70 Camaro - Boise, Idaho

[AMPZberlinetta]

Wow, following this thread and seeing how you clean up those welds is incredible. Mind sharing what tools/ abrasive wheels/ discs you use to smooth out the welds to that finish? I must see this process...especially when trying to smooth out a 90 degree pocket weld.

[Goosesdad]

Originally Posted by AMPZberlinetta

Wow, following this thread and seeing how you clean up those welds is incredible. Mind sharing what tools/ abrasive wheels/ discs you use to smooth out the welds to that finish? I must see this process...especially when trying to smooth out a 90 degree pocket weld.

Thanks! No real voodoo on my end....and to be clear, those latest pics of the bottom of the car have had a bit of body filler to the welds. Did that as much to seal up any small pinholes but it definitely smoothed out some of those areas for looks also. I used Evercoat Everglass, as it's waterproof so it's a good compliment to the epoxy primer for sealing up the under carriage. Raptor coming in the next month or so.

Since I'm less than an expert at making pretty welds and I only use my MIG because I end up needing 5 beers after trying to TIG!.... I've definitely had my share of grinding welds to clean them up. Of course, being careful not to impact the strength of the weld just for aesthetics!

By the way - I'm 1000% sure someone here will have some better/additional advice.... please don't hesitate to chime in here, no issues with me!

When grinding sheet metal welds, I use a 3"x3/16" 3M Green Corps grinding wheel on a straight die grinder. I'm embarrassed that I don't remember the person here on LatG that recommended these to me..but they are awesome for the first level of grind, that person made my life better! Ha. I do that first grind parallel to the bead to keep the wheel from touching down on the base metal. Once it's close, I switch to either a flap disk on an electric grinder or 2", 36 grit disk on an air angle grinder.

For cleaning up welds in corners or wherever, I just use a carbide burr on the same straight die grinder. And finish it up with either the 2" disk and/or cartridge rolls. None of the local shops here in Boise carry those, so I get them online from Empire Abrasives. Don't think there is LatG sponsor that carries them?

Hope that helps a little.

[alex n]

Originally Posted by Goosesdad

Thanks! No real voodoo on my end....and to be clear, those latest pics of the bottom of the car have had a bit of body filler to the welds. Did that as much to seal up any small pinholes but it definitely smoothed out some of those areas for looks also. I used Evercoat Everglass, as it's waterproof so it's a good compliment to the epoxy primer for sealing up the under carriage. Raptor coming in the next month or so.

Since I'm less than an expert at making pretty welds and I only use my MIG because I end up needing 5 beers after trying to TIG!.... I've definitely had my share of grinding welds to clean them up. Of course, being careful not to impact the strength of the weld just for aesthetics!

By the way - I'm 1000% sure someone here will have some better/additional advice.... please don't hesitate to chime in here, no issues with me!

When grinding sheet metal welds, I use a 3"x3/16" 3M Green Corps grinding wheel on a straight die grinder. I'm embarrassed that I don't remember the person here on LatG that recommended these to me..but they are awesome for the first level of grind, that person made my life better! Ha. I do that first grind parallel to the bead to keep the wheel from touching down on the base metal. Once it's close, I switch to either a flap disk on an electric grinder or 2", 36 grit disk on an air angle grinder.

For cleaning up welds in corners or wherever, I just use a carbide burr on the same straight die grinder. And finish it up with either the 2" disk and/or cartridge rolls. None of the local shops here in Boise carry those, so I get them online from Empire Abrasives. Don't think there is LatG sponsor that carries them?

Hope that helps a little.

I think that might have been me, those grinding wheels are awesome

[AMPZberlinetta]

Thanks for the input on the different tools you are using! I just ordered a couple a those things to try them out. On the metal it almost looks like you have a sanded finish/ has some tooth to it. Is that from the grinding discs or to you go back and sand the metal smooth an orbital or something? Also while making all the panels, are you using a bead roller to stamp in all those strengthening creases? And i promise ill stop asking questions

[Goosesdad]

Originally Posted by AMPZberlinetta

Thanks for the input on the different tools you are using! I just ordered a couple a those things to try them out. On the metal it almost looks like you have a sanded finish/ has some tooth to it. Is that from the grinding discs or to you go back and sand the metal smooth an orbital or something? Also while making all the panels, are you using a bead roller to stamp in all those strengthening creases? And i promise ill stop asking questions

No worries, ask away.....
Yep, take the metal to at least 150grit before priming as a minimum, in my opinion. I actually go to 220. Crazy paint guys will say 400....
Yep, beadroller. The Trick Tools ones are amazing.

[waynieZ]

All that work really shows.

[CamaroAJ]

Looking good, John. I'm pretty sure your car is what gave me the idea to extend my rockers which will help me be able to mount my front fenders easier.

[streetbird]

bottom of this car is amazing. nice work

[Goosesdad]

Thank you!

[Goosesdad]

Hood vent - for another day!


A little bodywork on the firewall


Touched up the epoxy


Filler primer....now the block sanding begins.