white mk3 estate GSI

[Purpledrumstick]

Awesome work. A mate of mine gave me a bit of advise on rear arches on these. When I redo mine he suggested to clean everything up, protect then roll the arch. Then seam sealer to make sure there is no arch left for dirt to sit on.

 

[jnyr]

thanks for all these positive vibes, think i've just spoken to you purpledrumstick on face book about arch clearance for the phase 1 vec gsi wheels

 

[jnyr]

Great work! I have a couple of r-tech welders too.

thanks, im looking at buying a tig set next year and will probably use them again.

 

[Purpledrumstick]

thanks for all these positive vibes, think i've just spoken to you purpledrumstick on face book about arch clearance for the phase 1 vec gsi wheels

That'll be me mate

 

[jnyr]

managed to restrain from fishing some more, i left the rear arch in good form until i got some more sandpaper and high build, got that so cracked on.







left in high build for now while i get on with the underside.









will be ordering two new spring seats next week, at least while they are off the chassis leg will be easier to clean and prep.

carried on anyway, as you can see what happens to underbodies when no stone chip is applied, nightmare to prep took ages!





poked some holes in the rear panel and found this bungee strap. get in!



coat of etch for now. once the floor is rust free ill be going over it all again any rust i've missed or newly developed, then a coat of proper 2k etch ready for sealer and stone chip.

 

[TomVauxhall]

Rear arch looks spot on. Great work, keep it up. I'll be using this thread as a guide and inspiration when I get to do my underside

 

[Kev_mk3]

^^ Me to so not looking forward to doing mine

 

[jnyr]

thanks, i was chuffed with how it went as it's the first one i've ever done. i did have some help and advice from a good friend who does this every day as a panel beater which taught me loads and probably saved me time although i did still take ages!!

Its not too bad kev you soon get into it just get as comfortable as you can, headphones in, ear defenders on. yours is probably in better condition than mine the back end of mine is well scabby which has slowed me down a lot.

 

[jnyr]

new spring seat arrived last week ready for the bank holiday weekend as planned. ive now got a target as well to get the underneath finished before winter sets in, hopefully the weather stays mild towards december like last year.











i know the seats were not welded here from factory but the new seat i received would have to have i think 10 spot welds drilled out to dismantle it in order to spot weld the base to the leg, and then re-weld the cup back to the seat. alot of messing about for 0 gain.







now onto the other side, ground down to find the spot welds at this point.













the cause of all the rot on the inner rear panel in that corner was that drain pipe being blocked other side was fine! nothing that cant be fixed tho.

 

[TMODAlpha]

Repairs are looking bob on, good luck with the next side. Not that it looks like you need it.

 

[Kev_mk3]

Where the spring cups from?

 

[jnyr]

thanks i try my best haha.

kev their off ebay just search astra f caravan spring seat

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Very nice. I admire anyone that can cut bits out of panels and weld them up! I don't mind doing bits that can't be seen lol. Keep it up!

 

[jnyr]

been a few months since the last update still chipping away and enjoying the work so far, ive now completed all of the welding now and fitted both new rear arches along with new spring seats. i have quite a lot of pictures which will tell the story.
I think in future i will try to keep more up to date as all this uploading to photobucket etc does my head in, full of adverts! does anyone use anything else to upload?

i think this is roughly were i left off last.

oops

i then had a break for a few weeks as the weather turned.

just left in high build for now until whole car is prepped for paint.

 

[jnyr]

cut the old rotten spring seat off to reveal it had penetrated between the leg and seat just like the other side.

cleaned up and treated rear panel which was still in good shape.

started with the seam sealer.

same as the other side, rot between the seat and leg.

thicker gauge plate used for leg repairs by the way think it was 2mm.

i did same the other side just forgot to include in my diary.

action shot

etch and sealer.

spent ages masking up underneath every brake/fuel line screw exhaust tunnel etc anywhere i didnt want stonechip applied.

i used 2 litres of Gravitex to begin with, i knew it wouldn't be enough, so i managed to get 2 more litres off the shelf at my local paint shop that was still open, not Gravitex, but just as good apparently, just slightly thicker. the finish of the thicker stuff is slightly different and more stringy compared to the orange peel effect of the gravitex and in all honesty i would like another litre or two just to finish it off nicely and have it all the same texture so i'm currently waiting on some more u-pol to come in the post, does look sweet though as it is

 

[TomVauxhall]

Great work as always. Looks fantastic. love this thread.

I upload my pictures straight from my phone as I could never figure out these photo hosting websites. although I did have to lower my camera resolution to the lowest setting to get in the uploading limit

 

[Kev_mk3]

Brilliant work mate

 

[rc]

great work on the repairs

 

[Leigh rigby]

fair play mate it look mint now.. a little bit different since i seen it last.

 

[A12DY B]

Great work