Don's 69 Charger Rust Belt restoration

[mopar4don]

put my first vertical slice in..... (LOTS of hammering)

[mopar4don]

put my 2nd vertical slice in and it started to feel like I was about to repeat the problems of the pass side...........
WHEN THE LIGHT BULB CAME ON!
I would stop the horizontal slices, and try vertical slices only. (farther apart than the pass side)

[mopar4don]

SUCCESS! 
See how the crease is gone (LOTS and LOTS of hammering)

[mopar4don]

Here is a good shot showing how much I moved that crease

[AKcharger]

I just stumbled across this thread and you are I-N-S-A-N-E...but in a good way, I've NEVER seen that much welding/fabrication! 

[mopar4don]

I just stumbled across this thread and you are I-N-S-A-N-E...but in a good way, I've NEVER seen that much welding/fabrication! 

What can I say?? It keeps me out of trouble!
Thanks

[moparmendy]

Don, its been said many times before but needs to be said again..and again!!!!!  amazing work!  off the chart nice!!!

[72Charger-SE]

Don, I just finished reading your entire thread and viewing all the photos.  From one beginner to another WOW!  You do impressive work!  I thought I was 'stuck' in rust repair hell(o)...  but mine was nothing like yours.  Have you noticed how much your skills have improved since you started this project?  I am unsure what 'credentials' you have for body work and such but I would consider your on the job training better than schooling any day.  Great Job!

[Baldwinvette77]

I just want to say, even though i don't comment much, i stop by everytime you update this 

[six-tee-nine]

I just want to say, even though i don't comment much, i stop by everytime you update this 

X2 and btw hang in there buddy, you might be in the dark in that tunnel but there's light at the end. I think I'm starting to see a tiny bit of light at this point altough I'm not sure its really there......

[mopar4don]

Thanks fella's for the kind words. I'm learning all the time.
moparmendy, I want your side job! 

[Homerr]

Would love to see you start 'Mopar4Don's Body-in-White Program' next.

[mopar4don]

Would love to see you start 'Mopar4Don's Body-in-White Program' next.

I like the sound of that!
This one is a Body-in-Black 

[mopar4don]

more pics showing the slicing and hammering

[mopar4don]

Here you can see how the metal is puckering when it is hammered out.
I sliced the metal horizontally to help this situation

[mopar4don]

Then I started welding it back together.
Here you can see the copper spoon I used as a backer.

[mopar4don]

The side profile looks pretty good to me

[mopar4don]

Some of the gaps opened up quite a bit from the hammering
So when welding a copper spoon is a must have!

[mopar4don]

more....

[mopar4don]

ALL DONE with this side and I am very pleased with the results!
If I were to do it again, in my opinion making vertical (up an down) slices and hammering out the crease is the way to go!
Now I need to go back and finish the passenger side..........

[JB400]

I'm curious as to how well the quarter will fit the wheel well now.

[mopar4don]

As am I!
stay tuned

[mopar4don]

It's been a couple of months since I last updated, so here goes.
I primed a few more parts (pic1)
I Painted the bellhousing with this VHT hemi orange paint. I plan on using this for the engine block when it comes time. Hope it's the right shade.

[mopar4don]

I reached the point where it was time to remove most of the bracing.
Now you see it

[mopar4don]

Now you don't
It's ALL gone!
And WOW does it look different!