Defender 110 capping strips

[copba]

G'day all,


Hoping for a bit of advice here, yesterday I had some work done on my beloved defender at an auto electricians.

To cut a long story short I now have a hole through the body,where the steel capping strip which runs along under the window is. :mad:
Apprentice was going to screw a saddle to hold a cable.:bangin:(Must be too used to working on Jap stuff with plastic trims everywhere).

They have been very honest, and helpful about it, and said they'll pay for it to be fixed at a panel beaters.

My question is, how to fix it?

How are the capping strips held on?

It's only a little hole, so I was thinking if they could remove the capping strip weld up the hole in it, or replace the capping strip, and then seal the hole in the 1/4 panel with sikaflex.

Any ideas / suggestions?

I want to have some ideas in my head before I see a panel beater, and discuss what we can do.

Maybe it's a good time to upgrade to galv cappings, like the counties, and series.


Cheers

[wrinklearthur]

Hi

Is the position of this hole at the back corner of the vehicle and could a blind pop rivet fill it ?
.

[copba]

G'day Arthur,

Thanks.

The hole is near the back door, they were installing an outlet to the upright behind the seat, and running cable along the side to battery in back corner.

Good idea, a blind rivet might work, if it was monel, or something that wouldn't cause bi-metallic corrosion between steel capping piece, and aluminium panel.

Would possibly look odd as the hole isn't 'square' in the capping.


Cheers

[MR LR]

If they are offering to fix it, get it done, their insurance will cover it so get it done properly, you may want to sell the car some day haha

[isuzurover]

The capping is an L shape. It is riveted to the aluminium skin of the tub, and the roof needs to be removed to change the cappings.

So they have drilled through both the capping and the Al skin??

I would get both the capping and the Al skin tig welded (then repainted). (you can get at the Al skin from the inside after removing the relvant interior panel).

I think that is the best compromise...

[copba]

The capping is an L shape. It is riveted to the aluminium skin of the tub, and the roof needs to be removed to change the cappings.

So they have drilled through both the capping and the Al skin??

I would get both the capping and the Al skin tig welded (then repainted). (you can get at the Al skin from the inside after removing the relvant interior panel).

I think that is the best compromise...

Thanks isuzurover,


Yikes roof off, that's a huge job. Not sure that I would trust a local panel beater to do that properly, even although it's just a dozen 10mm bolts.

Yes the hole is through the capping, and the aluminium panel behind it. It's been drilled from the inside right through.

I agree, Tig welding, and repainting, sounds like the best compromise. Do you reckon that could be done 'in situ' as it were?

It's simply not worth the additional problems that would be caused by removing roof etc.

I'm going to see the bloke they recommended on Monday, to see what he reckons.


Cheers

[isuzurover]

Thanks isuzurover,


Yikes roof off, that's a huge job. Not sure that I would trust a local panel beater to do that properly, even although it's just a dozen 10mm bolts.

Yes the hole is through the capping, and the aluminium panel behind it. It's been drilled from the inside right through.

I agree, Tig welding, and repainting, sounds like the best compromise. Do you reckon that could be done 'in situ' as it were?

It's simply not worth the additional problems that would be caused by removing roof etc.

I'm going to see the bloke they recommended on Monday, to see what he reckons.


Cheers

Yes, it could be done in situ. Bear in mind most panel shops only have MIG, not TIG equipment, and cannot weld Al.

[flagg]

To tig Ali that thin you would be looking for a total gun.. Not a job for the apprentice!

[copba]

Thanks guy's,


Yes, I am aware most panel shops don't have Tig. Although Ally can be welded with Mig if they change the gas, and wire.

And to do it properly, and neatly, they're gonna want to be pretty damn good.

This is such a bugger, for a small hole.

Thanks again for your advice.


Cheers

[goingbush]

Mate, Whatever they are going to spend to get it repaired, offer to take the cash instead, then go and put a rivet in the hole.

You let your pride & joy of your hands for idiots to work on & this is what happens, there are so many stories just like yours.

The only person that understands Landrovers are Landrover Specialists, and I'm not talking Dealers , they make just as many stuff ups.

Possibly the panel beaters could stuff it up even more

[flagg]

Although Ally can be welded with Mig if they change the gas, and wire.


The problem with MIG is that it would be next to impossible to do such a small hole neatly.. you can't point the gun right at it as the wire will go straight through..

With TIG at least you could do it like a tac weld - pre-heat the bottom of the hole, then the top with a little filler and sew it into the bottom, filling the hole - to fill it without welding a backing plate in (which would be an unnecessary reminder..)

[Brad110]

they come out of the factory with dents anyway. its just been customised.