Patching a car panel advice pls

[Noods]

Hi all..

I'm about to take a big step as a Newby ( tig) from the safety of my workshop and bench to hopefully welding a 6x8 cms patch over an old rust hole on one wing.. The good news is it really doesn't matter to me what it look like as it's my old van, if it does the job and it's safe that's fine by me..
Would it be better for me to use arc welding rather than tig? I've cut the patch out of the panel in a rectangle shape and cleaned it up to bear metal, also made a replacement patch up in thin steel to lap over the hole..

Your advice would be appreciated, as I say though, it's likely when finished to just be ground down and left in primer.. So it's really just how best to apply the patch pls..

Many thanks

 

[backpurge]

Think TIG would prob be a better option but MIG is the ideal choice due to its low heat input as opposed to TIG and stick welding

 

[Noods]

Just a bit worried about the thin panel.. Eg making more holes....

 

[T0rnado69]

i used to do it with an arc welding and 1.6mm rods, before i had a mig welder.

i used to cut the 1.6 rods in half to make them less whippy, but did cut down on length of welds and more changings
but it did the job and worked well until i discovered mig welders lol

 

[cumbriasteve]

Just a bit worried about the thin panel.. Eg making more holes....

If you use arc you will end up with some great holes, it's flaming hard work and takes lot of practice to get anything resembling a weld, I used to do it years ago...would never consider it now.

 

[Turbo]

Tig would be your best option, oxy/acet welding was all that was used to patch cars until mig came along and tig is effectively the same only using an electric arc instead of a gas flame to melt the metal.

Keep the amps down low, maybe 30-40 and do a series of well spaced short tacks, starting at one corner & work your way around your patch. When it's tacked in place join your tacks up swapping from one side of the patch to the other & letting each one cool to avoid warping. If you keep the joint tight with no gap you shouldn't need much filler rod, maybe a bit at the beginning to get the weld pool started. If done right you will produce a beautiful weld.