I got the bib sandblasted today. I had to weld in 2 patches, 16 ga. on each side about 1" x 5", where it just blew threw. I cut the patches to fit exactly in the rectangular holes I cut and butt welded them in. I ground the back and the front down after I welded them in. I then primed the inside of each piece, fit them together again with vice grips and plug welded them back together.
I used 36 grit on my air grinder and cleaned the face up and then sand blasted the back side to get some of the weld soot off. Hanged and epoxy primed the whole thing. Tomorrow night going to smear a little plastic across the bottom, block it out and spray some autobody master and the probably wet sand it out for now.
I think with that epoxy primer on the inside, I find it hard to believe it will rust in my life time. Wish they would have done something like that from the factory. After grinding the face off, I think I already have it smoother than it was stock. You could see and feel those spot welds on the lower part of the bib before I took it apart. A paper thin film of filler sanded down, should be better than new
Also, heading down the the iron store about an hour away on Thursday morning to pick up 2 - 4' x 8' sheets of 20 gauge sheet metal. I would like to get them DA'd down and sprayed on both sides with epoxy primer prior to cutting them up and using them. I guess that way there good to go when I start shearing and bending them up.
Matt