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Re: I had an awesome day!!! Auto repair with pics....
Joe -
For the metal - go to any auto paint store in your area. If they don't have it they can get it from their supplier - but most have a stock of sheets, like 3x4 or so. Usually they'll have the electro deposited black coating on 'em so they won't rust up, just like store-bought patch panels. In Michigan and other rust belt states, they'll also have universal door bottoms, about 5 feet long x 8" high, with about a 45 degree bend all along one long edge. Either of those may work for you. If you can't find 'em there, check <shermanparts.com>. They have almost everything available in patch panels, and I'm pretty sure that they can supply flat stock as well, but you'll have to pay shipping.
The old hood is OK, but be aware that there isn't a flat piece on it. Factory panels may look flat but actually have crowns in all directions. As long as you work with the crown, it should be OK. Make sure to grind where you intend to weld so the paint won't contaminate the weld, and strip it before you prime, because you never know what's on that panel. I just hit it with 36 grit on the body grinder as it will likely need a skin coat of filler anyway. I once had some metal from an MGB that (I learned later) had been painted with Rustoleum. Bubbled up every coat of enamel I tried to lay down. I finally striped the panel and found some enamel primer which I used to primer it - then it painted up OK.
Hope this helps
Dan
Joe -
For the metal - go to any auto paint store in your area. If they don't have it they can get it from their supplier - but most have a stock of sheets, like 3x4 or so. Usually they'll have the electro deposited black coating on 'em so they won't rust up, just like store-bought patch panels. In Michigan and other rust belt states, they'll also have universal door bottoms, about 5 feet long x 8" high, with about a 45 degree bend all along one long edge. Either of those may work for you. If you can't find 'em there, check <shermanparts.com>. They have almost everything available in patch panels, and I'm pretty sure that they can supply flat stock as well, but you'll have to pay shipping.
The old hood is OK, but be aware that there isn't a flat piece on it. Factory panels may look flat but actually have crowns in all directions. As long as you work with the crown, it should be OK. Make sure to grind where you intend to weld so the paint won't contaminate the weld, and strip it before you prime, because you never know what's on that panel. I just hit it with 36 grit on the body grinder as it will likely need a skin coat of filler anyway. I once had some metal from an MGB that (I learned later) had been painted with Rustoleum. Bubbled up every coat of enamel I tried to lay down. I finally striped the panel and found some enamel primer which I used to primer it - then it painted up OK.
Hope this helps
Dan
(but it's definitely worth asking!)
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