My New Baby!!!

As trhe van did so well over summer, i promised her some TLC and some cosmetics. First off a new fibreglass front valance. SO I started sanding the front of the van down and went through several hues of paint: Yellow, light blue, Metallic darker blue, then the original red.
the vibration from the sander started causing chunks of filler to fall out, in some places an inch thick. No need to cut off the current valance....as there wasn't one there, lots of corragated card, duck tape kilos of filler, but not much metal.
As a result the inner valance has got damp and started to go frilly. Can anyone point me in the direction of a thread that covers the inner valance and what it should look like. I am guessing that the inner has a lip on that joins with the lip on the outer and this is welded.
A bit of guidance and a close up of the bottom oblong Grill would be good, so I can refab this also.
Hey ho...here is winter
:)

 
Just chop it off, it doesn't do anything except go rusty, the fibreglass valence will be strong enough to support itself. You'll need to bung the gap up at the front of the floor though - it might get a bit draughty;)

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Harvey & Bonnie
 
It adds to the rigidity if you fit a steel valance but it's not structural. Just make sure you inner cills an inner steps are in good order - they give the van strength.

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Harvey & Bonnie
 
It's just the bottom of the inner valance that is frilly. I will check the areas suggested. Need to get me some aquasteel!!!

 
Hi Nick

Glad your giving your van some TLC and you are going down the fibre glass way :D Pictures would be nice [8D]

Gladys & Bernie
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I am so embarrased by the amount of filler that dropped out!!! lol. I will post some pics up.
Time to think of a paint scheme for the old van...how about scooby doo mystery machine lol

 
Lol. I bought some gloves from Edd China. Double dipped and last for ages. I stripped the rear brakes on the 1275gt down to the rear arms yesterday, new backplates, wheel cylinders, bearings, shoes and drums...both sides and only needed 1 pair. Having been a chef for 25 years, my hands are wrecked and am susceptible to dermatitis, especially around filler.....and there is plenty around.

 
I always wear gloves too, being a pianist and having to look after my hands.



1965 Commer (1592ccm) series IIa Bluebird Highwayman
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Front valance rust. Fun! I had trouble finding photos when I rebuilt my front valance too, so I stuck some pics up on my thread. Hope you can get something out of them. I replaced the inner piece in two sections to try and keep the correct shape by matching the old to the new (its a bit rough but its solid).

http://forum.commervanfan.co.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7616&whichpage=2
 
I had another grinding and cutting session and trimmed the inner valance back to metal and trial fitted the new valance. Top tip....the bumper irons are great for alignment. The new panel is under tension and is a tight fit. A lot of work is needed before the panel is attached.
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Also had a look at the frilly heater intake and look to have pulled of making the swage line ok. Just need some curves! I am tempted to blank this off....because it would be easier, I like the look of the smooth uncluttered look.
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Looking good Nick[8D] It might be easier to make the blanking panel in three pieces to get the curves right:)

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Harvey & Bonnie
 
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