POR 15 and wheel wells

[Howard2x4x4]

The drivers side wheel well on my 1970 has rusted through. I have the body off, it has been sand blasted and primed with epoxy. Due to the burn-through prospect as a novice wire welder, I'm wondering about a coat of POR 15 on both sides of the wheel well and then adhering with epoxy a piece of sheet metal on either side. Thoughts? Thanks. Howard in beautiful West Michigan

 

[ScanmanSteven]

No, here's the problem doing that. it's really hard to bond the two metals plus the old piece inside, a perfect environment for trapped moisture and before you know it, rusted through again. Sorry, but that what I think, maybe the experts will tell you different.

 

[langester]

Cut out the rusted metal and put in new metal, if you don't you will hate yourself later. Make sure you remove all the primer on the area you are welding. If you use a chunk of copper behind where you are welding it will help you keep from burning through. Harbor Freight sells some with a handle on it for cheap or take a chunk of scrap copper pipe and flatten one end to use as a paddle. Insulate the handle if you weld alot or it will get hot.
Hope it helps, good luck!

 

[needabronco]

Do it right! Cut the panel out and practice welding on scraps for a few hours. IF your burning through, you need to use less heat. For sheet metal I use lower heat, more gas, and a faster wire speed. I also prefer the thinnest wire I can find. Replacement panels aren't that expensive and the repair will be correct and will last much longer. If you do a hack job, it will reflect on future buyers and what they offer you down the road.

Langsters idea on the copper is spot on!

 

[SYNCON]

Both por15 and Kbs coatings list a floor pan repair kit in which you get some of the paint and a piece of fiberglass that you coat into the paint. Don't fall into that trap. It's a bandaid for a temporary fix at best. Always replace the panel or cut out the bad section and weld in a new piece. Then metal finish it. No one will ever know it was done.

 

[jmangi62]

As langester mentioned, you can use a flattened piece of copper pipe to help prevent burn through, this is the method I used when welding up some holes in my grill.HTH,good luck.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Thanks for all the good input guys! I guess there are no shortcuts if one wants to do it right! Danka. Howard

 

[kip60]

Howard,
I bought a welder a month ago. Practiced on some scrap fender pieces for a week or so. Mostly plug welds. It doesn't take too long to get the hang of it. Like others have stated, use copper on the back side. You can buy magnet impregnated chunks or just a flattened piece of pipe. Mines pipe and held with vice grips. Burned through one of the early trials, but made some adjustments and after that no problems. Go for it!