A friend is going to do some body work on a wrecked s2000. He borrowed a TIG setup and was told that he can use 304 or 316 stainless wire on the body panels. I'm just curious is this okay? I would think the material would need to match the body panel as close as possible. Any problems with dissimilar metals since the panels are carbon steel?

Thanks!
Vince

 

any reason he isn't useing a mig? i would think it would be alot easier to fit up and weld then grind it down...

 

Sure the 304 wire will work...a GMAW with ER70S-2 (or 6) would work better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91jdmhatchback &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">any reason he isn't useing a mig? i would think it would be alot easier to fit up and weld then grind it down...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah I agree but I think the TIG was easier for him to get a hold of.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sure the 304 wire will work...a GMAW with ER70S-2 (or 6) would work better.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the info, I just wanted to make sure there were no issues with dissimilar metals, corrosion, separation, etc.

Vince

 

I'd say theres going to be an issue with the dissimilar metals on bodypanels. for example you dont go welding stainless as replacement fenders, even though the stainless ones wouldnt rust, because of galvanic corrosion.

 

It will weld fine, but Flashmn is right, there will be an electrochemical potential across the SS-&gt;steel, which will accelerate corrosion of the steel. Of course, you could just use cold galvanizing spray on the welded areas, and be done with it.

 

Good info guys, appreciate it, I just don't want see his paint job ruined in a few years due to something like this.

Thanks!
Vince

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Of course, you could just use cold galvanizing spray on the welded areas,</TD></TR></TABLE>
well that wouldnt matter, since the metal is still touching each other. it would help with corrosion due to air contact.

Not to mention a tig would create so much heat, you'll probably major warp the panel too.


Modified by Flashmn at 12:21 PM 6/22/2007

 

it's kind of a bitch grinding down SS welds on mild steel, hard to make it flush since the ss is harder and works differently

Why not get him some er70 filler for the tig?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flashmn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well that wouldnt matter, since the metal is still touching each other. it would help with corrosion due to air contact.
Not to mention a tig would create so much heat, you'll probably major warp the panel too.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
The air contact was what I was referring to. Contact elecrolysis can only be prevented with an insulator of some sort, like the silicone we use between stainless bolts and the aluminum hulls of our boats.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but TIG has much more precise heat control compared to MIG. It shouldn't warp the panels nearly as much as MIG, if properly done.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sharkytm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

And correct me if I'm wrong, but TIG has much more precise heat control compared to MIG. It shouldn't warp the panels nearly as much as MIG, if properly done.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have seen some old hot rod guys TIG in patches. it would be interesting to do tacks with both and then hit them with an infrred thermometer at a preset time after completion.

 

if he is going to fix something that would require him to weld why not replace the whole panel so its only spotwelded and seamsealed

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And correct me if I'm wrong, but TIG has much more precise heat control compared to MIG. It shouldn't warp the panels nearly as much as MIG, if properly done. </TD></TR></TABLE>
It may be more precise, but it is hotter.

 

yeah you should get him to rent a mig instead, for the distortion problem to get fixed

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dfoxengr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah you should get him to rent a mig instead, for the distortion problem to get fixed</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree, ideally a spot welder because he is buying brand new panels from Honda. Do you guys know good places to rent spot welders? We're in the northeast around Philly, PA.

If he can't get a hold of a spot welder, cant he use the mig to tack weld the edges of the panel? Or drill holes in the new panel seams and weld them through to the body with the mig?

Hopefully that makes sense to you guys, what do you think?

Thanks,
Vince

 

yes you can do all that

 

Theres a punch device that you can use to make holes to make spotwelds with a mig.