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On Tue, 6 Jan 1998, Andrew Topham wrote:
[replacing A-panel] Has anyone any done this before, *any* advice would be greatly
received.
Simple advice:
- Don't weld anything until you're sure the doors and bonnet fit properly
when the new panel is clamped.
- Pattern A-panels make life misery and should be avoided.
- Cover your glass to prevent weld spatter getting on it.
- Practice first and test your plug welds for structural strength until
they are perfect.
- If you uncover rust in there, which is likely, be prepared to have to
fix it.
- Read all the books and articles about welding and Mini restoration that
you can get your hands on.
- A lot of the above applies to re-painting the finished result. Just
remember that the black stuff on the new A-panel is not a suitable base
for the new paint and will have to be stripped to bare metal.
If you haven't picked up a MIG welder before, don't plan on using your car
for a week or so.
Good luck,
Hamish
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