Drivers quarter Partie Trois

So I was tinkering today.

Started with the sandblaster as it was the first no rainy day in a week.

This is the aforementioned slice I cut in the forward panel to allow for the overlap and welds necessary for the new panel attachment.  The rear portion will be attached through customary means via access from rear of panel through kitchen.


As you can see, the sandblaster made nice work of cleaning off any of the rust, finish and undercoating applied at the factory.

I have nice clean surfaces to adhere the new panel and make it as good as new.

The replacement panel is a bit thinner than the factory sheet metal.  I have not measured it, but I would guess the new panel is a 22 gauge and the factory is 18.








So, I still need to assess how I will deal with the floor extension that used to sit with the seam that was rusting out.  Now without that seam, I have no place readily available to attach the floor extension.  Suppose I can custom bend something and attach with an auto body adhesive.  The floor piece does not support weight. Its mostly for the continuance of the floor panel, to avoid any body shifting noise and to seal up the body compartment.  I need to come up with a solution and I am currently of the thought to install the outer panel, and do any floor piece from the inside.

Well, while I contemplate this dilemma - I got to finishing the sandblasting of the rear quarter after the wheel arch was installed, again went over the seams and made sure the rain gutter was done up right.

Then I got the panel cleaned up, taped up and another final cleaning before laying a nice coat of the Metalok epoxy primer.

Now that panel is wrapped up and the only ones left are the center panel (which I am working on) and the roof panel (which I have no clue how I will proceed).

I do want to get in the jamb of the rear hatch with the sandblaster prior to coating with the high build primer.  I will be able to metal tape off the portions of the van that I have already primed, scuff up the edges and apply the Metalok inside the jamb.

Maybe tomorrow night I will tack in the new rocker panel and make up a block plate to weld in to get rid of this vent hole.

This hole was for the refrigerator vent flue.  Since I have removed the refrigerator, I see no reason to keep the hole - seems like another potential source of leaks.

Today's tobacco creation. Flavorful, good draw but tough burn.