Welding Sheet Metal Patch Panels

Say if you are welding an 18 gauge stainless steel sheet that is 2 2 feet in size to repair the side of your tank start by creating a weld that is 1inch long then skip 6 inches and then create a 1 inch long weld.

Welding sheet metal patch panels.

840 2570 l 840 2570 r 129 99 each from auto metal direct will replace the rotted out sections on our e body project. These left and right trunk floor extensions part no. In order to weld sheet metal or patch panel you have to follow certain rules and use specific techniques. Sheet metal welding techniques.

It produces good quality results and is usually the preferred method for autobody repair unless you re a very experienced welder. Ideally there should be a 1 32 gap between the patch and the body panel. Proper technique will come with practice and experience. Also it will ensure that you don t get any warping of the materials you are working on and no burn through as well.

Then i d discover all the cutting tricks and tips. Making a patch panel take some time to make your patch a perfect fit. After slicing the patches out with a cutoff wheel next came the bending hammer and dolly session until the patches matched the holes and fit snug and flush into the flanged seat. To obtain the best results while mig welding sheet metal proper fitment and cleanliness of the metal are essential.

Sheet metal is only thin so you won t need a very powerful welder just check the metal thickness of your sheet metal with the. Then there s the welding process itself lots of practice required. See all 13 photos with the bottom layer welded the next patch can be tack welded in. Once complete the welds will be ground flush being careful not to thin the metal on either side of the weld.

If this was your first ever sheet metal butt weld i d try more practice first. Mig welding is the easiest process to learn that has revolutionized autobody repair. I keep it short and to the point in this welding instructional video and show how ve. I then used the templates to trace out the patch panels on some sheet metal.

Learn how to mig weld automotive sheet metal in about 5 minutes or less.