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.

How to mig weld automotive sheet metal.

While replacing body panels overheating and warping thin sheet metal is common. 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. I keep blowing through my thin sheet. Andy gives helpful insights and tips to mig weld thin sheet metal.

The main reason to use a smaller diameter wire is that it takes less heat for melting and hence the metal around the weld is not heated to a very great extent. Because it will have you a lot more control over the whole process and it is more forgiving in case you do anything wrong. Avoid warping the sheet metal. Tack in a few places apart from each other and wait until the panel is cool to the touch.

Then tack between the two previous tacks. Sheet metal warps easily and also can burn through easily. The best two electrodes for welding auto body sheet metal is either ceriated tungsten or thoriated tungsten. Place the welding tip wire at the gap and tack weld several small spots spacing them evenly apart.