Bare Metal work and heat shrinking on XC Falcon Panel Van #14 Magnum Force

[@oldieman730]

The van is coming along really well now after a huge amount of work. Great to watch.

[@AstillDesign]

Thanks mate, chipping away

[@stevepierce3509]

Howard your an absolute metal Artist, your patience in doing this sort of work is next level. A true Craftsman. Well done, keep up the progress on the Panel Van mate, very much enjoying it.

[@AstillDesign]

Thank you very much! Make some headway at the moment

[@scotthunter1639]

Fantastic content Howard.. Always great information mate thankyou 👍 👌

[@AstillDesign]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GMCShazamataz]

Awesome work Howard. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

[@AstillDesign]

Our pleasure

[@AnthonyWilliams-hj7hs]

Awesome work as usual

[@AstillDesign]

Thanks again!

[@peterhawkins4612]

Panel beating and black magic have a lot in common , you have the gift.

[@AstillDesign]

Yeah seems that way,

[@mike-rp9cc]

bloody magic, thanks Howard

[@AstillDesign]

Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it.

[@daviddeakin2006]

Thanks for showing all the different techniques. Always gain some knowledge when i watch your videos

[@AstillDesign]

Good to hear that your picking up some tips

[@jaybridges4092]

Thanks for the channel, it's awesome and very inspiring. I really hope you can include some tips on lining up the front of the fenders to the grill and bumper to avoid the droopy eyebrows that some of the x series develop. Love your work.

[@AstillDesign]

Sure thing! I will cover whatever we are doing

[@BluesShed]

Thanks again Howard for the education I will definitely be using the be using the file and guard rolling technics on my XC Ute build I wish I had rolled the guards on the GXL but that car is complete now so I’ll just accept the occasional scrapping of tyres 😅 Cheers mate

[@AstillDesign]

Cheers mate

[@Jim-hv6ql]

Love the old table idea for the front fenders, differently going to keep an eye out at my recycling center for one. My original fenders will require all the tools you used x 3. They are bad, so bad I ended up buying new ones, but now I might give it another go after watching your video. Cheers Howard.

[@AstillDesign]

Go for it!

[@Boogz-gd3lo]

I used to use brickies bolsters for chasing out dents on swages from the inside . Welded different size round bar or pipe on the tips to conform to the shape. Great vids nice job too👌

[@AstillDesign]

Great tip! I have a draw full of different chisels and drifts

[@michaelbyrnes7944]

I just went to the TWO dollar shop and got kids foam pool noodles for my panel stands and rapped in electrical tape works great 👍

[@AstillDesign]

Good idea!!👍

[@shaneconnors757]

Great Show.THANKS Howard

[@AstillDesign]

Cheers mate

[@dtengineering1]

Lovely detail Howard.

[@AstillDesign]

Thank you kindly

[@tonymontana897]

Thanks for another installment Howard. She's coming along slowly but surely. Regarding the panel pillow, I used to use Armaflex copper pipe insulation. The thickest you can get. Slice it down the middle, slip it over the rails then just tape the ends and one in the middle. Does the job just fine.

[@AstillDesign]

Thanks for the tips!

[@vcuteman]

Beautiful work mate !

[@AstillDesign]

Cheers mate

[@darrindouglas1]

your heating tip needs cleaning....that's why the flame is spread out and making the hissing sound as well....get some oxy tip cleaners.... Love your work Howard.....

[@AstillDesign]

Thanks mate, couldn’t find my cleaner.

[@coolstore1875]

Well done I’m enjoying the series the XA rear bumper turned up in record time to nz fits well.

[@AstillDesign]

Good to hear!

[@johnmarino9884]

Just a tip on using the shrinking disc (I've got the same one) keep it flat on the panel, if you tilt it the edge goes in the lowes, and you don't want to heat the low spots

[@AstillDesign]

Cheers mate, thanks for your input. I like the 4” one better.

[@MakewithJosh]

Great stuff Howard

[@AstillDesign]

Thanks mate for watching

[@michaelbyrnes7944]

Love your panel skills nice work

[@AstillDesign]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mickmeaney1461]

How the hell did I never think of that timber block trick ... Bunnings fold up table which I'll be happy to drill holes in and that will be a very handy sacrificial tool. Great idea Howard! Also like that panel pillow thing. I imagine it allows panels to sit more securely and take out the wobble. Do they work well? Huge thanks once again. Love your work.

[@AstillDesign]

the plastic table will probably move around a lot being so light, but still ok. The panel pillows so far so good, will be good when everything is getting painted.

[@poydapoyderson646]

Absolute magic as usual. Taking a lot out of it. Love the tackling the crap bits like behind that plenum grill, often not dealt with. I have two genuine GTS guards for my ute which have so many old repairs i can't tell what's high and what's low. Any advice for battered stuff like that? Also i use the thick pool noodle for panel stand, just run Stanley knife down the length and push on. cheap enough and much tougher than the thin slip on rubber. I use the same noodle and technique for the hoist ramps to save my head.

[@AstillDesign]

You need to start somewhere, use a steel ruler or I like to use 50x4mm Tasmanian oak timber to lay over to panel to check high and lows.

