What is the best method for closing the body holes where the molding has attached to the car. I would assume welding is the preferred method.

absolulty, weld it or you wil be sorry http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

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Only in America do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering and people leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage. www.EINSTYN.com (http://www.EINSTYN.com) TC#1460, VCEA#2
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1970 Chevelle 454 Wagons

the can also be soldiered. If you ever decide to go back, all you have to do is heat it up.

I understand you may disagree but the bodyman filled the moulding holes in my 64 20 years ago using fiberglass mat behind the holes and bondo over the top and i doubted the practice but it has never shown or cracked. I drag race and drive so it does see abuse plus three yrs ago i had the car media blasted and never touched the filler on the holes still lucky I guess.
Good Luck
BobH

How large a hole can be filled by welding without fabbing a round panel?

I am needing to fill the three holes that hold the side molding on to the fender (about 1/8" to 1/4"Ø)

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Charles Perrell
cperrell@yahoo.com
65 malibu SS Convertible
283 2v powerglide

i have filled bigger holes then 1/4 dia with my mig beutifully http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

uP to 3/8 shud not be a problem. The big problem is HEAT. If you have acces to the rear of the hole. Get your self a peice of 1/2 or 3/4 in copper tubing. and pound it flat. Mig weld will not stick to it and use it as a backer to weld on and fill the hole.
Keep you air gun handy for cool downs.

Would it be better to put the backing sheet on the front (exposed) side or the back side?

I guess putting it on the back side would allow you to have a nice bubble of metal on the front to shave down and assure it would be flat.

Does the weld near the backing plate go concave as it cools?

Are you suggesting blowing compressed air on the metal? I have heard of putting water on body panels to minimize warping the metal, but I guess their is less chance of contaminating the weld with air. I guess you just have to use an air source with a dryer and be careful not to get any oil from the compressoron the weld.

I am going to get a body shop or some other place to do the welding as I have not (yet) learned to weld. I am just trying to make sure whoever does it does not mess up my fender.

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Charles Perrell
cperrell@yahoo.com
65 malibu SS Convertible
283 2v powerglide

soldering sounds like something I may be able to accomplish, has anyone else had expierence with solder or fiberglass Seems i have a couple of options for this undertaking

You can solder it as long as it is cosmetic only and not structural. Don't glass, ghost lines or cracks will develope.

Is there a certain type of solder preferred for this endeavor.
Thanks

twenty years and no cracks or ghost lines even after media blasting