Remedial work on M3

Thought I would use the time off over Xmas to rub down and re-underseal the M3.

So I borrowed a ramp and got the M3 in the air. I started scrapping off the old under seal and dirt and everything was OK until I got to the front offside corner just behind the wheel - it was completely rotten and disintegrated as you can see in the pictures.

 Fortunately, it was the outer skin and the leading edge of the wing - the first job was to cut away the rotten metal.

 
 Taking the metal back to solid and brazing all the remaining metal for welding in new sections.




Here you can see the metal has been cut back and the areas being rubbed back.

 First thing was to weld in a new structural support to add strength to the remaining metal and from which to "hang" the new sections.

 Picture shows the gradual build up of the welded sections

New metal let into the leading edge of the wing and new section attaching the bottom of the wing to the box section. This picture displays the finished article duly rustproofed and painted.

Excellent work by a local welder - the whole job was completed for £130 cash.

Now the whole underside of the M3 is solid and re sealed.