[DeTomaso] filling engine compartment spot welds

[bill gaino]

Dan, I'm doing mine now too!  I did it about 5 years ago and like MEMike I left the spot welds where I could, I had to cut out a lot of metal and I mig welded the new back in.   You can grind the areas you want to smooth with 36 grit on a 2 inch disc die grinder. Mine is a 45 degree with the 3M roloc pads. Then go over the area w-i-d-e-r with a DA sander and 80 grit. I don't expect you need much thickness so I would use a polyester putty like Doulfin glaze over the sanded bare metal or well adheared substrate. (my original primer is really stuck on 1362). I use a putty that is flexible because I do a lot of plastic m-cycles. I just use it on everything now. Use a sanding block and start with 80 grit, finish with 180 and prime. Epoxy is best, 2 K urethane sands easy and works fine too. I have some small blocks. You can make small ones from hard foam.  Funny, the flat block works on round areas... but it does. I do this for a living, check my site, I'm getting ready for my 408 also. I follow your wisdom, and also ran 215's in an MGB. I finally gave up because of oil pressure problems, and I had the extended oil pump gears. Bill 1362  http://www.slickpaint.com/index.php?p=1_9_My-Pantera

-----Original Message-----
>From: Daniel C Jones <daniel.c.jones2 at gmail.com>
>Sent: Feb 10, 2011 4:12 PM
>To: Pantera REALBIG forum <detomaso at realbig.com>
>Subject: [DeTomaso] filling engine compartment spot welds
>
>I'm planning on pulling the engine and transaxle out of my white Pantera and
>would like to smooth out and repaint the engine bay.  I did this on my red
>Pantera.  In that case, the spot weld dimples were filled with body filler.
>I've not had any problems with that car but it has maybe 7000 miles since
>the engine compartment was painted.  I discussed the issue with a fellow
>Pantera owner (MidEngineMike) who is a professional auto body man.  He
>chose not to fill his spot welds but I prefer the smoother look.  Those of you
>that have filled them, what did you do and has it stood the test of time?
>What would you do differently?  I will be welding on brackets for chassis
>reinforcement, hiding the air conditioner lines and relocating the pressure
>tank at the same time.  It will get a healthy stroker motor, too.
>
>Thanks,
>Dan Jones
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