Patch panel welding - body guys

ragtopfury said

Mike - I don't recall off the top of my head. My kids gave the 4 piece set to me for Christmas. But my panels are not coated and seem to be hand formed, while the new wheelhouse is stamped and coated.

Oldman - I guess I could do it that way if I did the patch panel 1st and then put the wheelhouse in, but I don't know if I will be able to finagle it in behind the bedside after the fact.

I had figured spraying the inside with weld thru primer or spray cold galvanizing before and after welding the new pieces in, and then rubberized undercoating the best I can. Was also going to flange the original so the seam is upside-down, not allowing wetness to collect in it?

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That weldable primer is a waste of money. Being able to let the seam gravity fill is the best way. That flange tool is cheap at Harbor freight. You can also use the punch on the opposite end to make holes in the original panel to screw it on before welding then remove the screws and plug weld after the panel is welded solid. Then plug weld the holes . Always make sure you first coat of filler is a water proof Dura-Glass or like. I have done a lot of rust and sheet metal work in my days. Early on in life I had jobs come back to redo after years. I saw what went wrong. My son is the mechanic and Machinist. I have always done bodies even complet shells. This is me in the 80's