More Auto body repair & detailing Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Auto body repair & detailing
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About William Forster
Expertise
22 year veteran, 2 years of vocational training. A.S.E. certified Master collision repair/refinish technician. I-CAR certified. 17 yrs. GM experience. I can answer most questions related to automotive body repairs, ranging from small scratch repairs all the way up to the most extensive collision repairs. I can expertly advise people on what to expect from their body shop experience, right down to what self repairs should, and should not, be done. Lastly, I can advise tricks and tips for classic car restoration, such as lead repairs. SORRY, I DO NOT DO ONLINE ESTIMATES OR GIVE PARTS PRICES!! BE PREPARED FOR THE CORRECT ANSWER- NOT THE ONE YOU WANT TO HEAR. I won't B.S. you, or sugar coat answers. Just plain, hard facts.
Experience
1983-85 vocational school training 1992 PPG certified refinish technician/ 1994-1996 Chevrolet certified Journeyman technician 1997-present ASE certified Master collision repair/refinish technician/estimator. 1998 I-car structural repair certification
Past/Present clients
Just about every major insurance company in NW Ohio
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Autos > Auto Parts > Auto body repair & detailing > 67 malibue cowl panels
Expert: William Forster - 10/25/2009
Question
hello
Just wondering about filling the holes in the panels. I drilled the spot welds with a 5/16 bit. I relize now that one panel will have to be filled for plug welding. I have not seen replacement panels yet so filling holes i go. I tried using copper as a backing to plug weld. I was using 0.035 wire, may be i need smaller wire and mig machine? These attempts did not work so well. The metal got distorted. I cut the edge off hoping to butt weld the 1" strip back on this is were i stand now.
Answer
Harold, you offically made a mess. You should have used spot weld cutters as opposed to drilling thru both panels. I'm guessing you're using flux core mig wire- it's really too heavy to weld sheet metal. (takes more heat than .23 gas shielded wire) You can try to move down to 30 thousands, that will require less heat. Welding sheet metal is difficult under the best circumstances- expect warpage. Only do a couple zaps at a time, only do half inch stitch welds- don't seam weld. bounce around, be patient, you'll get it. Bill
Ask a Question
|
|
