I'm wondering what the chances are of being able to successfully repair my front wings. I understand that the wings are double skinned.
As it's rusting from inside to out, moisture has obviously got trapped between the two sheets. is it a viable fix to cut away sections of the outer skin, properly grind and treat the inner skin and then fill and paint. It's seems a shame to write the off as the rest of the wings are all sound.
Or...
Is it going to be too much work and I'm better off getting some new wings?
If I go down the new wing route, which parts supplied/manufacturer do the best ones and are they usually a good fit?
Cheers[frame][/frame]
Last edited by chilly on Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
It just really depends on how handy you are with a welder and grinder! I have fixed a few that were only bad at the back, one of them on my everyday minor and its begining to bubble again but not bad as its been out in all weathers for the last 12 years. Also had to fix the ones on the lowlight as you cant get them.
Make cardboard templates before you cut anything and just take your time.
You dont know until you try. if you try and repair them and make a bodge of it you could get new ones. You could try and repair them and do a really good job and save some money. As david said it all depends on how good you are with the welder, grinder and at doing the filler part of the job. But also how confident are you with the tools required. personally id give it a go and if it looks terrible get new ones.
Hi,
The only trouble with filling holes with filler is that, at some point, you will have the same problem again. It will probably start by rust appearing around the edges of the filler. Also filler is porous.
Better to replace with metal (or find a good welder who can do it for you for a reasonable price).
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back together, more flatting and polishing to come, now the engine just refuses to run properly.......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
From the picture I can't see the front of your wing, is your car a low light, series 2 or 1000 with the combined larger flasher / sidelight unit?
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back together, more flatting and polishing to come, now the engine just refuses to run properly.......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
jagnut66 wrote:From the picture I can't see the front of your wing, is your car a low light, series 2 or 1000 with the combined larger flasher / sidelight unit?
A couple of possibilities for you.......
NB: The green one is metal but you may want to ask with the blue one to check that it's not fibreglass..... unless you don't mind....
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back together, more flatting and polishing to come, now the engine just refuses to run properly.......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
jagnut66 wrote:A couple of possibilities for you.......
NB: The green one is metal but you may want to ask with the blue one to check that it's not fibreglass..... unless you don't mind....
If you want new you're best going for heritage panels, as I believe they're a better fit than the pattern ones. Unless you can locate some NOS originals of course.
People on here seem to recommend ESM for panels but take a look at what all the main suppliers have to offer, you may be able to get the same quality for less elsewhere.....
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back together, more flatting and polishing to come, now the engine just refuses to run properly.......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
filling wings makes them look tidy, but they dont last, filler absorbs moisture and the rust comes back pretty soon after repairing them. using fibreglass will last longer with a skim of normal filler for smoothness etc, but again still isnt good. Id personaly get another pair off wings, heritage is the best and pattern wings id only by hadrian.... also as lcv van and pickups are going up in value, fitting two new front wings will also increase its value and improve its condition no end... while wing is off waxoyl the back of the hinge pillar !!
PaulTubby wrote:filling wings makes them look tidy, but they dont last, filler absorbs moisture and the rust comes back pretty soon after repairing them. using fibreglass will last longer with a skim of normal filler for smoothness etc, but again still isnt good. Id personaly get another pair off wings, heritage is the best and pattern wings id only by hadrian.... also as lcv van and pickups are going up in value, fitting two new front wings will also increase its value and improve its condition no end... while wing is off waxoyl the back of the hinge pillar !!
Thanks Paul. I'm coming round to the replacement option. i'm getting the truck resprayed at the end of the year so I'm thinking filling would be false economy.
So, the two options for new wings are Heritage and Hadrian?
PaulTubby wrote:filling wings makes them look tidy, but they dont last, filler absorbs moisture and the rust comes back pretty soon after repairing them. using fibreglass will last longer with a skim of normal filler for smoothness etc, but again still isnt good. Id personaly get another pair off wings, heritage is the best and pattern wings id only by hadrian.... also as lcv van and pickups are going up in value, fitting two new front wings will also increase its value and improve its condition no end... while wing is off waxoyl the back of the hinge pillar !!
Thanks Paul. I'm coming round to the replacement option. i'm getting the truck resprayed at the end of the year so I'm thinking filling would be false economy.
So, the two options for new wings are Heritage and Hadrian?
yes, there the two main real choices, when you fit new wings id tiger seal the rear inside seam and this will stop all the water and muck from causing the usual minor rear wing rot, plus prep the backs with zinc primmer and a good top coat, dont use underseal, causes mor harm then good. also you could get some genuine wings of ebay if you lucky at a price, but beware of the amount off surface rust on most as however much you prep them the rust will always come back... and avoid sandblasting wings, they loose there shape and get distorted...
!!