[@peteredmonds9378]

Awesome detail as always Howard. Finally I found something I can do as well as Howard Astill (dropping panels off the stand). I’m about to redo my two XC guards as I’m not happy with the fit & finish, is there anyone that makes a lower repair section that has the correct reverse curve, as the rare spares one is too flat. Cheers Pete Edmonds PS - had to get my GXL towed for the first time ever, from the Unanderra exit road. Rare spares mechanical fuel pump - 6 months old.

[@AstillDesign]

We sell a lower that's made in Aust and is a pretty good fit. facebook.com/photo/?fbid=484224110824971&set=a.406314665282583

[@billmcintosh1242]

Great and informative as usual, Its good when you have time on your side but I guess you have to have the patience and passion along with knowledge to make it all work! Howard have you ever installed a handle similar to a concreter's float on your file? not sure if you would have the same control or feel, maybe you may have more? But what would I know! Great progress looking forward to the next video! [PS yes it is a Carpenters wooden scribe and the next stage above that is a mortice gauge and the one above it is a mortise gauge with scribe} Ex Carpenter Bill Mc

[@AstillDesign]

I do have a panel file with handle but it’s a bit aggressive,

[@geoffegan9424]

just on using a file to check for dent's. when I check I use an oil stone as it doesn't harm the metal. I used to repair Toyota panels straight off the press. it's one of the techniques.

[@AstillDesign]

I like that idea, I’ll give it a go

[@geoffegan9424]

@@AstillDesign if you do try it, round off the edges slightly so it wont make any scratches.

[@chrisobrien9334]

That’s a great idea with the blocks on the table. Thinking I’ll try that next time I’m doing guards. Are you happy with the large foam Rollers?? Thanks H

[@AstillDesign]

cheers mate, so far so good with the pillows. should be good when things have some product on them.

[@michaelhallas6450]

That’s nice to take your time to make the parts come out nice . What PPG epoxy is that ? Thanks

[@AstillDesign]

Deltron DP616

[@garycourtenay4719]

Terrific content, thanks very much.😂 quick question, after the phosphoric , how do you neutralize it? SEEMS funny to rub a damp rag over it. Wouldn't that lead to a bit of flash rust straight away?

[@AstillDesign]

Have a look at this one. It explains the lot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGnPc6OZoLZ-Z5o

[@simonwinchester5053]

This is an excellent series Howard! I've recently finished an XC sedan with help, and now I am about to tackle my XH panel van with a full bare metal refinish on my own at home. What is your process between applying paint stripper and getting panels in epoxy? How do you make sure you've removed all the residue? You've probably covered it, but I guess I missed it.

[@AstillDesign]

Have a look at this one, it covers metal prep. Type this into youtube search kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGnPc6OZoLZ-Z5o

[@cozgarage2680]

Hi mate, just came across your channel, great work. Question which may have been covered before but what brand paint stripper are you using

[@AstillDesign]

Poly stripper from Bunnings

[@honestpat7789]

Another great video, Howard 👌 With the wheel arch lips, I was under the impression that the tyre grabbing was a matter of incorrect wheel/tyre offset. But in your experience, do they grab regardless when you put on a wider wheel?

[@AstillDesign]

You are correct, but reversing out a driveway on full lock is alway a problem

[@honestpat7789]

@@AstillDesign😂

[@ChristopherBalsdon]

Hi Howard why don't you drill 2 holes in the lip before you roll it? Make it way easier for any dirt to drain out when you wash the car

[@AstillDesign]

Not sure we’re your talking about

[@warrenbrown5621]

How did you find the shrinking disk Howard, are they worth investing in?

[@AstillDesign]

Definitely, wish I had tried it before. I like the 4” one the best

[@DOOVA930]

You should turn the post flow gas down on your tig, you’re wasting a bit and it’s too expensive to waste

[@AstillDesign]

cheers mate

[@shaneconnors757]

How do you clean your Files

[@AstillDesign]

I have a file cleaning brush. It’s a fine, short stainless steel brush

[@bigears4014]

Caustic only removes paint , vinegar will take rust . Caustic should be hot

[@AstillDesign]

All the things I said, thanks for the reinforcement

[@samjohnson4014]

Fender? You mean front gaurd?

[@AstillDesign]

fender? A fender is the part of a car that protects and frames its wheels and keeps mud from splashing it. Most modern vehicles have fenders on their front wheels. When you get into a minor car accident, you can call it a "fender bender," and it's possible that your fenders did get slightly dented.

[@chriscarey3625]

Love ya work Howard. Fender in my book is a Yankee term, us Aussie's call it a guard. Like trunk and boot. Anyway keep the quality coming bloke 👌

[@Blanchy10]

I see you are human. Didn't hear you swear though!

[@AstillDesign]

Louise cut that bit out.

[@Blanchy10]

@@AstillDesign Haha

[@RebeccaGriffin-b8n]

​@@AstillDesign- will we see it in the bloopers??????

[@drifterdrifter9558]

Great for the environment straight down the drain. 😂

[@AstillDesign]

🫢

[@samjohnson4014]

If you’re having interference issues with tyres/wheels. Your not doing it right

[@AstillDesign]

If the car is low and you’re backing out a driveway with the need to have some lock then they will touch.

[@andrewvassallo3444]

Upsy😅

[@AstillDesign]

yes sir

[@BrettNoneya]

Find the small hollows used to turn the oxy to soot and wave it over the panel then use a very fine file ;)

[@AstillDesign]

Cheers mate