Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks



Visit the new site at vcca.org

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 30
ChatMaster - 4,000
OP Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 30
I am starting the next Step on my Project: 1930 Chevrolet AD Universal - Canopy Express Truck

I need to attach/ secure the Drivers Side rear Sheet Metal to the wood, The Passenger Side is already attached/ Secured, but not sure how they did it. Looks like they either used a body compound (Bondo) or an adhesive, then wrapped the sheet metal around and tacked it into place with small nails. I am trying to figure out what to use to attach the sheet metal Drivers Side to the wood on this part.

I will take some detail pictures of the Passenger side this afternoon to show details.

Any advice info would be greatly appreciated. Not a body guy by any means :/


AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk
Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932
The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell
Filling Station - Chevrolet & GMC Reproduction Parts


Filling Station


Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 680
Oil Can Mechanic
Offline
Oil Can Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 680
Your local Lowes or lumber yard has a construction adhesive called Premium PL. It comes in a tube and bonds anything to anything. If possible, use mechanical fasteners, (Tacks in this case), when using a Bonding Agent. (Glue). Al W.


It's Wise to choose a six!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,162
ChatMaster - 10,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,162
The original method of fastening the sheet metal panels to the wood frame members is with small nails with the heads sunk into the metal and soldering or leading and smoothing the heads. There is a body manual for closed body wood framed cars available from vendors.

There is a 1931 body manual posted here:

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/fisher/1931/index.htm


Life's a long winding trail, love Jesus and ride a good horse!
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 179
DFC Offline
Shade Tree Mechanic
Offline
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 179
Mr Mack,
I read your comments about nailing the metal panels to the wood sructure (on a 31') then covering over the nail heads with solder or some sort of filler. I am restoring a 34' standard coach (slooowly) so this was of interest to me. I went through my Fisher body manual for 34' and could find no reference to covering nailheads and in virtually all cases some sort of screwed on metal trim covers the nail lines. Since my car was a totally disassembled basket case when I purchased there is no "factory example" to go on.My 26' sedan, never molested,does not show evidence of solder or the like over nails. Did GM change their practices year to year or do I misunderstand your comments? This is no big deal but I'm trying toi get this restore right.
DFC

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,162
ChatMaster - 10,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,162
Some of the stuff I read for the 26-28 body manual suggest that the nails used had solder on the heads when installed and the solder or lead was used to cover them. I suppose that one could use the correct size tacks/nails and use a dab of bondo. I found soldered nails in the metal panels of a 28 that I got to check out after the paint had been sandblasted.


Life's a long winding trail, love Jesus and ride a good horse!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,966
ChatMaster - 1,500
Offline
ChatMaster - 1,500
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,966
I did not see any evidence of solder/filler at nail heads in my '31 Coach. Original nail heads were small diameter (about 3/32), very thin, but not like finish nails. It appeared the heads had been tapped to a somewhat rounded profile to match edge of door posts and when painted practically disappear. Most are covered by an outer panel, but it too is affixed in similar fashion with nails.

Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863
Tech Advisor
ChatMaster - 25,000
Offline
Tech Advisor
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863
None of my cars or any other cars I have seen had the nail heads covered with solder or lead. All of the nail heads that I have viewed were exposed. Can't imagine the factory taking the time and expense to cover each individual nail head for the sake of cosmetics.

laugh wink beer2



The Mangy Old Mutt

"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 30
ChatMaster - 4,000
OP Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 30
Unfortunately I can not tell how mine was origianly done, as I got it all in pieces...

I took some pictures of the Passenger Side bed that has been semi completed, ready to be painted. I need to get the Dirvers side done (Next step in my Resto) I would liketo try and match what they did, or at least look the same. I have loaded up some pictures of what they did. The nails are along the rolled over sides, and on the underside where the metal is rolled under. on the Flat side, facing out it is smoot and clean, no evidence of ANY nails unless they were covered and filled. Looking closely looks like they used some sort of "GOOP" I will call it. Where it ozzed out from compression, this material has a clay like consistency when you crumple it in your hand, it does NOT come off easily, it is hard and brittle. Also have some pictures from the resto shop (provided to the prev owner on DVD)where they had clamped the pieces together but nothing to show WHAT they used ?!?

Ughh...

Huckster: Bed


AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk
Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932
The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758
Likes: 64
ChatMaster - 15,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 15,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758
Likes: 64
Why not call the restoration shop and ask them what they used?


How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 30
ChatMaster - 4,000
OP Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 30
I have called the resto shop, and it was 10-15 years ago they did the work. So this truck has been sitting around collecting dust :/ The gentleman remembers the truck but uncertain as to HOW they secured it. Said each car is done differently depending on what the owner requested, like factory restoration, close to factory, just get it together assembly, etc... Many of the projects they do takes YEARS !! They worked on this one for several years to get it to where it is today. Photos are dated from 2002, so that puts about 10 years on it.

Gentleman was nice, and he stated that the truck wasdelivered to them in baskets. Owner had hired someone to do the resto, and they took it apart and that was it for them, then the owner took it to the resto shop and that is where they took over. They spent alot of time trying to put it back together and figure out what went where and rebuilding or fixing parts that needed it.


AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk
Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932
The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell

Link Copied to Clipboard
 

Notice: Any comments posted herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the VCCA.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5