1964 Chevy Malibu SS - Rust- B-Gone

Before the panels were welded in place, they were first test-fitted, hammered, and dollied to correct any misalignment. We cut our panels to be about 11/48 inch larger than the opening in the trunk area and then ground the edges with a rotary sander to provide a clean welding area.

In this case, the panel was trimmed with a rotary grinder to fit the floor.

After the panel was in place it needed to set flush before welding. With the lower braces already installed, we climbed on top of the new floor (to hold it down) and started our initial spot welds. A MIG-welder is used because it produces the most localized heat zone, minimizing distortion.

For this installation, we skip-welded the panels in place, then grounded the welds smooth. From there we scuffed and cleaned the entire area, top and bottom. Next we applied an EDP-friendly primer to the new panels and welded surfaces.

We applied seam sealer to the top and bottom areas that were welded together. This further protects the welds and gives the repair a factory-type appearance. Seam sealers are available from automotive body-shop supply stores and are typically applied with a heavy brush.

For our final step, we applied a few coats of primer, making the entire area look new again. Best of all, the new Goodmark Industries trunk floor, with its EDP coating, is actually more rust-resistant than the original and will last for years to come. CHP