How to Use Car Repair Panels?
Best Practices: How to Use Repair Panels for Fixing Corroded Vehicle Parts?
This blog post is based on the demonstrated process of repairing the front sill and wheel arch parts in a Volkswagen T4 van. The repair was conducted and shown on the YouTube platform by the creator from Diamond’s Bulli Ecke. If you fancy watching the video, it is displayed at the bottom of the page.
The video shows the joining of two repair panels, which you can find on our site:
right front sill repair panel for Volkswagen T4
right front wheel arch for Volkswagen T4
In the following post, you’ll find out how to replace corroded body parts, join them together, and weld them into the vehicle's body. You will get to know the best practices for such work, and the video below will show you what the whole repair process looks like.
Please note that the repairs in general are quite tricky, and if you do not have the appropriate equipment or skills, we recommend entrusting such repairs to a professional body shop in your area.
1. Introduction to Repairs Using Repair Panels: What Are Car Repair Panels and Why Are They Used?
Repairing corroded vehicle parts is a key aspect of vehicle maintenance, ensuring its longevity and safety.
Repair panels are the best solution for this type of repair, especially in older car models, where original parts are often no longer available.
You might ask : What are car repair panels?
Repair panels are like the superheroes of vehicle repair. Once welded into the body, they transform into sleek and shiny additions, matching the car's color and reviving it to its prime.
2. Preparation for Repair: Choosing the Right Repair Panel and Preparing the Surface
Want to become a metal master? Then, listen up!
The secret to a flawless sheet metal repair job is all about the prep work and the right gear. It all starts with choosing the perfect repair panels.
Our store offers repair panels for specific car models, with graphics indicating the area each panel covers. In cases of extensive corrosion, multiple panels may be required.
(it is shown in the video below)
The next important stage is surface preparation.
The area around the corroded part must be thoroughly cleaned to be free from rust, dirt, and contaminants. This step may include sandblasting for a cleaner surface, which helps in better welding adhesion and a smooth finish. Proper preparation is the foundation for a trouble-free repair process.
3. Precise Cutting and Aligning, Tools and Techniques
The process of fitting the metal sheet to the vehicle's body requires precision.
As shown in the video, it is absolutely crucial to accurately cut and align the repair panel so that it fits perfectly into the cut space in the body. For this, it is worth using the cut corroded element, which will serve as a template for the new part. This allows us to cut and adjust the repair panel perfectly to the part of the body we are repairing.
Additionally, using the appropriate tools, such as Swiss pliers or neodymium magnets, helps in the precise alignment of the repair panel with the body.
(see that process in the video)
4. Welding Process of Repair Panels: A Quick Lesson in Bodywork
This is a key part of the vehicle body repair process.
Before you start welding repair panels to the rest of the body, ensure that the repair panel and the body part are clean and smooth. Precision in this step is very important to make everything look even and aesthetically pleasing.
After making a few welds, check if everything’s in order, and if necessary, even out the element with a hammer.
(this stage is also shown in the video below)
5. Final Touches: Sealing the Body Parts, Rust Protection, and Post-Welding Care
The last stage of sheet metal repair involves sealing and protecting the repaired area.
After welding, it's very much important to apply layers of silicone and epoxy resin to seal the connection and provide rust protection. This step is critical to ensure the durability of the repair.
Also, remember to thoroughly clean and degrease the surface before applying any coatings.
Don't give the small stuff the cold shoulder! Paying attention to the tiny details not only makes the repair job look sharp, but it also makes it strong enough to withstand any future rust attacks.
Summary
As you can see, the process of repairing corroded body parts with car repair panels is not an easy task. If you lack experience in such repairs, we encourage you to hand over your car to a body shop that specializes in this. If you buy the appropriate repair panels beforehand, then the repair will be cheaper and completed faster. Remember, a well-done repair not only restores functionality but also preserves the value and appearance of your vehicle.
Get your toolboxes ready, folks!
In our store, you will find replacement body parts for over 300 models of passenger and commercial vehicles.
Need a wheel arch repair panel? Or maybe a door repair panel?
We've got it all covered, going the extra mile with full sills and more.
Hop onto our homepage and discover the perfect model of your ride in our super-smooth search engine!