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front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:34 am
by chilly
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]
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Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:44 am
by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
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.
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:00 pm
by chilly
To be honest David, I was thinking of building them back up with filler once all the rust was neutralised
Is that too much of a bodge?
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:26 pm
by Robbiet9999
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.
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:04 pm
by jagnut66
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.
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:14 pm
by lambrettalad
if you do use filler ,use bridging filler in the holes ,it's stronger and lasts longer,then finer filler to finish
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:56 pm
by jagnut66
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?
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:30 pm
by chilly
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?
It's a 1966 pick up.
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:34 pm
by chilly
lambrettalad wrote:if you do use filler ,use bridging filler in the holes ,it's stronger and lasts longer,then finer filler to finish
I did a filling job on a pals camper van yesterday using isopon p40 bridging filler. It's good gear that!
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:34 pm
by jagnut66
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....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor- ... 19db5ac6db
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor- ... 19db5ac4ba
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:42 pm
by chilly
Thanks Jagnut but if I go down the replacement route I think I'd go for new. You don't know what problems you're inheriting with second hand do you?
Who does the best new wings?
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:08 pm
by jagnut66
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.....
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:09 pm
by PaulTubby
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
!!
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:39 pm
by chilly
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?
Re: front wings. Save or replace?
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:06 pm
by PaulTubby
chilly wrote: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...