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| | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 | I have a few small patches to do on the floor pan of my 54 pu. I have a bunch of 16ga. steel non-galvie laying around. The post that I have read here and else where all say 18ga. for patches...would I be breaking some kind of restoration rule by using 16ga.? Its thicker and thus can be MIG welded at a faster rate. I plan NOT to cut the midly rusted areas out but just overlap the patches and do a seal weld around the perimiter and some in the field of the patch then grind/flap disc smooth....any thoughts...ideas...constructive criticisms..THANKS, Steve | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 | 16 ga
that's all i did but i did blast and cut a clean area B-4 welding the newer stuff in.
Jim & Caroline
The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense."
Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe
Every Shaver | Now Can Snore | Six More Minutes | Than Before ... | Half A Pound for Half a Dollar | Spread On Thin | Above the Collar || BURMA-SHAVE
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | Steve,
A little constructive criticism here...If the spot is rusted bad enough to warrant putting a patch on it, I would cut out the rusted area.
You'll be happier in the long run. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 | Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions about the floor patches...and yes you are right, if the rusty part was really bad out it would go. But these are only pin holes and with a new plate on top it should wear for the life of me and the truck. Any other ideas pass them along as my eyes are open! THANKS,Steve | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 345 | If they are only pin holes, you may just be able to clean them, wire tack them together and then grind them down. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 127 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 127 | I've got a nice sized rusted area/holy area that I need to start working on right next to the battery hole.. I guess I'm going to cut the entire panel out and replace it rather than patching with a piece of sheet metal.... besides, my firewall is going to look really good so I don't a big rusted hole right there 
1952 Chevy 5 Window Restoration
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 8 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 8 | when i replaced the floor rust on my 54 gmc i used 16 ga and cut out the rust and butt welded everything and my advice is to use plenty o care in fitting the patch pannel it will make the welding so much easier not trying to fillin all that space you carelessly ground out
good luck | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 339 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 339 | Or maybe take some JB weld, stick it in the holes, and bondo over it...  Blake has the right idea, do it the proper way cutting the floor out and replace it...doesn't it make sense that the metal is all the same age, and will only rust out somewhere else in time...Do a permanent fix rather than a temporary one...Bill B | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 128 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 128 | For cheesecloth rust sections... POR-15 and fiberglass mat, 3 layers. You'll be able to beat on it with a hammer if you want.
Lee | | |
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