willysmjeeps.com

I now have a great running frame--now the tub>
1.Bubba cut out the rear seat down supports with a torch! Can I weld in new pieces and have it look good?
2. I had the body blasted and primed last fall--can I fill the dents and floor pitting without removing the primer?
3. What is the best body putty to use----or pound out the dents and smooth with a grinder?
My birthday 03-52
M38 dod 03-52

A lot of your questions depend on your skills as a bodyman. Primer needs to be removed with #36 grit to get bondo to stick with no oil or grease on the metal. Myself, I can section in anew piece of metal, grind down the weld and no one will know. I prefer to carefully hammer and dolly out the dents and finish it with a metal file. However you have to be careful not to hammer them out to far because when you use the metal file you`ll make thin spots in the sheet metal or stretch it out too much and then have problems. So you see it all depends on your experience and how much of a show piece you want and how much money you have to spend. Sometimes it`s just easier to take it to a pro and not to many of them do metal finishing anymore, it`s kind of like (leading) it`s a lost art.

I have a 09/52 M38 that I sandblasted welded then ground all the holes and cut out the badly rusted areas and welded metal back in and grind. removed the dents with a hammer and dolly. After that I had your same delema what to do with all the rust pits and now very small dents. after trying acouple test spots with bondo sanding and priming. I decided not to bondo anything and only prime and paint it. It turned out great, along with my old goodyear tires it shows all the character its earned through the years. I've won 3 first places, in 1 1/2 years. everyone seems to like it better showing its age. Its an ARMY jeep not a show car is what they tell me. Good luck with your choice.

keith