemes.)
>
> In 1956 the trunk interior was left primer gray color.
>
> 6. If the trunk interior is painted to match the exterior
> colors, will this detract from the show quality of the car?
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