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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: got2haul on November 09, 2009, 08:00:13 pm

Title: Butt welding body panels
Post by: got2haul on November 09, 2009, 08:00:13 pm
I'm going to cut out and replace a section of damaged panel on a bedside.  Having never done this before, do I need to have a gap between the panels where they will be welded together, or should the panel edges be touching one another?  My guess is that there should be a gap, but I'm not sure.  If there is a gap, approximately how far apart should the edges be?
Title: Re: Butt welding body panels
Post by: Blazin on November 09, 2009, 09:08:28 pm
They should be touching.
Title: Re: Butt welding body panels
Post by: devious on November 10, 2009, 12:15:51 am
i agree...and when you grind the weld down dont hold the grinder in one spot for to long it will distort/warp the panel, just skip around from one side to the other
Title: Re: Butt welding body panels
Post by: joesgarage71 on November 10, 2009, 10:44:00 am
I use a flange tool on the bed side edges and cut the patch to fit. weld a inch every 8 inches cooling with a rag and water till its filled. grind and a little body filler.
Butt welds are harder, your patch better be good.
Title: Re: Butt welding body panels
Post by: emr_09 on November 10, 2009, 07:02:11 pm
I use a flange tool on the bed side edges and cut the patch to fit. weld a inch every 8 inches cooling with a rag and water till its filled. grind and a little body filler.
Butt welds are harder, your patch better be good.
This is the way I do it. Make sure you get epoxy on both sides and I would highly recommend using the short strand fiberglass filler by evercoat. It is waterproof where the regular body filler isnt.