makeitfit
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- Apr 27, 2008
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I thought I'd a quick How to Fix a Rusty wing thread 
Typical scabby front wings can easily be fixed with a bit of fibreglass and filler as follows:-
Forgot to take a before one but assume it was scabby.
Use some masking tape simply to use as a mould for the next bit.
The inside needs a wire brushing simply to remove surface loose and dirt. Then spray or paint with some zinc paint.
Dont try too hard at this stage because you need to keep a bit of structure , all be it rusty for the next stage.
Cut up some strips of fibre glass mat, ready for the rusty bits area.
Mix up some resin and hardener to the required amounts. Follow the instructions and dont be tempted to over mix the hardener.
If you buy an Isopon kit for example, there'll be some gloves in the kit. Use them as it's great fun messin' about in the goo Stipple the resin onto the mat until all the white becomes see through and all the air is out of the lay up. Apply about three layers.
It'll take about twenty minutes to go green, that is hard ish but not solid. This is the time to trim off all the hairy stuff with a stanley knife. It's much easier now than when it's gone rock hard !
Now turn the wing over and you'll see all the old scabs of rust and the fibre glass repair showing through once the masking tape is off.
Now is the time to get in there with your grinder and get rid of the rust back to the fibre glass.
Now you need to get yourself some body filler mixed up and apply to the naked steel and fibre glass. Again follow the mixing instructions :sly
The smoother you can apply this now the easier it is to sand back after it's gone off.
Now it's time to start the delicate sanding job. Use wet and dry sandpaper by hand or a random orbital sander to create a nice smooth surface. You shouldn't be able to feel the difference between the filler and the paint when it's ready.
Next you can prime the area with a suitable base coat. I cheated here 'cause I didn't have any left. So I did a couple of coats of top coat just on the filler area.
At this point some small errors may come to light. if so touch up with fine surface filler.
Last job is to flat down the whole wing and then clean off with a tack rag.
Spray about a foot away from the surface and go in a grid pattern. Repeat this stage three or four times and don't be tempted to try and get a fat coat in one go. It'll run as soon as you turn your back:augie
It looks much better once it's hardened a bit.
It only takes a few hours and will cost about £20, :thumbs
Typical scabby front wings can easily be fixed with a bit of fibreglass and filler as follows:-
Forgot to take a before one but assume it was scabby.
Use some masking tape simply to use as a mould for the next bit.
The inside needs a wire brushing simply to remove surface loose and dirt. Then spray or paint with some zinc paint.
Dont try too hard at this stage because you need to keep a bit of structure , all be it rusty for the next stage.
Cut up some strips of fibre glass mat, ready for the rusty bits area.
Mix up some resin and hardener to the required amounts. Follow the instructions and dont be tempted to over mix the hardener.
If you buy an Isopon kit for example, there'll be some gloves in the kit. Use them as it's great fun messin' about in the goo
Stipple the resin onto the mat until all the white becomes see through and all the air is out of the lay up. Apply about three layers.It'll take about twenty minutes to go green, that is hard ish but not solid. This is the time to trim off all the hairy stuff with a stanley knife. It's much easier now than when it's gone rock hard !
Now turn the wing over and you'll see all the old scabs of rust and the fibre glass repair showing through once the masking tape is off.
Now is the time to get in there with your grinder and get rid of the rust back to the fibre glass.
Now you need to get yourself some body filler mixed up and apply to the naked steel and fibre glass. Again follow the mixing instructions :sly
The smoother you can apply this now the easier it is to sand back after it's gone off.
Now it's time to start the delicate sanding job. Use wet and dry sandpaper by hand or a random orbital sander to create a nice smooth surface. You shouldn't be able to feel the difference between the filler and the paint when it's ready.
Next you can prime the area with a suitable base coat. I cheated here 'cause I didn't have any left. So I did a couple of coats of top coat just on the filler area.
At this point some small errors may come to light. if so touch up with fine surface filler.
Last job is to flat down the whole wing and then clean off with a tack rag.
Spray about a foot away from the surface and go in a grid pattern. Repeat this stage three or four times and don't be tempted to try and get a fat coat in one go. It'll run as soon as you turn your back:augie
It looks much better once it's hardened a bit.
It only takes a few hours and will cost about £20, :thumbs
