ryanstev Posted September 24, 2023 Share Posted September 24, 2023 Hi all, I have a 1979 Ford Falcon XC and I'm looking to get some work performed on it and I'm looking for a panelbeater who can make a house call. I've contacted Mobile Rust Surgeon twice via email, but had no reply, so I'm not sure who else to try. There are three main areas that I need repaired, one is the driver's A-pillar, it was rusted out and needs a patch welded in, it's rust free now, but I'd feel better having this professionally welded in, rather than doing it myself. I understand a shim can and maybe should be inserted into the A-pillar for this type of repair. The other two areas are the C-pillars. They're rust free, but have dents on them and wouldn't pass a WOF. A picture of the left C-pillar can be viewed here: https://kaitaia.com/Project/Pictures/filler-left-c-pillar-4.jpg this is from back in 2010, when I painted this with POR15. It's bare metal now, but this shows off the warping quite well. A previous owner already had the dent pulled out and bogged over. A picture of the right C-pillar can be viewed here: https://kaitaia.com/Project/Pictures/2023/oil2.jpg this is from a couple months ago, I think it's a relatively simple dent to work on, but I couldn't pop it out from the back. Just above that dent is a square patch, this was a pretty poor repair, so I'd like that cut out and a new piece welded in, it'll be a good way to work on the dent while its open. There's a twist to all of this work though, which is, I want to keep the car bare metal. It's treated with boiled Linseed oil and white spirits to stop any rust. That second picture is how I want to keep the car's look. This means I need the dents on the C-pillars fixed as best as they can be and filled with either lead or solder, I'm obviously not a panelbeater, but I understand that this will add to the structural strength by doing it this way. If there's another way to do this that'll add structural strength, then I'm OK with a silver body filler that looks like steel and which doesn't need to be painted and can just be coated in the boiled Linseed, but I'd need a panelbeater who can make up a report stating that this repair is structurally sound. The repair doesn't need to look pretty, there are a few panels here and there that I and previous owners have replaced and I'm happy to keep the scars exposed, not covering them with filler. I just want the repairs to be able to pass a WOF check. I'm in Massey, West Auckland, just off Don Buck road, I have a steepish driveway, so a panelbeater with a caravan to work from wouldn't work, someone with a van of tools would be fine, I have a double bay garage with lots of room to work in and the car's on positioning dollies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sungai Sungai Posted December 9, 2023 Share Posted December 9, 2023 if you want a guy who works only in bare metal give Graeme Pope of Straight Line Restorations a call - 0211493333. He usually works weekends from his home workshop but you might be able to twist his arm to come tackle your pillar if its a single day job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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