Need panel beater for rally car

[XS1V]

Hey guys

Anyone on here keen to do some cash work or able to do a good price?? Have had a mates dad look at it who is a panel beater but would be keen to see what someone here can offer

What I need done:
Roof has been jumped on and has been said to be easier to get a roof cut put on, I will supply roof cut
Want to get the chassis on an alignment machine to check it out before seem welding and straighten if needed
Has a repaired left rear guard that I want touched up to get rid of the cracking bog
A few minor dents also

Car is a Group A ST185 Celica and is completely stripped as a rolling body to get it to any panel shop.

None of it will need painting, just a primer after work as there is a lot to be done before painting on this shell. If anyone is keen or knows anyone, PM me with an estimate or feel free to come have a look etc

Brad

[strx7]

have you put a cage in it yet? if not, get the roof unpicked, put in cage, then get new roof put on, makes cage building a piece of cake

[XS1V]

No cage yet, I am doing that myself and that was the plan but said panel beater has advised to do the roof first to retain the strength. When you mention unpicking, are you referring to just the roof skin??

Brad

[Leon]

If you take the roof off, it will likely mean way easier welding job for your cage builder Plus you can probably build a better cage more easily, as you can weld over the top of all the roof bars easily. Plus, makes getting bars in more easy.

[matt dunn]

Yeah we have taken the roof of to do the cage on the last few cars we have done.

no point taking it off twice.

Cage rules have tightened lately,
you used to get away with not welding right over the top,
now you must do it.

[Anth_555]

if your going to put the roof on after the roll cage you could look at panel bonding the roof back on keeps the welding to a minimum . im a panelbeater and panel bonding is the best way to put a roof back on. alot faster and cleaner. will be hard to get off if has to be replaced but no harder then a welded on one. another way to got is get a brand new roof if not too expensive, and if you have a mate that works at a panelshop with a spot welder. you can spot weld it on. will make it like factory. but if you have a roll cage in probly wont be able to get in ther to spot weld. we have one at work and it is awesome

but if it was me id be putting the roof on frist.

would be more then happy to help out but im in palmerston north

[XS1V]

I am doing the cage and the last one we did (in another st185) we welded all around no worries, dont know why you would bother otherwise If I do do cage after roof swap I think I would do the holes in the floor technique and drop it down for final welding.

Thanks Anth, so I would un-stitch the roof panel from the frame then panel bod the new panel in its place?? This, if it can be done would be a good option as it leaves the frame in place to retain the car shape while on the rotisserie for seam welding and cage.

Brad

[Anth_555]

yip we use 3m panel bond its not cheap but is realy good. you have to bond to bear metal so the panelbond has to cover al exposed metal. you put panel bond on both the roff and the car. when you clamp the roof down the panel bond will seep through where u drill the spot welds out. just smoth is off with a bursh and it should cover the holes and if done correctly you shouldnt have to seal it