How To Mig Weld Automotive Sheet Metal

Sheet metal warps easily and also can burn through easily.

How to mig weld automotive sheet metal. For mig welding sheet metal it is often recommended to use an electrode wire of the smallest diameter to prevent burn through and warping. Ditch a 1 8 inch tungsten electrode for something much smaller like 1 16 inch tungsten. While replacing body panels overheating and warping thin sheet metal is common. I keep blowing through my thin sheet.

When welding a long bead on sheet metal you ll put excessive heat into the panel and run the risk of the puddle falling through the panel. Tack in a few places apart from each other and wait until the panel is cool to the touch. Avoid warping the sheet metal. Then tack between the two previous tacks.

The best two electrodes for welding auto body sheet metal is either ceriated tungsten or thoriated tungsten. Short quick welds when welding sheet metal with a mig welder you do not want to try and run one long bead like when you re welding heavier metal. Place the welding tip wire at the gap and tack weld several small spots spacing them evenly apart. A better technique is to move around the weld seam doing short quick stitch welds that you eventually connect all together.