The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Help with sheet metal please

I would like to begin by admitting I know nothing and its getting worse.

I had a dent with a crease in it. When I pounded it out the crease split. In fact the entire dent did a spiderweb thing. I have tried to weld it back together but the metal is just so brittle and thin. I am either blowing holes in the metal or not getting a good knit.

Should I try solder since it doesn't get as hot? Has anyone done this as a bandaid until they can get something better?

Does anyone have any suggestions that might help?

I assume you are using a wire fed welder, slow the wire speed down and decrease the heat and do little spots an inch or two apart, then after it cools some go back and fill in. If you got a piece of copper, put it behind the crack and keep it up with your welder to help with the blow through. A piece of copper pipe pounded flat works good. You might need a helper to hold it there for you, hope you have two helmets.

Solder won't stick and will melt away and fall out faster than you can put it in.

Torch and brass (brazing) would be a better option but that is almost as hard as soldering.