Body Filler Question

ChunkFunky · 02-10-2003, 08:00 AM

I'm not a body guy, I can fix engines, but I dont even touch body... but I want to get rid of the luggage rack on my GT vert. I figure, I can drill out the rivets and fill the holes... shouldnt be a bid deal. Do you guys have any links to web sites on how to do this stuff. I mean, I understand teh basic concepts, are these holes small enough that I wont need the fiberglass type filler. or do I need to put something in the holes so the filler can stick to it? Any help would be appreciated...

I thought of just getting a new trunk lid, but to get one off an LX it wouldnt have the 3rd brake light, plus I'd have to pay for it... I figure alittle elbow grease and some bondo should be a fun project?
-as

Maroon 5.0 LX · 02-10-2003, 09:16 AM

I would think you'd be better off having a body shop use lead to fill the holes.

With the vibration, and slamming the deck lid, it would seem that Bondo would eventually come loose.

UglyFast88 · 02-10-2003, 04:04 PM

What does the decklid look like underneath the rack runners? I'm sure it's not pretty. The whole thing will probably need to be painted, and the lid is a very horizontally visible piece. Any mis-shape will look like hell from any angle. I think you'd be better off having the work done by a shop...

Just my .02

Good luck!

lx5091 · 02-10-2003, 04:43 PM

I agree that body filler is definately not the way to go. Being that the area is exposed to people resting items on top of it also is scary to think about, personally I'd replace the decklid.

tommyinla · 02-10-2003, 06:03 PM

you need to weld the holes shut, then smooth the welds, and then use a very thin coat of filler, if necessary. spray some primer and then shoot it

ChunkFunky · 02-11-2003, 07:34 AM

Yeah, all of that is what I wanted to avoid, so I'm going back to plan A and getting a new LX trunk lid... thanx for the info, at least now I wont even bother to get involved..
-as

02-10-2003, 08:00 AM	#1
ChunkFunky Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 465	Body Filler Question I'm not a body guy, I can fix engines, but I dont even touch body... but I want to get rid of the luggage rack on my GT vert. I figure, I can drill out the rivets and fill the holes... shouldnt be a bid deal. Do you guys have any links to web sites on how to do this stuff. I mean, I understand teh basic concepts, are these holes small enough that I wont need the fiberglass type filler. or do I need to put something in the holes so the filler can stick to it? Any help would be appreciated... I thought of just getting a new trunk lid, but to get one off an LX it wouldnt have the 3rd brake light, plus I'd have to pay for it... I figure alittle elbow grease and some bondo should be a fun project? -as __________________ '89 GT Convertible: TFS TW Heads, TFS Street Intake, TFS Stage 1 Cam, FMS 1.6 RRs, 24# Injectors, Pro-M 75mm MAF, No Name CAI, 3.73s, O/R H-Pipe, FlowMasters, AOD w/ Trans-Go Shift Kit

02-10-2003, 09:16 AM	#2
Maroon 5.0 LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 471	I would think you'd be better off having a body shop use lead to fill the holes. With the vibration, and slamming the deck lid, it would seem that Bondo would eventually come loose. __________________ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van '06 Mustang V-6, 5 speed

02-10-2003, 04:04 PM	#3
UglyFast88 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fordland Posts: 117	What does the decklid look like underneath the rack runners? I'm sure it's not pretty. The whole thing will probably need to be painted, and the lid is a very horizontally visible piece. Any mis-shape will look like hell from any angle. I think you'd be better off having the work done by a shop... Just my .02 Good luck! __________________ '88 Speed Density LX 1998 Explorer motor 1.7 Roller Rockers GT-40 lower ported & polished Cobra upper intake MAC CAI Aluminum Pullies FRPP P-Shortys Cop car cam (to insult) Competition Engineering F/R adjustables Flowmasters New black carpet and... '84 Racin' Tempo seats! Cars' best run in 2002 with stock 150,000 mile 302 with pullies, exhaust and roller rockers only... 13.27 at 101.5 mph

02-10-2003, 04:43 PM	#4
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	I agree that body filler is definately not the way to go. Being that the area is exposed to people resting items on top of it also is scary to think about, personally I'd replace the decklid. __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

02-10-2003, 06:03 PM	#5
tommyinla Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 219	you need to weld the holes shut, then smooth the welds, and then use a very thin coat of filler, if necessary. spray some primer and then shoot it __________________ 85GT Convertible soon to be sold... 67 Mustang 289. Holley Red electric fuel pump, 4 speed toploader, dual exhaust, torq thrust IIs (real soon!)

02-11-2003, 07:34 AM	#6
ChunkFunky Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 465	Yeah, all of that is what I wanted to avoid, so I'm going back to plan A and getting a new LX trunk lid... thanx for the info, at least now I wont even bother to get involved.. -as __________________ '89 GT Convertible: TFS TW Heads, TFS Street Intake, TFS Stage 1 Cam, FMS 1.6 RRs, 24# Injectors, Pro-M 75mm MAF, No Name CAI, 3.73s, O/R H-Pipe, FlowMasters, AOD w/ Trans-Go Shift Kit

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