Welding, How much ?

Ok been practicing yesterday, when the new metal is in is it coated with an anti rust primer and then undersealed or does something else have to be done ?
 
I'd paint it in epoxy mastic 121 and put seam sealer round it. Then underseal to make it match the rest of the car.
 
I used weld through primer for bits I would have difficulty getting to afterwards too if that helps.
 
Mick

Yes I use U pol weld through Zinc primer as first protection then epoxy mastic 121and U pol Grey Stripe seam sealer. I think everyone has their favourite underseals and seam sealers. The Rustbusters website is worth a look.

Got any pics of your practise welds?

Dave
 
ok, thanks for the advice on the sealer etc, the pics here we go....
DSCF2269.jpg
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DSCF2268.jpg
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Thats where I am now, inside the car...
DSCF2270.jpg
....
DSCF2271.jpg
..... do I need to put another plate inside ? I know I have to grind down the welds but waiting a while as too many little burns on my arms. OK guys I am a man I can take it what do you think

Mick
 
That's practise??....brave of you to do that from underneath :shock:

A few gaps in the weld but penetration doesn't look too bad. On metal that thin you should see evidence of penetration all the way around. Cleaner metal on the plate would've helped. You really do need to get it as clean and bright as you can to minimise spatter and ensure continuous current flow. Otherwise the weld pool cools down and heats up as the wire touches unclean then clean metal and you never quite get a clean weld. Hold the torch tip with your non-trigger hand to control the movement (good reason for thick gloves) and get the tip as close to the metal as you can get it. I would now weld the other seam from inside to close it off as you have quite an overlap there. As for grinding down the welds be careful to grind across and not along the weld with the grinder at a good angle. This helps make sure you don't grind away too much good metal. To be honest, underseal will cover most of that and the welds are not so big as to be noticeable from underneath. There's actully no need to grind the welds down at all, indeed too much grinding can weaken the join. Your choice based on how you want it to look but I'd leave it as is.

Dave
 
Mick, Uphill welding? For practice? You are too modest with your skills. I doff my metaphorical hat to you.



John.
 
Very good Mick :D

Personally I wouldn't weld the inside as well, just warm it up and paint a load of waxoil on it so that it seeps into the overlap.

I would have used a smaller plate and welded it from the inside, far easier than lying on your back doing it.

Brilliant first attempt at welding though.

Richard
 
Thanks guys, I did do a little welding on the A pillars, a bit of practice before that , then practice alot of yesterday and that bit their took well over 2 hours welding, that doesn't include the cleaning and prep. I take on board that the metal should/ could have been cleaner, it did spatter now and then. Best bit is didn't need a fire engine. Happy Days are here again.
 
Looks good. Personally I'd weld around the inside as well (belt'n'braces and all that) but thats just my view. Also I'd be wary of plastering it all with undersael before you have it tested as people who don't weld things up properly often do that to try to fool the tester.
 
Ok good point Mr H, I have just put a primer on the new metal and seam sealer, both inside and outside, Mot is now end of next week, should be able to leave underseal until then , it's not going to rot in that time I hope.
 
v8guy said:
Nice little job there Mick, 10/10 for effort :D
Click to expand...
Blimey guy that was kind of ya, thought you was going to say did you do that with your eyes shut :LOL:
Not a bad effort that mick are you going to fill in the missing bits? If so give it a good wire brushing first :)
 
Good God man........ I wish that my first practice was that neat!

In fact I wish my welding was that neat, period!!!!!

Well done mate :LOL:

J
 
I had 1 day of practice a few months ago, then did 2 very small bits of welding on the A pillars. Didn't touch the welder again until yesterday when I had another session of practice, then this was the real thing
 
Good work Mick. Like the other said a smaller patch (less overlap) and welded from the inside would have been easier but that's a fine job you've done. You could just do inch stitches round that inside overlap if you want - you shouldn't get burnt welding from above either!
 
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