This afternoon I block sanded the wheel wells, and final primed them in readyness for top coat application tomorrow. They are certainly not perfect, and i'm no panel beater, but shouldn't be too bad once painted. A generous application of good quality seam sealer has been run along the joins where wheel arch meets floor frame.
The rear cab panel and windscreen frame were picked up this morning. The blasting process has blown a number of holes in the lowest edge, where the rear panel overlaped onto the cab frame. This had been expected. I hope to get time to MIG weld those holes and several other areas where previous owner/s have cut openings for some reason. Please excuse the quality of first of the three rear panel photos. It was almost pitch black in the workshop and camera couldn't get a propper focal point.
I see another part number or serial number has shown up on a round disk welded to the rear panel. There will be a significant amount of metalworking required before the panel will be straight enough. Should not be a problem with getting the outside acceptable, but the inside of the panel may be very difficult to get completely straight. I have been considering spraying a light coat of stone guard on the inside of rear panel. If I do this, it would only be the flat parts of steel. The ribbing and framework would be masked off. I am in two minds about this. It wouldn't be original finish and would not look right, BUT it would hide all of the slightly bumpy areas where filler could not be applied to achieve the same finish. Might also minimise any vibration or 'drumming' which can arise from flat panels like this. It's quite a lazy way to cover imperfections but may be warranted with my panel beating skills.
Thoughts anyone?????
See next posting for windscreen frame issues.