welding something with paint on

[karl210]

Hi, i am in the market for a welder for myself. I am going to be spot welding a subframe support onto my car. I have grinded all the paint off the support and the chassis leg that it is being spot welded too, but in 1 place the support is double skinned and there is paint on the inside, will this be a problem or am i going to have to open it up and grind it out?

 

[Mr shiney]

The paints going to burn when you weld.

 

[karl210]

That doesnt really bother me, only spot welding anyway, will the actual weld be ok though? All other surfaces are down to metal

 

[kcchan]

You'll be able to get a wire brush attachment in there to clean the paint off.

 

[Bill Edwards]

If all the surfaces that you are welding on are free and it's just the back of the metal with paint left on then it'll just burn, smoke and smell. As long as the welding surfaces (make sure you've a few mm clean round the weld area too) then the weld should be OK.

 

[karl210]

Ok cool, thanks Bill, yeah got at least 20mm around where the spot welds will be except between those 2 layers, cant see a wire brush going between those 2 skins. Will have to bend it up and bend it back, loosing strength etc