Luke W
Member
Hi All,I have a 1969 Fiat 500L that I purchased about a year ago and am planning on starting a body restoration on it.
It has a fair amount of rust in what seems to be the typical areas, door sills, fenders, around the rear window ect and probably lots of other areas that I haven't uncovered yet.*Also, it was also apparently*side swiped at some point and poorly repaired with bondo, so all the panels and door*on the drivers side will need*to be replaced.
Both doors and door sills look pretty rusted out too.
I am new to car*restoration, however I worked as a*metal fabricator*and owned and worked on Moto Guzzi's and other bikes in*the*past. So I am*not too afraid to take on this project.
I have a couple of questions and was looking on some advice before I start*taking*it apart. I am planning on doing most of the bodywork myself and then having it finished and painted by the pros.*
1. I am wondering what is the best way to strip the paint and figure out the*extent of the rust. Should I strip the car to the body shell and have it sand blasted, is it possible or advisable to keep the wheels on and have it sandblasted for ease of mobility.*
2. Or should I strip the paint with sanders and chemical strippers, and keep the wheels on until I can see the extent of the rust. I realize this will be a lot more labor intensive on my end.
Thanks in advance for any advice,Luke
It has a fair amount of rust in what seems to be the typical areas, door sills, fenders, around the rear window ect and probably lots of other areas that I haven't uncovered yet.*Also, it was also apparently*side swiped at some point and poorly repaired with bondo, so all the panels and door*on the drivers side will need*to be replaced.
Both doors and door sills look pretty rusted out too.
I am new to car*restoration, however I worked as a*metal fabricator*and owned and worked on Moto Guzzi's and other bikes in*the*past. So I am*not too afraid to take on this project.
I have a couple of questions and was looking on some advice before I start*taking*it apart. I am planning on doing most of the bodywork myself and then having it finished and painted by the pros.*
1. I am wondering what is the best way to strip the paint and figure out the*extent of the rust. Should I strip the car to the body shell and have it sand blasted, is it possible or advisable to keep the wheels on and have it sandblasted for ease of mobility.*
2. Or should I strip the paint with sanders and chemical strippers, and keep the wheels on until I can see the extent of the rust. I realize this will be a lot more labor intensive on my end.
Thanks in advance for any advice,Luke