Posted by Josh on Monday, May 17, 2004 at 12:12PM :
I know you guys do a lot of fabrication to fix rust? I want to replace the rusty portions of the body with stainless steel. What thickness steel do I need to purchase. It's for a 76 W200. Also how do you go about shaping the steel? What kind of special tools am I going to need? Aside from a couple of body hammers, a welder, and something semi circular to bend the steel with? If I am thinking correctly you try and bend the steel with the grain, where possible, because it bends easier? Going to go get a couple of books on this but... I am a newbie at body work! Any help!
I am going to try to start making some replacement panels before I hack the rusty pieces off and screw things up. Being as I haven't done this before. My girlfriend is going to pay to have the truck painted. So if I can get the rust repaired, before it gets to the shop then I can save her lots of money and probly get a much nicer paint job.
I'm going to paint it VW Passat mint green, with a pearl clear coat, and the rear bumper decking will be Chromed, the actual bumper will be body color with pearl clear, and the front push bar will be body color with clear, the grille guard that mounts on the push bar will be gloss black and the rollbar will be gloss black. The interior is slated for tan leather. Who knows about the dash board!!
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