Re: [VAL] holes in belly pan

["Tom" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Terry,

You would need to make nice rounded edge cut-outs of the damaged area.  Then 
you can make a scab patch that will overlap the removed area by about 2 
rivet rows at minimum.  You will also need to allow for some edge distance 
from the outer row of rivets to the edge of the scab patch otherwise you end 
up with holes too close to the edge which can easily leak to cracks from the 
edge to the holes themselves.

To make this a simple 'repair' you'd also want to put some type of sealant 
between the original metal and the scab patch for resistance to corrosion, 
water leaks, etc.

You can purchase a very nice quality (not cheaply made like those at Sears, 
Northern Tool, etc.) hand riveter at NAPA or another quality tool warehouse. 
By the better made tools and you will have them for a lifetime, buy cheaply 
made tools over and over and over ....  Cheap tools are the most expensive 
ones to buy so I don't do it.

Since this area isn't a load bearing skin it would be easy enough to drill 
1/8" or No. 30 drill size holes in the scab patch first and then into the 
belly skin second.  This isn't rocket science and I'd think that doing a 
Bondo job would be far messier and not last at all compared to making and 
installing a simple scab patch.  Others here can tell you more about how to 
approach this easy repair.

Tom