Next question: Panels

[gunsports]

Now that I'm stripping parts off the Landy, I'm finding a lot of small tears in the alu panels, especially in corners. Not major cracks, about 2-5cm average. I'm to mean/broke to toss a complete panel just because of a small crack. Is there a way to fix this? I've been thinking of backing the cracked area with a thin, about 1.2mm galv. steel sheet panel, blind rivited on from the rear and cleaning up with a little body putty. What about galvanic action? Advice please.

[JDNSW]

Now that I'm stripping parts off the Landy, I'm finding a lot of small tears in the alu panels, especially in corners. Not major cracks, about 2-5cm average. I'm to mean/broke to toss a complete panel just because of a small crack. Is there a way to fix this? I've been thinking of backing the cracked area with a thin, about 1.2mm galv. steel sheet panel, blind rivited on from the rear and cleaning up with a little body putty. What about galvanic action? Advice please.

Do not do that - as you say, galvanic action! The general idea is feasible, but use aluminium not galv steel sheet, and preferably no thicker than the panel. Solid rivets are better than blind rivets for this work, and as suggested, a little body putty.

But the best solution is to weld the cracks. If you do not have the skills or equipment to do this, find someone who does.

John

[chazza]

Alternatively; glue aluminium patches behind the crack with Sikaflex Adhesive. No rivets will be needed and only light clamping pressure is required e.g. from a weight,

Cheers Charlie

[hodgo]

What JD & Chazza say are good advice, but when repairing cracks in any metals that is going to be sujected to stress and strained as a vehicle suffers from time to time it is advisable to drill a small hole right at the end of the crack before makeing any repair It stops the crack going any further The hole cn be filled with weld or what ever.

Hodgo