Side window-> be gone!

I couldn't wait to rid my ride of that fugly side window. I've put a piece of Centra (sign material) in the hole just for now. I have a little flux core wire welder but I hope to buy a little Millermatic Mig soon, so until then I don't want to weld anything in there.

My plan is to put backing strips around the opening, then a filler piece butt welded in...much like how this door repair is done -> http://www.autobodystore.com/door_rust.shtml but again, not until I get my new welder. Until then, this will have to do. Looks better already!







Next up in the body department will be those roof hooks, but first I need to sort out the electronic ignition wiring that isn't quite right on this new motor..need to get this new motor working right.

check with a good body shop supplier for a product called "3-m panelbond". it is an adhesive that is used to glue body panels on.i have seen it in use and belive me it works. no welding and warping of the metal means less body work later. because these vans have such thick metal you will warp them. you could still put the strips on the inside and then cut your patch to fit tightly in the opening. most body shops only use light gauge sheet metal but doing it this way you can use metal about as thick as the original stuff.when all is said and done just fill the screw holes used to secure the metal together and a thin layer of filler and some long block bodywork and done.note though make sure you remove ALL PAINT from the attaching surfaces.you will not be able to seperate these two pieces of metal if done properly. i tried with an air chisel and they wont let go. heating the metal red hot does however .that warps the metal quite a bit as well.
jeff

That's a really good point JKR. I've been considering glueing a piece in and I've been reading a lot about it.

This brand of glue here shows how to use the stuff -> http://www.lord.com/Home/ProductsServices/Adhesives/FusorAutomotiveAftermarketProducts/RepairProcedures/tabid/3411/Default.aspx

I have no idea if their brand is better than anyone elses, but their little PDF repair procedures sure make you think about this as an option.

I had found a site where a guy compared samples of metal lap welded, spot welded, butt welded, bolted, etc. to glued together and the welds broke everytime before the glued stuff.

Do you think you can hammer and dolly the metal after? Given that this repair is right on the side of the van, I'm worried about it looking uneven and needing some flattening out...I was thinking welding might be better for hammering work. Any thoughts on that?

Here it is-> http://www.autobody101.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8094&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=2eef7bc047280b9bbabf3a4b62d62930
And a photo of his samples

heating the metal weakens the glue. dolly block on it all day. wont affect it at all.but to much grinding to the point where the metal turns blue or welding with a mig or torch will release the set and weaken the joint "in that area". i used this stuff on a piece of scrap metal and after 24 hours set time put it on the frame bench where i worked and put about 5 tons of force to it. the metal tore on both sides of the glue but did not show any sign of release. makes for an interesting re-repair on the same panel. you have to move one side or the other or burn it free with a torch witch will warp metal all to hell. i can't say about other products but this (3-m stuff) is great and easy to work with.

Okay, the 3m stuff it is then!

I researched the 3m glue a little. It's 3m panel adhesive number 08115. It's almost $100 for a tube, which is really a dual tube that you mix as you squeeze it out. Oh ya, the caulking gun (Mixpac applicator gun number 08117 ) you need to get the stuff out of the tube costs $391.00!! I think some websites might have it cheaper, but still a lot.

So for about $500 I can glue my window panel in. I don't think so!!!

Maybe I'll try and find a shop that will do it for a price, or I'm going to spend $700 on a nice new welding machine and weld it in like plan A.

lol i use the 3m panel goo too
got my gun from my paint supplier was like 130 bucks
and around 80 for each "double tube"
works GREAT but i don't use it often
had a saturn in the shop for a new window regulator
and had to remove the outer door skin to do it! junk !
go with the mig man

Yep...I remember working on a Saturn and having to do that. Only after I removed the inner door panel did I figure it out. LOL

Are you saying that the outer door skin on a Saturn is glued on, making it junk? Suggesting the glue on method is junk? Or are you saying a Saturn is junk? (we already know that btw)

having to remove the outer door panel to replace a window regulator
is JUNK lol
the 3-m stuff is almost too good a stuff to use on a saturn
bet the glue out lasts the car!

throw away the saturn and get a dodge

not my ride, it was a customers
i got a ride home of my own

thats good i know todays gas prices we all need a little egg beater to squeeze every drop of gas we can. i got a 87 buick coupe im all set for the pga tour! but a saturn, i worked on my sisters a few years ago... never again!

Ya, my wife just bought an '89 VW Cabriolet (Rabbit convertible). It's pretty cool and gets good mileage. She was tired of driving the family SUV around all the time. That makes the fleet total 6 now! One too many, my '72 Ford Econoline is for sale -> http://www.enbro.com/ford