I don't so much mind fixing dents...

VintageMusclecar · #1 01-16-2008, 01:39 AM

but MAN do I hate fixing rust...esp. rust that was previously cleverly hidden underneath fiberglass mat and undercoating.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...there are certain people in this world who should never, ever be allowed to turn a wrench on a car...much less attempt any form of body work.

Maybe if I was a better welder (or maybe if i had a better welder?!) I wouldn't mind fixing rust so much...but I've been fighting with my archaic Daytona mig (little 110v jobbie) for a few weeks now trying to find the sweet spot between power and wire speed...seems either it was too cold and blobbing up some rather impressive "bird poop" welds, or it was too hot and blowing holes in everything in sight. (It would figure that just as I'm finishing everything up for now, I finally found the sweet spot.

...still got plenty of bird poop welds to grind down though!)

Jobs like this make me understand just that much more clearly why the pro resto doods get paid the big bux.

Rant off. Carry on.

Eric

**firstgenaddict** · #2 01-16-2008, 02:15 AM

I would rather be working with rust than a patched up fiberglass mess anyday... rsut does suck though... using a tig is the best way on thin metal... IMHO

Nova Jed · #3 01-16-2008, 02:22 AM

I'm on my third car now and only just found the "sweet" spot. Eric, I will trade some work for a carb....LOL What are you working on?

VintageMusclecar · #4 01-16-2008, 02:56 AM

James;

I've only tried to tig once in my life...I ain't that coordinated

Jed;

I'm fixing some rust in the inner wheelhouses and at the sides of the trunk floor on my Chevelle. I've already replaced the drivers side footwell and fixed a butchered shifter hole...mind you, this all on a car that I purchased with the assurance that it was "100% rust-free". I honestly expected to find some rust, I've just found quite a bit more than I'd bargained for.

Live and learn.

Eric

Nova Jed · #5 01-16-2008, 03:10 AM

I love rust! That's all there is in cars from PA! I wouldn't buy a car if it didn't have any panels that didn't need replacing.

Heck, I would've done better on a junkyard car compared to the POS I'm doing up now. I've seen better in the junkyards around here!

I need a couple

!

68l30 · #6 01-16-2008, 04:47 AM

The trick to those little buzz box migs is to use the right mix of shielding gas and wire.....I like to run a 95/5 mix.Stay away from those tri mixs and the cooler running blends..If your still tring to weld with the flux core set up .......Your better off with coat hangers and torches..

Be sure to check your power supply. If you have a weak circut your in for a rough time as well.In doing field work, I've found those machines run like a whole new animal when coupled to a generator... Hope it helps.

Steve

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