bulkhead top repair panel

hello, my first post, great site!!

just ordered a bulkhead top repair panel for my SWB SIII as rot has set in along the front leaving a nice 2" hole aswell as a hole (although unseen) in the top of the bulkhead under the winscreen, (discovered whilst converting to canvas). Now that the summer is over i intend to put the hardtop back on but before this i thought i had better address the rot issue before it gets any worse (aswell as tidying up the previous owners botched attempts)

Q1. any advice for the job in general?
2. My tig welding is.....ahem, a little rusty other than a bit of practice can anyone offer advice in the tig welding department?
3. i will be removing the dash, door hinges etc.. before hand, is there anything else i need to be aware of?
4. the paint that is currently on the landy, i belive is metalic blue from a defender (purists dont hate me, i was thinking of changing it back to the original blue, but it actually looks quite smart!) i havent been able to find this off the shelf, any ideas?

i am asking a lot for my first post arent I!!!!!

cheers in advance

andyd

the original blue is called marine blue, you can get it from Buckley Brothers 01254 702300 www.landroverspares.co.uk at £15 litre + £8 postage. it is an enamel type suitable for brush or roller from the tin or spray if thinned down.

Spyderman

cheers for that, it was actually the defender metalic blue i was after though, landyspares dont seem to stock it either,

regards

andyd

recieved the repair panel today, it doest quite go as far as i would like on the bulkhead under the windscreen, and the corner bit has just been folded and not welded,

it hasnt got the windcreen hinge on it either so that will have to be cut off from my original to be reused but should be alright other than that.

once i have got hold of my mates mig (not tig as i previously said) welder then i will give it a go and let you know how it turns out,

wish me luck!

andyd

im afraid repair panel never quite go far enough.

i've just done alot of welding to my series 3's bulkhead i didnt both with any repair panels though. i used a mig with an inert gas feed. it works well when you welding thinner metal.

i would suggest you do some testing first to get the settings right (ideally you want a low bead of weld so you know you have created a strong joint). use small circular motions to stir the weld pool its going well if you have the sound of bacon frying! also the best fit can be obtained by using some butterfly clips or a strong magnet to hold the repair panel whilst you tack it in place. i would suggest you use a butt joint so get an even finish, and its easier to grind down afterwards. its all in the preparation.

good luck

cheers for that, wil be giving it a go shortly!

andydsIII