How to make car repair panels using MDF (ok, and some steel)

Sometimes repairing rusty car panels means breaking out the woodworking tools. Trust me on this.

#carrestoration #metalfabrication #rustyrestoration #Rancho

Chapters

00:00 Have I finally lost it?
02:50 Forming the steel
07:18 All dressed up...now somewhere to go
13:04 Finishing touches

Third part image credits:
Fiddler crab image: Wilfredor, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

[GrandThriftAuto]

The steel I'm using is 0.8mm, or 20 gauge, to match the original (for these panels). A few people have asked so I should probably have said in the video - noted for next time. If you're working with thicker steel you may need a different approach: I'll have that challenge soon with the inner reinforcing post for the door pillar, so click notifications so you don't miss that :)

[MAGLtd-hhct]

Your video of making a complex panel was suggested to watch, and afterwards subscribe immediately, there is so much to learn from everyone to making patch panels, I made my first set of rocker panels for an 04 Jeep Liberty and was very pleased with the end results, I believe using the MDF is perfect for making a buck, thanks for taking the time to make this video for us viewers, I don’t think some understand the amount of time it takes to put all of this together, looking forward to the next one!👍🇨🇦

[robertpatrick]

CAD ( cardboard aided design) and MDF formers in one episode… what’s not to like! Looking forward to the next instalment.

[mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm]

Well done. Take your time...they are becoming more and more rare with time.

[noexpensespentstudios]

Nicely done, shows just how simple the pieces can be when you step back a bit. Great to see you persisting with this too.

[bartheyne]

All I can say, I'm very impressed! Love the rancho

[spitfiretrading]

Top content as usual Martin, glad to see you are getting properly stuck in now. The rewards will be great.

[GentilsGarage]

Fantastic job and very well informative too.

[gerardbooth]

Fascinating and extremely enjoyable. There's nothing quite so satisfying as watching the creation of useful objects from raw materials. I'm hoping to retire in the near future and this is the kind of project that I'm looking to be able to do once free from the 'tyranny of work'. Please keep this smashing content coming 👍

[fhwolthuis]

I like this format, Martin. Nice concise explanations of metal work. Still like your drive and history video's too of course 😃👌

[Kapil-Patel]

Fantastic work on the panel, show that slapper who's boss 😅 sorry. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to the next part 👍🏽

[Roverjoe]

ive been watching you for a while now and your fabrication skills, are honestly so good! i was thinking about using MDF for templates to make panels for my civic but thankfully they came out with a panel before i needed to do that! - Top work Martin Keep it up its really good!

[danielrussell]

Wow very well done Martin such great skill and workmanship really enjoying all this work on the rancho! Hope you are keeping well Daniel

[Tagora]

Stirling work there Martin. That will most certainly do. 👍

[martinjones]

I thought for a moment you were going to make a punch, trap the steel between two sheets od MDF & press the cut outs through, but a lot of effort for a one off. Top mallet skills.

[citromec]

That's a really neat way to make that panel, came out really well! 👌

[RobertOverstall]

Well done.... You go were so many, would run, screaming and scared witless (myself included).
I'm aware, that it must slow up the restoration work tremendously, to capture the work on camera and then produce the finished video. Thank you so much, for taking the trouble and guiding the likes of myself. "Where you lead, I aspire to follow".
Yours,
Tommy the Toolbox.

[melvsbodgeshop]

Your work is excellent, O wish I'd found your videos when I was screaming and shouting at bits of a VW Beetle.

[nigelbetahpe]

Nice work Martin. I'm glad my HPE is not as bad but I do have some small areas to tackle. Cheers, Nigel

[remkojerphanion]

During the steel forming process, perhaps it's possible to use the pieces of MDF that were cut out, and temporarily put them back in, against the steel, hammer those pieces to aid the process a little? It's just a thought....