screw holes that held on the drip rails

[Rc 415]

I'm shaving the drip rails, and wanted to know if I could just bondo the holes from the scews that held the drip rails on? also, how to I get the screw holes to get flat and level with the metal around it? It looks like the screws pulled the metal out a little around each hole. Do I just tap them with a hammer?

[old Rusty C10]

tap em in with a hammer ad if ya can weld em up otherwise ondo will work but isnt as good as welding you can tap em in with a peen end of a hammer. or a body hammer..

[Restrorob]

I'm doing the same, Tap um flush with a body hammer and weld um up....

[Rc 415]

Ok well I dont have acess to a welder, looks like bondo it is.

[bad_burb]

I'm no bodyman but I would say grind'em flush. You wouldn't be taking off much material and you have to grind down the area for the weld anyway. I would think that taping them down with a hammer would create a larger dimple in the metal which would mean even more bodywork. Oh, and I say no bondo.

[bigblock73]

Don't bondo them shut, do it right and weld them or have them welded.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by bad_burb

I'm no bodyman but I would say grind'em flush.

Grinding flush would make the hole bigger and the material on the inside edge of the hole thinner and possibly easier for rust through.

[Rc 415]

how much would you say a little spot welding like that cost?

[Eyegore]

I would suggest looking on craigslist in your area, people here in phoenix are always selling small welders - wire fed, for a couple of hundred, or have a freind with access to a welder do it for some beer, lol - beer goes a long way in a freindship.

[dubdeuce80]

at the verrry least, use kitty hair if you don't decide to get them welded. although like everyone else said, i would HIGHLY recommend welding it. as for them sticking out, a little tap with a pick hammer should do the trick

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by Eyegore

I would suggest looking on craigslist in your area, people here in phoenix are always selling small welders - wire fed, for a couple of hundred, or have a freind with access to a welder do it for some beer, lol - beer goes a long way in a freindship.

Sucks that I know not a soul that knows a thing about cars or welding, or even painthing for that matter. And that I'm only 18, no beer for me or my friends.

[Eyegore]

Well that is very wise of you, I spoke to soon. Again my son was able to get a welder , small amp but still did the job when he removed his drip rail. Wait are you still in high school - do they have a metal shop? Ask the shop teacher for help most will comply and eager to help, but heck I've been out of school some 32 years.

[Rc 415]

Yeah last 3 weeks of Highschool, no no metal shop, or auto shop either.

[krue]

Check with the local Junior Colleges, alot of them offer shop or auto shop.

[knightlife]

trust the experts...have it welded...it will save you a headache later. I have to use the auto hobby shop welder here on base, I hate friggin arc, but oh well...

[Srubydo1986]

me personally would wait tell ur ready for paint so when you go to get it painted you can remove them and let the body shop take care of it. But thats just me

[piecesparts]

Weld them, the bondo can loosen and leak at alater date, NOT GOOD.

[79underconstruction]

well on the holes on my doors from the old huge mirrors i used ALL METAL.. its a silver puddy like stuff and it comes with hardener. this stuff in my opinion works really well.. but bondo would work to.. but with bondo u dont really want to paint over it cuz it gets like dots n it after sanding it and u can tell it is bondo. with all metal theres no telling u apply it let it set when it is drysand it with some 400 grit and with some 1000 and your ready to paint over it.. but if u do decide to use bondo theres a reddish puddy cant think of the name of it now but and u can spread that redish puddy over the bondo once the bondo is dry. then sand that red puddddy with some 1000 and your ready for paint.. i hope this help good luck man

[piecesparts]

Once again, weld or fill with lead solder to get the proper seal, the flexing of the body and the hot sun will cause some temperature fatigue in time.