Rust Problems (bottom plate under battery)

[littleD55555]

Im sure everyone has had to fix the metal underneith the battery area. Im just not sure of the best way to do this. Does this bottom plate deattact from the car and can you buy replacment parts, or if it does attact I can use it for a mold and make a fiberglass one, or should I just cut out allllll the rust and see what in left with, then fabricate some new sheetmatal to go in there? It lookes close to 22 gage is that correct?

[BQS4]

the original is welded in with spot welds, but, OGTS used to sell both a steel and fiberglass replacement. There are those who use their imagination and come up with various ways to redo the tray, or simply remount the battery in the back of the car.

[RallyBob]

Yup, OGTS has metal and fiberglass versions.

The metal ones are strong 18 ga. material, and have the ground strap nut and hold-down nut already welded in place. It's really the only way to go! If you're concerned with future rust-out, either prep the tray with POR-15 or some other similar rust-preventative paint, or go with a modern dry-cell battery that doesn't ooze acid out of the top!

Bob

[ungermm]

The picture is that of the belly pan below the battery tray. I'm sure the battery tray is almost all gone too. Removing and replacing the belly pan can be a major job. The low cost method would to either fiberglass for minor problems, or for more extensive problems like yours, to cut out the bad and weld in some new metal. For the belly pan you could use 20 - 22 gauge steal. If you choose to cut out the battery tray and replace, you should use something thicker (14 - 18 gauge). To finish, I like to fiberglass the inside of the belly pan and then spray with rubberized undercoating to prevent future rust issues.
Jerry

[kwilford]

Have a look through my photo album starting at
MIG Welding Bodywork 2007 - Opel Photo Gallery
for some ideas on how to remove and repair a rusted out belly pan

[littleD55555]

pictures speak a thousand words, thanks