First patch panel

[Fender1325]

Got my first patch panel made from scratch. Its not fully welded yet but Im proud. Some areas are lap jointed because it was too hard to get an EXACT fit.

 

[Ilikeike]

Looks good,
but it really looks like it could use an entire floor.

What is it ?

 

[Fender1325]

Its a 1950 cadillac 61 sedan. Has like a tar paper over most of it. The metal is better than I anticipated - nice and silver fresh metal when cut.

 

[PugetDude]

Got my first patch panel made from scratch. Its not fully welded yet but Im proud. Some areas are lap jointed because it was too hard to get an EXACT fit.

Looks good.

I've found it's sometimes easier to cut the patch as close as you can, a bit oversize, then cut the floor to match instead of the other way around. Tack the patch in place, then use a thin cutoff wheel in an angle grinder or a heavy duty cutoff wheel in a Dremel to cut through both layers, eliminating the lap joint.

2cents worth of advice, for free.

 

[Fender1325]

Thanks. I did actually do that, but between all the curves and bends (theres more than it looks) I had a hard time having any nice **** joints

 

[dougf]

Good job! Floors are GREAT to practice on since you won't see it after its painted and covered. I would recommend working on **** joints to avoid moisture and rust issues in the future. Looks great and good luck with the rest!

 

[Fender1325]

Thanks. I sure thought itd be easier than this but with all the different curves going in multi directions its harder than I thought.

 

[rockwithjason]

as your skill increases you will be able to fit them more easily. not bad for a first effort

 

[Chris Stapley]

Seal the seams with brush able seam sealer,it will look factory and will ensure that all the seams get sealed up properly,looks great so far! I build a lot of floor pans,actually just finished a set of front foot wells for a 53 Chevy that I also grafted 56 Caddy rear quarters on.

 

[ishiboo]

Seal the seams with brush able seam sealer,it will look factory and will ensure that all the seams get sealed up properly,looks great so far! I build a lot of floor pans,actually just finished a set of front foot wells for a 53 Chevy that I also grafted 56 Caddy rear quarters on.

On a patch like that I would expect it would be completely welded in and ground down where you couldn't even see the joints, no?

 

[Fender1325]

Thanks. I sure thought itd be easier than this but with all the different curves going in multi directions its harder than I thought.

Seal the seams with brush able seam sealer,it will look factory and will ensure that all the seams get sealed up properly,looks great so far! I build a lot of floor pans,actually just finished a set of front foot wells for a 53 Chevy that I also grafted 56 Caddy rear quarters on.

Id sure like to see that! I might be getting a 56 cad

 

[countryroad82]

Looks pretty good there bub!

 

[vintagespeed1956]

when you do rust repair you need to remove ALL the rust, not just cover it up from the top and call it "good". also looks like very little grinding going on, that should all be bare metal.

that edge on the inside of the sill that runs below your patch panel is pretty bad. at a minimum, that needs to be treated with some rust stabilizer before you continue.

just cuz you can't see it from the top doesn't mean it went away......it'll be back, with a vengeance.

 

[Fender1325]

Right. The inner rockers and outer have rusted at the bottom, but to be honest, I dont want to brace the body, cut away both rockers and have to repaint. Not really restoring fully. Just patching the holes in the floors, putting back and driving/enjoying.

I did grind to bare around the edge its just hard to see. The metal is better than it looks. Its also all covered in tar and some type of fiber paper from the factory.

I appreciate it though guys. I'll keep you all updated on my progress.

 

[Fender1325]

Btw that edge there I foolishly cut before I made my patch. It needs to be tacked up so you might be seeing black hole there