1949 Mercury Convertible Restoration Part 37
Submitted by Auto Restoration 101 Blog
Back to the rocker panels. The old rocker panels were removed and the new rocker panels were fitted on and then clamped for welding. You will notice in the pictures the several types of clamps that we used. We used Cleco’s, Vice grips and Micro-Grips. I used plug welds with a MIG welder to attach the bottom of the rockers to the rocker extensions and to the rocker boxes. To make a plug weld, drill a 5/16 or 3/8 hole into the top overlapping panel. Make sure the two panels being welded fit together without any space between them. Then MIG weld inside the drilled hole which welds the two panels together.
The right rocker panel is shown being fitted to the body.
Shown are the variuos clamps that can be used to hold the panel while welding. notice the holes for plug welding.
This is the front of the left rocker panel with the small repair panel that we fabricated and welded into place.
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