Spot welds

[wisconsinjimmy]

For all you seasoned bodymen that have worked on 60's model vehicles mainly the Vans. What did you do about the welds around the wheel openings? My Econoline 1963 has the dreaded spot weld look, should I try and cover them or leave as the factory dod?
Thank you
Jim

[Len]

I usually fill over indentations made by spot welds but if you want it to look original you should probably leave them.

[MARTINSR]

Yeah Jimmy, it really depends on the "Theme" you are after. I personally like to see the spot welds, and on most every car I have done, I leave them. It makes it look "untouched" and "virgin". When I see a car with the spot welds all covered, I see "bondo". I have even created spot welds where repair had to be made near them and they got covered with filler. I remember about 25 years ago I was working in a full on restoration shop and we mig welded a new firewall into a 34 Ford. I took a drill bit and ground the end flat then made new "spot welds" down the side of the cowl making it look original.

I am talking even on a custom. My truck for instance has a chopped top, yet the spot welds are all there to see.

If you want a smmmmmmooooooothhhh look, a "seamless" look, then you mould off the spot welds. It really depends on the "theme" of your build.

And believe me, if you want a super car, pick a theme, any theme and then STICK TO IT. Every single nut and bolt should follow that theme, that is how you create a stand out car.

Brian

[Phil V]

I agree with Brian. One of the first things I look for when inspecting an older car is for visible spot welds around the rear wheel opening. If you can see the spot welds then its relatively safe to assume their are the original quarter panels (a plus when selling the car to knowledgable car buyer).