The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Sheet Metal Question

Does anyone know the "type" of metal that was used for a 53 3100 body panels ?? Was it low carbon, medium carbon, cold rolled, hot rolled,...... I need to patch some rear fenders on one of my AD's and I need to know the best metal to use. Would "mild steel" give me the best, workable patches ?? I think that the gauge used was 19 for the body panels, and 16 for the floor pan. But there are so many "types" of steel to choose from, that I want the easiest to form and weld.

I use 18 gage about .045 it is a bit on the thick side but if you strech it or grind/file it you have more to work with. I do have some 19 gage. Tt is special order and not stocked by most sheet metal shops. It is mild or low carbon. 20 gage would be stocked and is easy to form. It is on the light side and will warp more. I would try the 18 gage. I have made many fender patches for the 47-55 trucks. What area are you patching?

Thanks for the reply Metal Man. One rear fender has a “quarter” sized hole on the top (low crown area), and the other has a rip about 8 inches above the front edge. I would hate to buy new fenders because I believe that the original parts are superior to the replacements. Also, I am one of those “it is better to buy the right tool and fix it yourself” type of guys.

Just use cold rolled mild steel. That is all it was, no high tech high carbon or something, just good old cold rolled mild.

Believe me, those small areas are no big deal and even if you used a piece of high strength high carbon steel, by the time it was welded in, it would be completly changed from the heat anyway.

Thanks Martinsr, cold rolled mild steel is what I'll use. I picked up this 3 window at a "Yard Sale" about a month ago. It was supposed to be a parts truck, but I like it too much to destroy it.... It is already a good daily driver, it just needs a little TLC (and paint).