I'm looking to patch the rear quarter panel where the panel meets the rear tail light due to rust damage. all i have at my disposal for welding is a Miller 211 MVP with 0.35 wire. I know this wire is too darn thick, but is it possible or okay to patch the panel with this? Or should i get a new drive roller and go with .23 / .24 wire?






thanks..

 

.35 wire is thick but works. you might just have to grind the extra down. Just watch your temp as you can warp the hell out of the 1/4 panel. Just do spot welds and let it cool down a lot before starting on the next. It should take you a while to do this correctly, just make sure to short strand body filler over the welds as its water resistant and will help make sure no rust comes through.

 

if i move down to the thin wire, less heat and less welds to grind down. i might as well spend the money and do it right for the welding part. because it could cost me more if i wrap the panel...

i was thinking 4 tacks, let it cool for 5 and then start again.

 

somewhat, but if you compressed air .35 is fine, just blow air on it for a min or two. I usually will tack one side, just to the other side and do a weld and you just end up walking around the panel. If you do end up swapping for a .23 wire make sure to use a quality with like Lincoln or Hobart.

 

dont blow air on the panel to cool it after the weld if you are trying NOt to warp it. Let it cool on its own and move slowly.


Blowing air on a hot weld will warp the panel faster than getting it too hot

 

I blow air on mine and never had an issue, I do this almost daily. To each is your own, there are a million ways to skin a cat. There are also jells that cool areas around welds and stuff like clay, that help cool the weld area. Like I said I do this a lot and haven't had any issues or warps, but I have been doing this like 10years.