Applying filler to engine bay

[L14MNP]

Hello all you styling pro's. I want to know how you go about applying body filler to inner wings etc to get the smooth all flowing into one look.
It looks as though it will need to be quite thick to hide the seams?

Obviously I don't want to cake it on, also is it wise to cover every area or just that which needs it? I know it takes many many hours of work to get right and I am willing to put the graft in I just want to know the best way to go about it.

Obviously everywhere I have deleted thing from has been plated/welded up.

I have some so called flexible filler by plastic padding here. Is this the stuff to use?

If it cracks when complete I will be gutted lol

Any info appreciated :thumb:

[BIGS]

just weld metal there instead like ive done, if you havent seen what ive done ill try and find pics to show you

[bola]

If i was doing it i would use a fibreglass filler and then skim it with body filler. Although i want more info as im thinking of doing this too!

[BIGS]

yea but if you use any type of filler it WILL crack over time more easly then if you weld a plate in and just give it a skim of filler just to smooth it

[L14MNP]

Ah not more plates lol!

How would I weld a plate where the seams overlap it's a crazy shape. My Nissan not Nova btw :(

Pics would rock BIGS. nice one

[L14MNP]

Here is where I am at atm
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7744/dsc00642vl9.th.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00642vl9.jpg)
Where the turret meets the inner wing etc is my main areas for concern, was wondering if I should stitch weld there, but the metal is so thin and it pisses me off lol

I have had to leave it in primer and it's annoying cos I want to get on with it, got my loom all made up, everything deleted/hidden/rerouted etc but this bit scares me lol

[L14MNP]

I would lead it but I have seen awesome results with filler. The car is far from a daily drive so it isn't going to be hammered all the time.

Did Austin lead fill his? I need to check back on his WIP.

Also the guy with the blue mk2 with the polished cav turbo wheels has this done, J44 SMO?

Here's the same side on mine prior to welding
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9156/photo0173mr1.th.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0173mr1.jpg)

It's hard to see there but there is a million and one holes, along the chassis leg and everywhere. I have 80% of them smooth enough to skim and then you wouldn't notice them but it's the other 20% that is a concern and the seams etc as said. I have had it with grinding them, I have thinned the metal out too much in some areas and it took a while to sort lol

[BIGS]

hmm i spose you could do it the same way just have to shape it alot more tho. but i cut the inner arch out so that bit near the wing mounting bit dont worry about that

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/b17ova/2ltr/backoftheengine035.jpg

if you see what i mean about cutting the inner wing out and building it back up

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/b17ova/2ltr/backoftheengine033.jpg

[L14MNP]

Looks awesome mate, nice fabrication. I didn't want to go that route ^ but I see the sense in it.

lol so you are the one that used a wheel brace to retain the shape/strength as you cut the inner wings about :D

I hope I haven't wasted my time. All the VAGs/Honda boys (US) seem to get away with my method but no real mention on what 'bondo' they use etc lol

[BIGS]

Umm yea why have people been saying about it :confused:

Hmm tbh it depends you might be able to get something that goes hard but still has give in it.

And the only reason i done what i did is because i didnt think the inner arches were that strong so under where the plate is ive box the two bits together as you can see in the second pic. and tbh it has made so much diffrence

[L14MNP]

No-one's said anything mate, I just remember you posting it and I admired the useage of an othewise crap item. Here's me thinking a wheel brace had zero use lol.

I have a trade sized tin of something called bridging compound or bridging filler in the garage (mate gave me it) It's like ready mixed fibreglass, I wonder If I could do some areas with that?

I really really don't want to bodge it so to speak after all the other work that's gone in on this part and every where else.

BIGS method FTW

[BIGS]

Ah right i thought people might of thought it was a stupid idea and was on about it, well cheers :D

And seeing as you got some stuff there, are you handy with a welder at all. if so weld two plates together so you have a corner and put the compound there. and when it drys see what its like and if it has any give. that way if it dont work you havent wasted any time on the car and only used a little bit on some scrap metal

[L14MNP]

Cool. my track coilovers will probably shatter even my welds lol

Yeah I can use the welder no bother. Will give that a bash dude (literally) lol

[mikey14sr]

I'd personaly weld the joint up, then grind down and lead fill over the top. The welding will help prevent to much flexing, any flex left the lead will be able to cope with, fibre-glass paste and bodyfiller don't cope well with flex.

[Dod]

Thats not a Nova.


BOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU HIPPY!!!


Look at Keith Robinsons NDZ Project, he's had his welded and filler/fibreglassed over which looked the nuts.