Interesting weekend to say the least. Started off making a run for some supplies. A HF stud welder, body hammers and some filler and cleaners and it was time to rock and roll for attempt #1.
Got the rest of the panel cleared of paint and got to figuring out where to place the studs. Figured I would place them in random spots trying to get the easiest pull on the panel.
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I will say the stud welder worked great but the slide hammer that came with the kit left quite a bit to be desired. My biggest issue with it was the less than quality stud gripping wheel they had on it. After a few pulls with it, it liked to lock onto the stud and would not release it. Had to end up pulling the stud off the body, smacking it on the floor and then it would release.
Dang HF tools!
Got most of the outer perimeter pulled without too much drama, other than the puller, and went on trying to figure out how to get that crease out back by the panel bend. I could not get a stud welded in that area due to not having enough ground for the welder, so I got creative. I ended up taking the overlap tab on the taillight panel and bending it out of the way. This gave me enough room on the inside on the crease to use a small punch and hammer to tap the crease out. Worked on it for a while and finally got the gas door fairly even and flush with the body lines which is kinda how I gauged the panel pull.
Attachment 106137
Worked on the highs and lows with the body hammers and dollies until I thought they were decent enough and started the filler process. All in all, it did not require much but there were definite spots that came through while sanding that needed a bit more attention. Worked on them some more and tried again. Second time around was much better but I'm still not 100% sure its quite right.
Attachment 106138
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Need to do some final sand and glaze to see how it looks. I'm afraid the body contour is not quite right as it seems it does not have the right curve as compared to the P/S but maybe I'm just looking at it too hard.
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