Replicating Factory Spot Weld Appearance

68bird400HO · #1 12-18-2007, 09:57 PM

For putting a new quarter on (NOS or otherwise), most bodyguys do not have the equipment to spot weld it like the factor did. Most bodyguys plug weld and grind smooth. Does anyone have any techniques for easily replicated the spotwelded look around the wheel opening lips (or other areas)?

CamarosRus · #2 12-18-2007, 10:01 PM

This forum below will go much further in answering your question................

http://autobodystore.com/forum and click general discussion

68bird400HO · #3 12-18-2007, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the link. I will check it out. If just figured I would try here since with the pedigree and quality of cars that hang out here, someone restoring theirs would have probably found a way to do it. I would still be interested in hearing of anyone's successes here with this.

jasonL78 · #4 12-19-2007, 02:24 AM

I heard of one guy using a pencil eraser during the priming stage to make a small dimple to look like the factory spot welds. I seen a picture and it looked real good.

Jason

Nova Jed · #5 12-19-2007, 02:49 AM

I don't mean to HIJACK, but does anyone still use the resistance spot welders in resto's?

**plumL78** · #6 12-19-2007, 03:21 AM

We have one here in my shop but it not one of the cheep ones. Its a pro spot brand and they are around 12k to buy. Thats how we build camaros here at the shop. It is an awsome tool. I have many pics but I don't know how to put them on this sight. If you want to see them I can email them to some body that can load them

**m22mike** · #7 12-19-2007, 04:31 AM

Here is a vice grip I made to dimple wheel well lips I had to repair.
The only thing I need to do here is reverse the dies from whats in the picture so it gives more clearance up in the wheel well.
This thing worked well and I did not use any heat.

Mike

**Salvatore** · #8 12-19-2007, 05:01 AM

[ QUOTE ]
We have one here in my shop but it not one of the cheep ones. Its a pro spot brand and they are around 12k to buy. Thats how we build camaros here at the shop. It is an awsome tool. I have many pics but I don't know how to put them on this sight. If you want to see them I can email them to some body that can load them

[/ QUOTE ]Kerry, You do some real nice work!!

Bob · #9 12-19-2007, 04:22 PM

Here is an example of my attempt at faking spot welds.

68bird400HO · #10 12-19-2007, 05:47 PM

Mike, I would be interested in seeing the results using your vice grip approach.

Bob, what method did you use to get those results?

A couple of ideas I had were to either use a round punch and hammer or to use a flat end drill bit and just lightly scratch in the circle before prime/paint. I wonder if anyone has tried either of those tricks.

Also, just an observation, but it seems like (at least for the 2nd gen birds) the Van Nuys cars had a smoother, more finished off wheel well lip than the Norwood cars. Anyone else into these cars notice this?