Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: Lulu on June 15, 2006, 10:02:28 am
I'm trying to decide what would be the best way to repair this hole. A Pepsi sign was screwed over the coke embossing. (Cav 51) Someone suggested that I put a piece of metal behind it and drop solder in to fill and then use a dremal to shape. I'm afraid welding would distort the metal. Body putty is another option. I thought maybe some of you experts have run across this before. Would appreciate your thoughts. . .
Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: Eric on June 15, 2006, 10:34:15 am
I filled one with good ol' bondo ... it was a buttet hole and almost the whole letter “K” was gone
filled it... rebuilt the letter sanded and painted ... couldn't tell... that one is so small no one
would ever know.
filled it... rebuilt the letter sanded and painted ... couldn't tell... that one is so small no one
would ever know.
Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: Jim on June 15, 2006, 04:48:39 pm
Lulu,
My suggestion is to get a sharp drill bit that is much larger than the hole.
Carefully drill to get the hole to have a tappered edge on both the top/outside and the bottom/inside. (see photo)
Apply filler to both sides at the same time; meaning, you should fill both sides with the same sample of filler instead of filling the front and then attempting to fill the back later. By doing this with the same filler and at the same time, you will get better adhesion between the front and the back.
Once this has dried, you can now work the front/outside until you have the correct shape or level to match the existing surface. (see photo)
Now finish with high build primer, sand & prime as needed until ready for top coat...
Leave the back as is, but be sure to remove any paint that may be present on the underside to ensure good adhesion.
My suggestion is to get a sharp drill bit that is much larger than the hole.
Carefully drill to get the hole to have a tappered edge on both the top/outside and the bottom/inside. (see photo)
Apply filler to both sides at the same time; meaning, you should fill both sides with the same sample of filler instead of filling the front and then attempting to fill the back later. By doing this with the same filler and at the same time, you will get better adhesion between the front and the back.
Once this has dried, you can now work the front/outside until you have the correct shape or level to match the existing surface. (see photo)
Now finish with high build primer, sand & prime as needed until ready for top coat...
Leave the back as is, but be sure to remove any paint that may be present on the underside to ensure good adhesion.
Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: MoonDawg on June 15, 2006, 07:27:11 pm
Nice explanation Jim! This way no hair-line cracks are visible, and the filler can't fall back through the hole, Picture is worth a thousand words.
Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: Creighton on June 15, 2006, 08:00:40 pm
Jim,
That is great thanks!! What would anybody suggest for the filler? Just used JB weld on a liner repair. 14 hr. cure time but seems like it is a bit tougher than fiberglass imbedded bondo.
Thanks,
Creighton
That is great thanks!! What would anybody suggest for the filler? Just used JB weld on a liner repair. 14 hr. cure time but seems like it is a bit tougher than fiberglass imbedded bondo.
Thanks,
Creighton
Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: bubba on June 15, 2006, 08:25:38 pm
I've got the same thing on that old 83 I gutted. I cut out the embossing, and was planning on filing in the holes and making a sign out of it.. I think it may be difficult to taper each side of the sign though, as it is only 16-18ga sheet metal....
Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: sodaworks on June 15, 2006, 09:10:10 pm
I would tape off the front following the contour of the letter and sand the backside to bare metal and apply JB weld to an area about the size of a quarter. Use a dremel to shape the letter if necessary. 
Title: Hole in lettering
Post by: Lulu on June 16, 2006, 06:47:14 am
Great suggestions, guys! Now to decide which way to go. . .
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.