[Whoosh10]

I picked up this hood about a year ago to try out some body work and also replace my hood... which has DIY hood vents. Seeing as the spare hood was from New England, there are some rotted spots. Just a fact of life living up here. After separating the brace from the skin, the rotted spots were cut out and replaced. Pretty soon, the skin will go back on. What is the best way to make sure the skin stays on? I like the adhesive idea... any product recommendations? Trying to avoid tack welding just because of the chances of burn through.

the Rot

And the repair... lots of grinding from booger welds!

 

[chaotic5555]

Weld repair looks good.

I'd check out 3M's Panel Bonding Adhesive. I'd still recommend you go with some tack welds in the high stress areas (corners or center) just to make sure its rigid but when I was looking into doing some widebody work this was the product I was going to use.

OEM applications use it in pretty heavy duty areas as well.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Yes, these panel adhesives are more than adequate. Today's adhesives have come a long way and OEMs use them routinely in place of welding. My buddy has a new huge diesel pusher RV and the entire front end is assembled, AND held on with panel adhesives. Strong, light, no corrosion, and quick assembly.

 

[Whoosh10]

Nice, thanks guys! I'll give those adhesives a go.

 

[Whoosh10]

Ended up using normal panel adhesive for the outer edge and NVH adhesive for the inner brace section. The NVH was recommended by a random auto body forum. I need to buy another tube as there's quite a gap in some areas... which was there before. All in, this used about 2.5 - 200ml bottles of 3M adhesives.

Here it is, waiting to dry. Next up, seal sealer, sand, body filler, and somehow painting it.