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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
Minor body work repairs - Advice welcome
I’m planning on removing the RAI permanently and want to repair the damage. I’ll clean off and polish out where the damage is done around the wing intake today and see how bad it is.

To repair the holes, I can’t TIG weld and don’t really want to get a lot of heat into the panel as I might end up causing more harm than good, so my thoughts are:

1. Fix a plate behind with panel adhesive, then fill the hole with something like P38 filler then sand back and paint.
2. Fill the hole with aluminium epoxy, file back, fill then paint.

Which would give me the last risk of cracking in the future? Is there something else I should consider? When it comes to paint I’m thinking filler, etch primer, high build primer, paint and then clear coat. I have no advice how to feather the paint in so any advice welcome or I’ll have to paint full panels.

Thanks
Col



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Post #828846 2nd May 2020 9:33am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Over the years I've repaired several holes on S1 panels by bonding a patch on the inside and filling, and it has worked satisfactorily. In the old days I used to use a two-part expoxy because it was all we had in those days, but the patches are as secure now as then.

If you do try this approach, feather the edges of the hole before filling it or else you will probably see the sharp edge of the hole still after filling.
Post #828847 2nd May 2020 9:50am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3188

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
If you are going for filler or epoxy route, which is safest, then make sure that the filler/epoxy is feathered. This means you have to dent around the holes you are covering inwards such that after sanding you get back a smooth finish. Never done this myself on an aluminium panel, but have done a lot of similar repairs on grp boats. Key is to avoid stress concentration, typical when you have sharp edges.

From the pics, and question, I am thinking you have a metallic. With metallic you can easily blend the base coat, this will blend any color difference between the new and old paint. Blending clear coat is not ideal, better clear coat the whole panel. Having said that, i have successfully blended solid colours using a blending thinner. This comes in aresol. Before spraying, wet sand 1000grit or finer around the blending zone. 1000grit scratches are easy to cut and polish out later. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #828850 2nd May 2020 9:59am
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
Cheers guys. All advice welcome. One terms of patching from behind then filling, does it need to be an aluminium patch, of is there something better than this to use?
Post #828854 2nd May 2020 11:01am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I use aluminium (best of all cut from a scrap panel, so same alloy). Degrease thoroughly and roughen the surface to be bonded. Moderate heat (eg careful use of a hot air paint-stripper) will accelerate the curing of cold cure epoxy and result in a much better bond. Roughening the patch also helps key the filler.

As noted above, I feather the edges of the hole (rather than knock in the panel as suggested) so that the reverse side, where the patch is, is flat. This gives good strength and looks better from behind.
Post #828859 2nd May 2020 11:24am
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ickle



Member Since: 22 Jul 2010
Location: South Vendee
Posts: 1727

France 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Alpine White
Carefully clean the areas and polish them, put a button headed stainless bolt with a nylon washer underneath then paint the head of the bolt to match with an artist brush - much less hassle!

Keith
Post #828860 2nd May 2020 11:28am
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
Thanks guys. Have cleaned up both areas and this is what we are left with. The window frame has a bit of corrosion so will need taking right back. The wing is OK, the 2 holes to fill then plenty of sanding, light coat of filler and paint.


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Post #828862 2nd May 2020 11:54am
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Chugga90



Member Since: 07 Sep 2014
Location: Bucks
Posts: 195

Would the air intake they fitted to a wolf Land Rover be acceptable for you and would this cover the fixings?
Post #828866 2nd May 2020 12:30pm
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Grouse



Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: on the hill
Posts: 512

Rather than going to all the trouble of sticking bits of metal on and filling and sanding etc etc - which I wouldn’t be happy with, I would rather just replace the panel.

You are going to have to paint it anyway, panels are not that expensive - they are an easy
DIY fit - plus you can sell the old one afterwards - thus probably no more expensive or time consuming 2017 Range Rover L405 Vogue SE V8 Diesel #16
Land Rover 110 300 TDI
Post #828881 2nd May 2020 2:06pm
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
I know what you mean about just replacing the panel, but I’d rather put the effort in and re work what I’ve got. New panel is the fall back position!
Post #828888 2nd May 2020 2:33pm
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
Currently filling and sanding. When it comes to paint I’m going for etch primer, 3 coats of primer and then I’ll flat back. Then finish colour (metallic Loire blue) then clear coat. I don’t flat after the metallic do I?
Post #828894 2nd May 2020 3:45pm
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isacs



Member Since: 28 Aug 2015
Location: Leamington spa
Posts: 404

United Kingdom 
I took my RAI off and fitted the wolf intake
Post #828896 2nd May 2020 3:46pm
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue

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Post #828917 2nd May 2020 5:42pm
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
Made good progress today. This is before and after on the window frame. Has had 3 coats of high build primer and then a light coat of black that will act as a levelling coat.



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Post #828927 2nd May 2020 6:23pm
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3611

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
After.



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There is a touch of orange peel, but less than the factory paint job! Needs a good buffing then probably a couple more clear coats, but for now I’m pretty chuffed.
Post #829014 3rd May 2020 11:05am
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