Thread: 86 inch wing panels

Originally Posted by mfc

just a thought on the vibration cracks that form near the firewall on 86{88?}
wings.
mine has minor ones on the left hand side , rather than riverting material to them has any one tried/ thought of folding up some donor panel material and silkaflex'ing it to the panel?
basicly a {say} 3 x 5 inch piece with a lip folded for firewall and one for the guard bottom edge....
Any thoughts negative or positive?
regards mark

Hi Mark

My thoughts for repairing 'HECter's mudguards is to tidy up the bent material, fit in patches around the holes ( butt welding with a TIG,) and spot weld a new corner section inside the old damage.
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That way the repair is hidden and the strength is improved.

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Hi Mark

Using a sikkaflex reinforcing patch on the underside will work well, I've seen an entire seat box manufactured using it without welds of any type. I would suggest Arthur's idea of a TIG repair before the patch also a good idea.

Diana

I have extensively repaired a radiator support panel and seat box using reinforcing strips and panel adhesives. I intend to repair my wings the same way.

The purests may cring but to me it offers a cost effective, strong repair without the hassle of welding aluminium (I only have a stick welder).

Cheers,

hmm I might have a crack at this one day myself. What are those vibration cracks I have never seen them, well at least I do not think I have.

I have used sikaflex for the very same purpose you mention (well not so much cracks as worn out and eaten out bolt holes more to the point) and so far am quite happy with the results. I also re-manufactured my passenger side door with a new folded skin "sikaflexed" to the old frame and that also is holding up well. A slight tap with an appropriate punch will replicate the spot weld marks.
But having said that, go and talk to your local vehicle repair shop (panelbeaters) and ask can you have any left overs of the new glue (I have no idea of its name - but it is stronger than any weld I have seen) they use on European car repairs. Many current Euro cars, (remember that they now own many other well known brands as well) are all glued together rather than spot welded today.
I say to ask for any leftovers, as a tube costs well in excess of $100. It also has a very short shelf life once opened!
Modern day coaches are all held together with "sikaflex" and have been for the past 20 years or so. Try and remember the last one you saw with rivets down the sides.
Regards
Glen

Originally Posted by zulu Delta 534

But having said that, go and talk to your local vehicle repair shop (panelbeaters) and ask can you have any left overs of the new glue (I have no idea of its name - but it is stronger than any weld I have seen) they use on European car repairs. Many current Euro cars, (remember that they now own many other well known brands as well) are all glued together rather than spot welded today.
I say to ask for any leftovers, as a tube costs well in excess of $100. It also has a very short shelf life once opened!
Modern day coaches are all held together with "sikaflex" and have been for the past 20 years or so. Try and remember the last one you saw with rivets down the sides. Regards Glen

Thanks Glen

It looks like I need to come up to speed on body panel fixing methods, so I'm keen now to find out about the name of that glue.
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Originally Posted by Landy Smurf

hmm I might have a crack at this one day myself. What are those vibration cracks I have never seen them, well at least I do not think I have.

ill pop up a pic tomorow ,moreb abvibration crack that runs a few cm's up from near the firewall fold on the wing....i think its an 86 inch posibly 88 thing,or perhaps just the scarcity of good 86 wings here....
Arthur.....i did put out forcefull fealers for competent tig welders to no avail, the silkaflex/ high tec glue idea while not invisable would i think be stronger than a weld repair on fatigued aloy{basicaly doubble the thickness of the area and the firewall lip and guard lip with a scrap door panel

it is said to be removable ,but only "mecanicaly" ,i doknow it takes a week to get off youre hands...

Originally Posted by zulu Delta 534

I have used sikaflex for the very same purpose you mention (well not so much cracks as worn out and eaten out bolt holes more to the point) and so far am quite happy with the results. I also re-manufactured my passenger side door with a new folded skin "sikaflexed" to the old frame and that also is holding up well. A slight tap with an appropriate punch will replicate the spot weld marks.
But having said that, go and talk to your local vehicle repair shop (panelbeaters) and ask can you have any left overs of the new glue (I have no idea of its name - but it is stronger than any weld I have seen) they use on European car repairs. Many current Euro cars, (remember that they now own many other well known brands as well) are all glued together rather than spot welded today.
I say to ask for any leftovers, as a tube costs well in excess of $100. It also has a very short shelf life once opened!
Modern day coaches are all held together with "sikaflex" and have been for the past 20 years or so. Try and remember the last one you saw with rivets down the sides.
Regards
Glen

great idea re flogged out bolt holes glen ....i best get a 10 litre bucket lol