Stitch welding a long seam - 1966 Jeep CJ5
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:21 pm
Hi everyone. This is my first post here.
I’ve been restoring a 1966 Jeep CJ5, and I’ve made it through the frame and engine. The body is the last major phase, but I’m a total beginner at body work, and I was hoping I could ask for some advice and help on my project. In particular I’m hoping to get some advice with the part I’m working on right now which is cutting out rotten rocker panels and replacing with new steel.
The replacement panels are stamped in 18ga like the original. They are flanged inwards at the seam so they slide in behind the original body metal. The weld seam can then have double thickness and be ground flush.
I have the RH rocker tacked in place where it goes, and I have to stitch in along the seam a dot at a time.
The issue I have is that when I hold a straightedge along the seam it is currently high:
hat I am wondering is what I can do to increase the chances of the seam being hidden with Bondo before I dot-planish-wait-dot-planish-wait (repeat) all along the seam? Is it worth trying to smack the seam down with a hammer and dolly before dot welding it? I’m trying to avoid ending up with a high ridge all along the seam and I actually want it to be a valley, correct?
Thanks. I’m wide open to any ideas and suggestions.
I’ve been restoring a 1966 Jeep CJ5, and I’ve made it through the frame and engine. The body is the last major phase, but I’m a total beginner at body work, and I was hoping I could ask for some advice and help on my project. In particular I’m hoping to get some advice with the part I’m working on right now which is cutting out rotten rocker panels and replacing with new steel.
The replacement panels are stamped in 18ga like the original. They are flanged inwards at the seam so they slide in behind the original body metal. The weld seam can then have double thickness and be ground flush.
I have the RH rocker tacked in place where it goes, and I have to stitch in along the seam a dot at a time.
The issue I have is that when I hold a straightedge along the seam it is currently high:
hat I am wondering is what I can do to increase the chances of the seam being hidden with Bondo before I dot-planish-wait-dot-planish-wait (repeat) all along the seam? Is it worth trying to smack the seam down with a hammer and dolly before dot welding it? I’m trying to avoid ending up with a high ridge all along the seam and I actually want it to be a valley, correct?
Thanks. I’m wide open to any ideas and suggestions.