Replace or just patch it?

[Kats66Pny]

I do have a brand new apron for this that I can either use and replace the entire piece or cut it up and make a patch. The damaged area (eaten by battery acid, not rust) isn't all that big, and the surrounding metal is fine.





I do not plan on putting the battery in the front. Leaving it as-is in the trunk. So this area will be, well.. a useless area of space. With that in mind, if I do just a patch job, do you think it would have to be welded or could something like JB Weld or Fusor or some 3M stuff would work?

[AzPete]

On that area, patching vs replacing the whole section would depend on how difficult the cut patch would be to fit and make look good. Butt welding would be better....not overlapped for a section. All the bends and curves must fit also.

[Ponyman66]

Kat IMHO if you've already got the panel, replace the whole thing. It's just a bunch of spot welds (which you should be good at drilling out by now!).

[Kats66Pny]

  spot welds!

[abrahamfh]

In my opinion replace the whole panel, this is coming from someone that just tried to patch it and realized it was well worth it to just replace it not too long ago.

Took me about thirty minutes to drill out all the spot welds with a fresh spot weld cutter from HF.

[Gigantopithecus]

Mine looked exactly like that.  I replaced the whole thing.  My metalworking skills suck, so there was no way I was making a patch.

[cmayna]

Yes, replace the entire panel.  Drilling out spot welds is pretty easy when you have a good spot weld drill.  Then spot welding in the new one is totally fun.

[Ponyman66]

spot welds!

Aww c'mon Kat. You're should qualify as a pro at drilling'm out by now!! If the cowl didn't drive you crazy, these are a walk in the park!!

[guruatbol]

My apron in the 67 looked just like that.  I replaced the entire panel.  It looks better IMHO. 

So since you have done as much work as you have done, don't cut corners now.

You have an awesome care with an awesome start, keep doing things right!

Mel

[Kats66Pny]

Alrighty, the concensus is replace the whole thing. 

Guess today's project will be trying removing the old apron.  Joy. 

[Kats66Pny]

I'm confused. I found this article on the apron replacement. I got it, spot welds along the shock tower side and along the bottom at the frame rail.

It doesn't mention anything about welding to the radiator support. Is that welded as well or just seam sealed or what? 

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mump_0903_replace_ford_mustang_inner_fender_apron/index.html

[monkeystash]

Spot welded to the core support too.  You can see in my picture after I removed the apron. 

[Midlife]

If I were in your shoes and had my skills at welding and patching, I'd patch it.  My philosophy is to keep as much OEM sheet metal as possible; it is much better material than what you find today.  But given what you know and can do, I'd replace it---it's quicker.

[abrahamfh]

I'm confused. I found this article on the apron replacement. I got it, spot welds along the shock tower side and along the bottom at the frame rail.

It doesn't mention anything about welding to the radiator support. Is that welded as well or just seam sealed or what? 

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mump_0903_replace_ford_mustang_inner_fender_apron/index.html

Yup, spot welded to the radiator support. Take a look at my build thread.

[cmayna]

Of course if you want to be really cool you'd get one of these puppies.

http://www.harborfreight.com/230-volt-spot-welder-45690.html

[70_Fastback]

Of course if you want to be really cool you'd get one of these puppies.

http://www.harborfreight.com/230-volt-spot-welder-45690.html

Too bad the throat depth won't work in this application...

[cmayna]

What about battery apron to the rear apron on top and then the battery apron to radiator support on the front?

[abrahamfh]

You could always buy some copper rods, cut to desired length bend the ends of them with a little heat, and, viola.

[Kats66Pny]

Too bad the throat depth won't work in this application...

Yeah, don't ya just hate that.

[napaguy]

If I were in your shoes and had my skills at welding and patching

wow!!! modest much? arent you the one that sent their car out for work twice? If you had such mad skills how come you didnt just do it?

[Midlife]

wow!!! modest much? arent you the one that sent their car out for work twice? If you had such mad skills how come you didnt just do it?

I only sent the car out twice for paint work, not body work.  I did all of my metal work myself, learning as I went along.  Like Abe, a little experience is all that is needed before one is competent.  It's the learning curve that is the bitch.

I apologize if I sounded immodest.  While I am not up to Jeremy's level, I can do most any sheet metal work on a Mustang, including forming compound curves and butt welding.  It isn't rocket science, but it does take a degree of experience and appropriate tooling, neither of which Kat can call on right now to patch the battery fender apron.  Given time/expereince and the tools, Kat could patch that panel without issues within a couple of hours.

[Horseplay]

wow!!! modest much? arent you the one that sent their car out for work twice? If you had such mad skills how come you didnt just do it?

You obviously missed Mid's point. Cutting out the rust and patching is the way to go if at all possible. Re-pop pieces rarely get all the lines right which requires more work not to mention the inferior steel versus OEM. I think pretty much anyone who knows these cars would agree.
I just think it funny that you have read enough of his posts to know how many times his car was sent out for work and still thought he could be, basically an arrogant ass. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him but I kinda have the opposite impression...the whole sheep thing aside, of course.

[Kats66Pny]

I said heck with it, and just going to replace the whole thing. I have a brand new whole apron, so might as well use it all. 

[napaguy]

You obviously missed Mid's point. Cutting out the rust and patching is the way to go if at all possible. Re-pop pieces rarely get all the lines right which requires more work not to mention the inferior steel versus OEM. I think pretty much anyone who knows these cars would agree.
I just think it funny that you have read enough of his posts to know how many times his car was sent out for work and still thought he could be, basically an arrogant ass. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him but I kinda have the opposite impression...the whole sheep thing aside, of course.

Nope didnt miss a thing...I have been on forums with mid since 04 or maybe earlier so I am familiar with his car and work. I have never met him in person either. Have you installed full aprons before? How about different qualities? Have you patched them before? Or are you just repeating what you read in this months mustang monthly? I am sure you have done everything that can be done to a mustang twice right?

Back on topic...replace the full apron and be done with it Kat...horseplay go ride shotgun with Randy savage would ya? 

[Midlife]

Nope didnt miss a thing...I have been on forums with mid since 04 or maybe earlier so I am familiar with his car and work. I have never met him in person either. Have you installed full aprons before? How about different qualities? Have you patched them before? Or are you just repeating what you read in this months mustang monthly? I am sure you have done everything that can be done to a mustang twice right?

Back on topic...replace the full apron and be done with it Kat...horseplay go ride shotgun with Randy savage would ya? 

Napaguy:
I did patch my battery apron, and I didn't have to send it out for work or redo it.  In fact, the only work I didn't do myself was paint and a refurbishment of the engine damper.  Horseplay had it right: the OEM steel is far superior to repro or flat steel from a steel distributor.  Whenever I had the opportunity to re-use OEM steel, I did so.  I also used repro steel whenever the lines matched OEM panels and I did not have access to OEM steel. 

If you truly believe I had to send out work to others or had to re-do things other than paint (which I always admit I cannot paint worth a crap), please provide examples.  I also refurbished my disk brakes, but the cross-over line threads were damaged on the calipers and I had to find aftermarket replacements.  Those are the only things I remember that I had to redo.  I may be an insufferable ass in your eyes, but from my perspective, your words are provocative and insulting.  What makes your comments more difficult to accept is that I sold you a bellhousing that I was reluctant to part with at a very good price a couple of years ago and I have yet to find a replacement.