The Cal-look Lounge

Picture 1 is what I started with. Picture 2 is panel cleaned. Picture 3 is new patch, Picture 4 is patch trimmed and fitted, And picture 5 the panel finished. The metal was O-to thin to weld, Lots of fun

The rest of pictures

Thanks for the complement mark.

Really nice work Danny.

--louis

Amazing craftsmanship.  Something I wish I was more capable of.  I should probably start by buying a arc or mig welder eh?

Nah, I'll just keep it simple as usual.

Amazing.

Unreal...!

  Great stuff Danny!  These new FYI how to show and tells you've been doing are great.  Definitely top notch proper methods thanks for all you do.

Thanks guys and appreciate the feedback

Thanks for the pics Danny.  Don't ever feel like you shouldn't post something here, it is always an inspiration.

How was welding around the curve by that pressing?  Seems like that would be a tough spot.

PS what did you "clean" with?  Looks dipped?

I still wish I'd bought your black Ghia!

Javabug, Thanks. Welding around that close to the strenghting bead controled the heat and that tends to give ya less worpage. When you weld up a place where you can not get to after the final weld, I cheat and weld next to something strong and will control the heat in a very flat panel. kind off funny I did the second side different from the first. ALways learning from my mistakes.

Funny how your "mistakes" look better than most peoples best work

O-Honey, HUSH ! Thanks randy

Great work as usual Danny. Did you mig or tig the holes? Most of the time I do this type of repair, (and I tig the spot weld holes), the material that has the holes punched tends to melt away before I get a puddle underneath. So I tend to go with the mig to fill quickly. Is there a trick with this technique? Thanks. Casey.

Are you using Sillica-Bronze rod?

I used the tig casey and your correct on the bronze. Less heat and the original metal was so bad I did not use my spot welder.

Hi Danny in Picture #2 what did you use to clean the panel? it looks like it was Dipped?

I used metal conditioner, Or metal prep, Its a acid you can get at any autobody paint store. I keep it wet, Useing a cheap 1.0 paint brush for a couple days then go wallnut shell blast, repeat as needed till comes clean. Then wire brush real good

You're an artist Danny : )  Amazing!

Thanks lisa. Now were is the cookies?

When is Wilkerson visiting you?  If you let me know... I'll make a double batch and ship them up  :-*

Thanks for a great thread Danny!
Cool to see that others also invest time on our rotten old bugs.
Here's a pic from when I did mine...
(http://vw2you.com/Public/Uploads/Post-24-4217-H_rnan_Agda.jpg)

Nice stuff also JHU, You do real nice work  , If you get time post more stuff.

Thanks for the compliment Danny, your threads and methods are a great inspiration to us all!

WOW that is Superb Danny - Lets just hope I can do the rest of the Car justice  ;) :)

(and yes that does mean the panel is for PROJECT 66)

Thanks Lee for being so patient.

Danny,

What gauge and type of metal do you like to use for your repair panels or fabricating body skin parts from?

Rick M
Wittman, AZ

  Hey rick, I use 19 or 20 guage most of the time on VWs stuff

Danny, you do great work! I am doing this for Marc Buehler's '51 split. I have a Ghia also.

Cool to hear from you dude - Get Marc to post some pic's of the body work  ;) :)

Danny,

I am using 18 gauge, only because the earlier German original tin was so stout.  The aftermarket parts are crap for fit and gauge.  I have found some of the aftermarket stuff as much as .008 to .010 thinner. So, I prefer straightening an original piece whenever possible, unless is is rusted out.

You are doing some really nice stuff.

Rick M

Just wait till you see what we have planned eh Danny  :-X ;) :)