Shell Prep Q's

Hi to everyone,

I'm kind of new here and just beggining to build my first rally car. I started stipping the car a couple weeks ago and now I'm preping the shell. I've attached a few pictures to show you where I'm at. The car is a '94 Impretzel.

My questions are:

a) I'm doing my best to remove all the visable seam sealer. I'm using a razor and scraper for the large gobs, a small flathead screwdriver for the smaller stuff, and finnishing up by dragging or picking out the rest I can get with a set of dental picks. Then I'm wire brushing the area to get the little stragglers. Here and there I think that some sealer is remaining will that mess up a MIG weld? Am I doing allright preping the seams to be stich welded?

b) The goopy ruber like crap in the wheelwells, what is an efficient way to remove it? I tried using a wire wheel (crimped with 0.,014 wire) on my angle grinder, and other than it having a mind of it's own as to which direction it wants to go, I'm affriad it's going to be too harsh and damage the metal underneath. Is my fear valid?

c) What type of paint (type/brand) is best to use on the seams after they are welded? Self-etching primer? (oh, and I don't currently own any paint spraying equipment)


Anything you can think of that might be good for me to consider.... please share.

Thanks,

Daniel B

















Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2009 09:46AM by Daniel Buehler.

You got them pretty clean already but the seam sealer reacts badly with welding. Try using a propane torch and a wire brush to get the rear out of the seams. It's what I use. Also good for removing paint in hard to reach areas.

if you have a 90 degree "dental pick" type tool, those work really well for digging out some of the burnt or even not burnt stragglers stuck in seams.

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Welcome to the cult of JVL drink the koolaid or be banned.

You have those joints pretty clean....as clean...maybe cleaner than i got mine. The propane torch idea does work well...

I don't know how good of a welder you are, but once you learn the techique you should be able to do it...

turn up the shielding gas and have at it

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Chris

Put an electric fan in the car to draw the fumes out, away from you. Some of that stuff is flat nasty on the lungs. Also put in ear plugs when welding in the car. The high freq cracking makes my ears ring for hours afterwards.

In addition to what Gene said, a basic (the pink filtered) mask under your helmet will help keep that shit out of your lungs. If you smoke, dont bother. It'll just save you some money on cancer sticks Same shit, anyway.

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Welcome to the cult of JVL drink the koolaid or be banned.

Good tips. Thanks.

I've been surprised a couple times by noise inside the empty shell being way more of an annoyance than I'm used to.

Wow! That was effective.

The seam sealer just bubbled right out.

I definetly feel good about the seam prep now. Any input for 'b' and 'c'...

b) The goopy ruber like crap in the wheelwells, what is an efficient way to remove it? I tried using a wire wheel (crimped with 0.,014 wire) on my angle grinder, and other than it having a mind of it's own as to which direction it wants to go, I'm affriad it's going to be too harsh and damage the metal underneath. Is my fear valid?

c) What type of paint (type/brand) is best to use on the seams after they are welded? Self-etching primer? (oh, and I don't currently own any paint spraying equipment)

Thanks



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2009 09:45AM by Daniel Buehler.

Only way i got all that crap off my wheel wells was

1. Wire cup wheel on a grinder
2. heat gun/propane torch.

I think this is the ONLY place on a Subaru where Johns "death ray" would be useful.


Paint...i actually used a 2 part brush on Urethane Epoxy Paint for the entire underside of my car. Brushed/rolled it on, and it has held up well. I can get you details if you want. I wanted the underside WHITE!

Inside etc...i know it's a shame since you spent SOO long picking it out..but you do need to seal up those seams a little again...I use automotive seam sealer to seal everything back up, then just prime/paint. I sprayed my interior, cage, engine bay, trunk, etc with the same paint i used on the outside of the car.

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Chris

In case you are wondering, the "death ray" is a hose hooked to a tank of liquid nitrogen. You hose down an area, let it cool for a minute, then that thick goop pretty much falls off. The smallest tank is huge, costs about $250 and is enough to do a whole car, (like Your-a-peein' models that are completely coated in that crap.)


If you are going for it with the 4 inch wire wheel, don't wory about the metal, jus worry about protecting your hands.

alkun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In case you are wondering, the "death ray" is a
> hose hooked to a tank of liquid nitrogen. You hose
> down an area, let it cool for a minute, then that
> thick goop pretty much falls off. The smallest
> tank is huge, costs about $250 and is enough to do
> a whole car, (like Your-a-peein' models that are
> completely coated in that crap.)
>
>
> If you are going for it with the 4 inch wire
> wheel, don't wory about the metal, jus worry about
> protecting your hands.

And your face.
(yep---working underneath, 4" cup brush accross cheek and chin)

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

mmmmm....pair of pliers and a blowtorch.


good thread.

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Jon Burke - KI6LSW
Blog: http://psgrallywrx.blogspot.com/

Chris,

Details on the paint would be great. White cars make me happy. I'm not a big fan of missing potential problems because I can't see them.

And, as for resealing where I've allready scraped, I was actually worried about all the potential dust issues I was creating - I'll feel better knowing that the car is sealed up again.

Daniel Buehler Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Good tips. Thanks.
>
> I've been surprised a couple times by noise inside
> the empty shell being way more of an annoyance
> than I'm used to.
>
> First rally car, a '94 Subarat is in progress...


Yeah, I got my self pretty good while stitching between my strut tower and firewall. Damn, that was loud.

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Welcome to the cult of JVL drink the koolaid or be banned.