Should You Use Filler?

[cobolman]

Thanks to many of the folks on this forum that have given me advice and shared opinions on my welding. Today's question has to do with finishing a repair.

The image below is a repair I have made to a Mini windscreen scuttle I'm generally happy with the welding (some pinholes excepted - I'll finish those tomorrow) but I'm not happy about the undulations I can feel in the panel when I run my fingers over it. It's like the original panel has a slightly different shape than the repair panel and there's also a very slight concave element to where the weld line runs.

Here's my question:

Should you always strive for a perfect welded panel or is applying car body filler after a welded repair more usual?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

 

[nickk]

Filler is usually necessary for a near perfect shape and fit,years ago lead would be added for an invisible repair,also the quality of fit and match of panels and repair sections varies widely,well done on your efforts.

 

[steveo3002]

nothing wrong with a bit of filler

 

[brightspark]

nothing wrong with a bit of filler

as long as theres no rust behind it and solid metal

 

[Tupers]

The dip is due to the weld shrinking as it cools and pulling each side of the joint down.

Ideally you would planish the seam with a hammer and dolly to stretch the area back to the correct shape and the finish with filler, primer etc during the bodywork phase.

MIG welds are a lot harder than TIG or gas so don’t planish out quite as nicely but it’s worth doing to avoid adding an excessive amount of filler.

 

[bert]

Was it a magnum repair section by any chance as they were always different to the heritage scuttles.

I always replaced the whole scuttle whenever I did one so the shape matched.

But in answer to your question yes a little filler is always required when joining 2 panels together. The aim is to minimise it and it looks like you have done a fine job

 

[cobolman]

Was it a magnum repair section by any chance as they were always different to the heritage scuttles.

I always replaced the whole scuttle whenever I did one so the shape matched.

But in answer to your question yes a little filler is always required when joining 2 panels together. The aim is to minimise it and it looks like you have done a fine job

It is indeed a Magnum panel.

The reason I didn't replace the entire panel is because the car is a 1960 Mini with the flat windscreen surround and I don't know of a repair panel that addresses that. That said, and hindsight being 20/20, I'd now do the cut along the straight section just below the windscreen.

I didn't think of a heritage panel for the scuttle. I'll have a look.

Thanks!

 

[cobolman]

The dip is due to the weld shrinking as it cools and pulling each side of the joint down.

Ideally you would planish the seam with a hammer and dolly to stretch the area back to the correct shape and the finish with filler, primer etc during the bodywork phase.

MIG welds are a lot harder than TIG or gas so don’t planish out quite as nicely but it’s worth doing to avoid adding an excessive amount of filler.

Got it. I couldn't use a dolly here as I have no access to the underside but I will remember for later work. Thanks

 

[Morris]

That looks like a good repair. I wouldn't be ashamed to put a skim of filler on to get it spot on. As said, over sound clean metal although my preference is over epoxy primer and then seal with epoxy after final shaping.

 

[beeRS]

I would be very pleased with a repair like that and a skim of filler is perfectly acceptable.

If you could weld a repair like that, that didn’t need filler, I would think of you as a welding God.

 

[bert]

It is indeed a Magnum panel.

The reason I didn't replace the entire panel is because the car is a 1960 Mini with the flat windscreen surround and I don't know of a repair panel that addresses that. That said, and hindsight being 20/20, I'd now do the cut along the straight section just below the windscreen.

I didn't think of a heritage panel for the scuttle. I'll have a look.

Thanks!

Always heritage every time if you can they are in many cases pressed using the same tool your car was originally pressed with. All other manufacturers are copies so have their fitting issues

 

[Mark 2]

The clue is in the name.

 

[charlysays]

Great looking repair. Wish I could do that sort of work!
Try dinitrol 6030 , it's an aluminium pigmented allegedly non porous filler. I just don't like the idea of something porous with no cathodic protection as the first layer onto steel (normal filler).
Another route as above is epoxy primer, then filler, then more epoxy primer.

 

[Jack_K]

Filler is fine.

Magnum panels are rubbish. You've made it fit now so don't worry though.