Rear quarter panel seams to weld or not to weld

[mnido]

I have the body on a rotisserie, it is stripped and I am working on some minor rust between the upper bed rail and lower quarter seam. I have used #1 tip on an oxy-acetylene torch to burn out the seam sealer as best I could.I have wired brushed and sand blasted the seam. My intentions now are to turn the body on its side so I can soak the seam with a rust inhibitor. Then apply a 2 stage epoxy primer, then do some minor bonder action to repair the minor pitting.Then seam seal, prime again, and paint But I am wondering if I should just weld (mig) the seam closed and be done with it ?

 

[suckerpunched]

I would do it the first way you described. I think by the time you finish welding it you will wish you didn't do it that way. I have used compressed air to blow the rust converter into the seam, makes a mess but forces it in there.

 

[Tito]

Did you see the recent thread on replacing that section? Lemme see if I can find it, it was slick.

 

[mnido]

I like your air trick ! I tend to agree with your opinion about welding, seems like a lot of work for no real gain

 

[Tito]

Here it is...
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128225&highlight=seam

 

[mnido]

Wow that is trick ! I take it you cut the patch from the bottom panel and you would also remove the spot welded left over piece, So the lower weld would be on the bottom panel and the upper weld would be the rounded formed edge that would weld to the upper panel Do you think the picture of the Bronco that was done has the tail light section seam welded also ? Thanks for finding this link

 

[Explorer]

Personally the only time I would consider welding the seams is on a trailer queen. It just makes it too hard later to replace damaged sections. I just finished a Karmann Ghia which is a one piece body and it is so much easier just to replace only a fender. No more one piece bodies for me.

 

[mnido]

I would agree if the Bronco rear panel bolted on like a Ghia fender. But I think a simple small bead down a seam is pretty easy to split with a die grinder. Thats the easy part, undoing all the spot welds is a pain in the blank.

 

[Explorer]

I would agree if the Bronco rear panel bolted on like a Ghia fender. But I think a simple small bead down a seam is pretty easy to split with a die grinder. Thats the easy part, undoing all the spot welds is a pain in the blank.

Karmann Ghia fenders do not bolt on. The whole exterior is either formed or butt welded. I'll take the spot welds, but thats just my opinion.

 

[gjrock]

I agree,if you wheel it I would go with the sealer.Provides a little flex in the body.