finish panel studs

[dfarmercse]

Can you replace the studs in the finish panel?

Dave F

 

[dave5237]

Being that there pot metal I was always told no because you cant weld pot metal ( i am not sure if this is true ). Epoxy might work like j.b weld but have never tried it. I GUESS I WAS WRONG BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A ART.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ2pxqt_xlQ&feature=related

 

[dfarmercse]

Thanks Dave, I am going to fix mine, one way or another.

Dave F

 

[Pistol Pete]

I've heard of people trying this, but I don't how sucessful they were.

http://www.muggyweld.com/?view=potmetal

 

[Dako]

On my `66, the studs are held in with clips. They just pop in and out with a screwdriver. Maybe you are dealing with a different year?

 

[dfarmercse]

This is a 68, wish they were clipped in. I may give this muggy welding a shot.

Dave F

 

[detmatt1]

I have one for sale on Ebay currently with no broken studs and in decent unrestored condition.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16072611476...0&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MESELX:IT&vxp=mtr

 

[69 mayflower]

I just bought a finish panel for a 69 gtx that has been rechromed.It has two broken studs, the ones at the outer ends.They aren't broke off flush and have about a 1/4" remaining.I am thinking of trying to drill down into the broke off portion with a small drill bit,and not go all the way through,then try to thread in a small threaded screw.If that all works I will take the screw back out and put some J-B weld in the hole and put the screw back in,then cover the whole thing with more J-B and let it set up.I've never used j-b weld before but don't know what else I could use.I wish it would have been repaired with something like the muggy weld before being rechromed.Maybe someone will chime in with a better solution.I'm all ears !!

 

[detmatt1]

I wouldn't epoxy the screw in as this would make it very difficult to ever take it back off in the future. What you could do though, is epoxy a #10 macine screw minus the head into the shallow hole that you carefully drilled into the panel. Depending on how thick the panel is at that point you might be able to drill and tap. using a bottoming tap or a standard tap that you grind the tip flat so that you can thread to the bottom of the hole you drilled.

 

[dfarmercse]

My plan is to drill the studs and epoxy a new stud in. I will keep you up to date as I start this. Waiting for the car to get painted then I will start on R&R the finish panel and grill.

Dave f

 

[dave5237]

I wouldn't epoxy the screw in as this would make it very difficult to ever take it back off in the future. What you could do though, is epoxy a #10 macine screw minus the head into the shallow hole that you carefully drilled into the panel. Depending on how thick the panel is at that point you might be able to drill and tap. using a bottoming tap or a standard tap that you grind the tip flat so that you can thread to the bottom of the hole you drilled.

If you are going to use a 10-32 or 8-32 machine screw. Use a long set screw instead. This takes a allen wrench to screw it in so you dont mar the threads and can remove it like you say you want.

 

[BuckNeccid]

I replaced 3 of mine using the "Aluma-weld" rods. Basically it's a soldering rod for aluminum, and it'll take some practice with them, but it can be done. If you can do it, it's some strong attachement, but if you aren't handy, you can ruin a panel by getting it too hot. Requires a propane or Mapp gas torch, patience, and stripping the chrome from the area you're gonna "weld". I know there are videos on YouTube showing how to do it, and like I said, with practice, it's at least as good as shown. I've attached ears back onto carb baseplates, broken pieces out of tranny bellhousings, etc, and never had a problem with them. Just practice first. It won't even discolor the chrome once you get the hang of it, but you most likely will have to re-paint the panel.

http://www.alumiweld.com/

You can get them on e-bay too, just check all of the listings for price and value.