Question About Welding Sheet Metal???

Posted By: 440charger70

Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/28/10 05:50 PM

When welding in new sheet metal onto a car, is it necessary to completely weld in the metal, or is it fine to do a tach ever inch or two and bondo over.

Looking to do decent work here, just seeing if I am waisting my gas and wire to run the entire bead...

Posted By: sthemi

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/28/10 06:11 PM

IF you are butt welding, you should weld the entire seam.. a small section at a time, then go back after it cools off and weld more..
If you are lap welding over an offset edge or on top of the base metal, tack welds about 1 inch apart will work.
Heat build up will ruin the job.. be carefull...

Posted By: Mopar_Country

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/28/10 06:27 PM

You will want to stitch it as described above, just be sure to move around so not to overheat any one particular area to avoid warping. After an area has cooled go back and add a little more weld. Patience, take your time and it will be fine.

Posted By: TiMopar

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/28/10 06:33 PM

Also, Eastwood make a re-usable paste stuff that you can put either side of the weld to aid cooling and avoid warping. Main thing is as others suggested to take your time and keep moving...

Posted By: Dave_J

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/28/10 11:46 PM

You can also get some strips of Copper. This copper strip can be shaped some and then hold it behind a hole and weld the edges around the hole up. The weld will not stick to the copper plus the copper will wick heat away some. Go slow and dont over heat the panel.

Posted By: 66Hemiwagon

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/29/10 04:49 AM

Quote:

You will want to stitch it as described above, just be sure to move around so not to overheat any one particular area to avoid warping. After an area has cooled go back and add a little more weld. Patience, take your time and it will be fine.

do not get in a hurry

Posted By: moparmxz

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/29/10 01:21 PM

Weld the entire seam if you want it to hold.

Posted By: DusTed74

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/29/10 01:45 PM

The copper works great as a backing for filling in small holes too.
I found a small length of copper tubing and just pressed it flat. Now it can be held with a vise grip or C clamped in place.

Posted By: RestoRick

Re: Question About Welding Sheet Metal??? - 09/29/10 01:53 PM

Quote:

Weld the entire seam if you want it to hold.

Also, if it's in an accessible area, shine light from behind to check for pinholes. Give moisture ANY place where it can get behind the filler and it WILL bubble it up!

Rick