Welding & hidden Flames

[maxeuer]

When doing some welding on the car floor, how can I avoid the development of fire inside hollow spaces, like the door sills , having been treated with Waxoyl or so before , possibly burning up the whole car?

[bmcecosse]

It's all part of the fun! It happens - just control it. Once it's burned away at least there is nothing then left to burn. Filled watering cans are handy! Obviously be v wary if anywhere near the petrol tank! if in doubt -remove it and store it outdoors - well away from the excitement.

[Alec]

Hello Maxeur,

you can't really avoid it, just ensure that all trim is removed so there is nothing to get damaged or catches fire. Also keep wet cloths or have a small hose to ensure control of any flames.

Alec

[alzax3]

Keep your hands away from it until long after it's cooled, it's evil stuff! Good idea to keep checking as you work, so that a small flame doesn't develop into a big one un-noticed!

[d_harris]

Ask Matt about hidden flames......

[PeteC]

As said above, as long as you take precautions then you'll be fine. If anything I would suggest be even more aware of using grinding or cutting discs as these can travel and be a danger across a wider area - unless you want to repeat my little mishap today.

Happily grinding away some welding, I stopped to get a good look at the panel and was wondering what on earth the burning smell was. A good look round the woodowrk didn't show anything alight, so I took a step back to sweep the entire back end.

As the smoke began to increase it dawned on me that the grinding sparks had set my rather oily overalls on fire about 5 inches from the old crown jewels. Oops.

So my lessons learned today were:
1. Don't position your body in the line of a shower of hot grinding sparks
2. Pointing a Co2 fire extinguisher at yourself is a rather cold experience!

[paulk]

Ask Peetee about the time I set light to his Back seat squab while 'helping' by welding his Spring hangers back in.

Have also set fire to oily overalls while wearing them.

Its just part of the joy of old cars. Just keep an eye out and investigate odd burning smells.

[eastona]

Yes, it does smoke a lot too.

When I welded my crossmember end in, it took me a second or two to realise it wasn't the glass that was opaque, but the inside of the car was gently smoking and smouldering away, and was full up of smoke.

Underseal and seam sealer (and most other things stuck to panels) sticks like napalm and give a really nasty burn.

As the others have said, use water and avoid inhaling (as Bill Clinton would say).

Andrew

[billlobban]

A simple domestic fire blanket comes in very handy. Cover the inside the car where you're welding / grinding with the blanket. Helps smother the flames and stops the sparks covering everything

[kennatt]

as well as a fire extinguisher I have a few washing up bottles,filled with water nearby handy for giving a direct squirt inside holes and down gaps.

[charlie_morris_minor]

if you are really concerned get a friend to look inside the car whilst you weld the outside so any small flames are spotted early before they become large flames.. as well as all the other precautions water / fire blanket etc etc

[AndySSS]

For fires inside box sections I use a fairy liquid bottle with a piece of windsreen washer pipe jammed in the top. You can usualy find a convenient hole to poke it in and give it a good squirt.