Filling drill holes in bodywork and repainting interior dash?

[Martynt74]

The previous owner had drilled multiple holes into the rear panel near the lights. They then removed whatever was attached and covered with some black stickers. The same has been done to mount a light above the rear view mirror in the windscreen panel

(Picture just to show the panel, not the actual car)

I want to try and fill these in, but everything i see refers to applying something behind the panel for the filler to attach to which isn't possible with these panels on the Jeep. Is it just a case i need to take it to a welder to fill?


Also, they've drilled various holes into the dashboard. I'd like to try and fill these and whilst i know it won't look perfect, it should look better than it does now. Is there any particular to look out for with regards filler/paint as i see a lot of things about paint flaking off the vinyl (interior is mist grey if it helps)

 

[steelhd]

Do not use filler on the body, that is ghetto and will eventually fail. Do it right and weld them.

There are products for plastic repair.

 

[DuckNut]

The problem you have is the hole itself. Once you fill in the hole and sand it smooth all you have is the filler holding on to the edge of the hole and that is what, a 64th of an inch thick...it will fail.

The way you can do it is to dimple the front side with a bigger bolt, clean the backside and scuff with heavy grit sandpaper and cover it with thickened epoxy 2 inches would be fine. Once that cures do the same for the front. Make your final pass with epoxy fairing compound and sand smooth. Then use an epoxy primer so it will not rust. Paint it and go. All supplies will basically be wasted because all you need is an ounce but the smallest I have seen any of these products is by the quart and epoxy ain't cheap. You will probably be in for $200 in supplies. A body shop would probably fix it for $100 more.

Keep in mind that any Bondo product ( product type not only Bondo by brand) will have talc in them and talc absorbs moisture. The slightest fail in the paint and it will fail and start rusting.

 

[Martynt74]

Cheers both, think it's more likely i'll just head to a bodyshop. They can probably get it looking much better and do a proper job in the process

I've never touched a welder and all previous attempts at even soldering have gone badly!