Tips On Custom Metal Shaping & Installation
Working with sheet metal and completing custom metal shaping is an inevitable part of vehicle restoration. As such, this type of job accounts for a significant portion of the work we do here at Customs & Hot Rods of Andice. Right now, we employ nine crew members who are adept at custom metal shaping and fabrication -- that accounts for the vast majority of our staff and is due to how important we find this skill.
Last month, we posted two of the recent custom metal shaping and installation jobs we have been working on. The first was this new engine compartment our team designed, shaped, and installed on a 1962 Lincoln Continental. The other was for the same car, but involved the repairing and re-shaping of the vehicle's doors (as well as their painting).
Why does custom sheet metal shaping and installation account for so much of our time, and why should you expect to have this be a necessary part of your restoration project? Because metal rusts and if you have a car that is older than a couple of decades, then it is going to have rust somewhere. This is especially true if you live or buy the vehicle closer to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
If you choose to do your own sheet metal installation, make sure to do it right by following these solid beginner tips:
3 Important Beginner Tips for Sheet Metal Installation
- Have the right tools ready. Nothing is more frustrating than being in the middle of a project and realizing you don't have the right tools or parts to complete it. Gathering everything you need before you get started with sheet metal installation will make the project go more efficiently and prevent unnecessary stress. Some tools you will undoubtedly need for such a project include a grinder, spot weld drills, cut-off wheels, chisels, magnets, and measuring tools.
- If you are simply replacing a panel, don't start cutting until you have that replacement. One of the most common mistakes we see is overeager owners cutting out old sheet metal and rusted areas before they have a new reference panel. In doing so, they often cut too much and then are in need of expert custom metal shaping to repair. So, if you go solo, wait for your replacement to come in and then measure twice before cutting.
- Lower heat is better heat when welding. When installing panels with weld, be cautious about your heat. It is better to start with low heat than high as you otherwise risk warping the metal. Let the welds cool before returning to tack as this helps keep even heat distribution.
When in Doubt, Contact the Pros
Don't bite off more than you can chew -- especially not when you have a team of experienced metal fabricators just a short drive away. If you are in need of help with custom metal shaping or installation, then contact our team at Customs & Hot Rods of Andice. We do all projects, big and small!