Am I too fussy?

[Alex.]

Afternoon All

I've been replacing some rust sections on a car wing. The wing's off the car, and I'm welding from 'inside' so that I've less grinding to do on the face. It's not a structural piece, but I've been trying to seam weld it.

Trouble is, when I grind down the penetration I find pinholes where I've started and stopped welding (thin metal technique) These are only noticeable when I hold the wing up to daylight, if it was still on the car I'd never have noticed! I've tried re-welding but the arc jumps to the side of the hole and doesn't fill in.

I know this is all down to bad technique in the first place but I'm wondering if I'm being too fussy about these holes? After all they will have a skim of filler over them before painting.

If anyone can tell me how or whether to deal with the pinholes I'll be very happy!

Cheers

Alex.

 

[kelsham]

Am I too fussy

I usually wipe over the weld with one of the isopon bridging pastes that contain fibres. They are waterproof ,unlike most fillers. I believe there are fillers available that are not porous, I have never used them.


Regards Kels.

 

[chunkolini]

From my experience if I think I am being fussy I usually am.
But then again if I am being fussy there is usually a good reason for it.

If that makes sense.

Chunko'.

 

[Drains]

Do the pinholes matter?

If the weld is still doing it's job, they don't, so you're being too fussy.

Nothing wrong with trying to get it right though

Check your gas flow - 7 Lpm min, 10 Lpm max (or so), no draft; when you start on top of a previous weld, go backwards briefly before you go forwards.

I have to say, for what you're doing I really wouldn't worry.

 

[GeorgeB]

If anyone can tell me how or whether to deal with the pinholes I'll be very happy!

You could consider filling the pin holes with lead, which is non-porous and probably superior to filler, albeit more difficult to apply.

 

[the snooper]

or not being to obvious buy a new wing perhaps

 

[Alex.]

Since it's from my 1956 A30 new wing isn't an option. Even the repair sections cost a lot!

Looks like the general opinion is to fill and forget but I'll try drains' tip next time!

Thanks everyone.

 

[Ragnarok]

could there be a bit of rust or paint on the back side of the weld? contaminating the weld and making it porous, or slightly rusty mig wire?

 

[knoxville1971]

like ragnarok said make sure the weld is clean. do not fill over the pin holes in the weld clean them back to good steal and weld.if you do not moisture will be traped and will in 2,3,4 years come back to haunt you. ps 22 years panelbeater