Making Car Auto Body Repair Panels
Making car body repair panels is a skill that can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you have a damaged car panel, you don’t have to replace the entire panel. You can simply make a repair panel and weld it in place. This is a much cheaper option than replacing the entire panel.
In this guide, we will show you how to make a car body repair panel. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions, as well as a list of the tools and materials you will need.
What You Will Need
Tools
- MIG welder
- Angle grinder
- Metal shears
- Drill
- Hammer
- Dolly
- Pliers
- Measuring tape
- Square
- Center punch
- Wire brush
Materials
- Sheet metal
- MIG wire
- Primer
- Paint
- Body filler
- Sandpaper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Remove the damaged panel. Start by removing the damaged panel from the car. This may require you to remove some of the surrounding panels as well. Once the damaged panel is removed, clean the area thoroughly with a wire brush.
- Create a template. Measure the damaged area and create a template out of cardboard or paper. This template will be used to cut the new repair panel.
- Cut the repair panel. Cut the repair panel out of sheet metal using metal shears. Make sure the repair panel is the same size and shape as the template.
- Fit the repair panel. Place the repair panel in the damaged area and make sure it fits properly. Trim the repair panel as needed until it fits snugly.
- Weld the repair panel. Weld the repair panel in place using a MIG welder. Start by welding the edges of the repair panel to the surrounding panels. Then, weld the center of the repair panel to the surrounding panels.
- Grind the welds. Grind the welds smooth using an angle grinder. This will help to create a smooth, finished surface.
- Prime and paint the repair panel. Prime the repair panel and allow it to dry. Then, paint the repair panel to match the surrounding panels.
- Apply body filler. Apply body filler to the repair panel and smooth it out using a sanding block. Allow the body filler to dry and then sand it smooth.
- Reinstall the surrounding panels. Once the repair panel is dry, reinstall the surrounding panels.
Tips
- Use a MIG welder with a gas shield to prevent the welds from rusting.
- Grind the welds smooth to create a smooth, finished surface.
- Prime and paint the repair panel to match the surrounding panels.
- Apply body filler to the repair panel and smooth it out using a sanding block.
- Reinstall the surrounding panels once the repair panel is dry.
Conclusion
Making car body repair panels is a skill that can save you a lot of money. If you have a damaged car panel, you don’t have to replace the entire panel. You can simply make a repair panel and weld it in place. This is a much cheaper option than replacing the entire panel.
By following the steps in this guide, you can make a car body repair panel that is strong and durable. With a little practice, you can even make repair panels that are invisible to the naked eye.
