Mk 1 Diesel Project

**DubSteve** · 09-02-2009, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by WABIT

just make sure the surface is clean! the first pic looks like the paint is still close to the welds, OH OH and make sure u primer the underside oof the welds so there is no rust in a few years

dom

Agree, prep is the key Jarred make sure that the welded areas before are nice and clean before going ballistic mate

**Jarred** · 09-02-2009, 04:05 PM

Don't worry guys, prep was all there. Nice and rough, and all metal too.

**Peter Jones** · 09-02-2009, 04:09 PM

Watch you don't put too much heat in when you're grinding the welds off.

Grab a flapper disc for your grinder too so you don't gouge out the surrounding metal. They're about the same price as a grinder disc just gentler and a much smoother finish.

You need to keep the panel cool as possible to avoid distortion. I use a soaking wet rag to take the heat out between welds and when grinding.

Other than that it's all practice.

Make sure you're wearing all the safety gear and have a bucket of water or a hose nearby. Remember that you can't see flames through the visor and you may not know that you've set yourself on fire. (Seriously)

and like Dom says, surface preparation is everything, use your new flapper disc to clean up the panel for a good area around the weld and make sure your earth clamp is attached to freshly cleaned metal too.

For what you're doing, use short bursts on the trigger, wait 'till it's no longer glowing red before you pull the trigger again. When you're begining a series of spots will be easier than a long stitch, especially in rusty sheet metal.

We'll have you lead wiping in no time.

Pete

**thestu** · 09-02-2009, 04:15 PM

good job jarred i knew you didn't need me to do it

glad to see some work getting done

**Peter Jones** · 09-02-2009, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jarred

Don't worry guys, prep was all there. Nice and rough, and all metal too.

You're going to need to clean a larger area than shown on your pictures.

The smoke and fumes from the burning paint will affect the weld otherwise.

You're going to have to remove the burnt paint anyway so it's better to get it out of the way up front.

Roughness doesn't matter, in fact your'e probably making the job harder by removing metal along with the paint.

Which process are you using? Gas or gassless MIG?

Good on you for taking a crack at it, that's how to learn these things.

Pete

**Jarred** · 09-02-2009, 04:26 PM

Using Gas MIG Pete.

I don't remeber burning too much smoke, but I'll look out for it extra tomorrow.

Had all the safety gear on too.

All good advice though Pete, I'll take as much as I can, thanks!