Butt welding body panels

[got2haul]

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?

[Blazin]

They should be touching.

[devious]

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

[joesgarage71]

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.

[emr_09]

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.