Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Southernscouse]

Is this a feasible option for body work repairs I have a O/A kit but sometimes acetylene is not always available I am thinking just for body not chassis Thanks

[Ray White]

The trouble you will have with using o/a on modern steel bodywork is heat distortion. You really need a mig or tig welder and even then some distortion is likely. If it is non structural then I prefer to just tack or spot weld and fill with a little epoxy rather than have a distorted panel and loads of filler.

0.6mm wire holds less heat than a 0.8mm so is less likely to blow through thin steel.

Incidentally, there is a general rule that the older the car the better the steel.

If aluminium is to be welded; I would say best leave it to an experienced welder.

[ukdave2002]

I have brazed body lap joint repair sections as imho the braze seals the join better. I'm not a fan of lap joints but some times needs must.

Professionals tend to use O/A or Tig for butt joints, as the panel can be planished and shaped after welding, Mig leaves a hard bead that is very difficult to shape , and when ground down or if you get a hammer and dolly on it, the weld can crack.

As Ray mentions Mig is useful if the welded joint is low and can be dressed with filler.

Another option when fitting a non structural lap joint repair is to glue it with something like 3M Panel Bonding Adhesive, apart from the obvious advantage that no heat is required, the joint is water tight, massively reducing the chance of corrosion in future years.

[Ray White]

I am a fan of Belzona. There are a wide range of products for a variety of uses ...but the downside is the cost.

[alastairq]

A shout-out for good ol' Tigerseal, too...Takes forever to get off one's fingers!
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Ray White]

[ukdave2002]

I think many modern adhesives are often overlooked by folk restoring old vehicles as they are viewed as a bodge, I'd wager that many of the structural adhesives would offer stronger, longer lasting repairs than some restorers welded efforts!

[Bitumen Boy]

[Southernscouse]

Thanks for the replies gives me more to think about