Welding advice

[Arthurdaily]

Right, new four door I've purchased going nicely, but am making a list of jobs - and one of the first is dealing with this:[frame][/frame]

No prizes for guessing the location. It looks like at some point the inner wing has rusted out and somebody has patched it from behind. Now, the work appears - from the wheel side - very solid, it passed a recent mot etc... the door hangs well, and there is no evidence of any other issue in that general area.

Anyway, I thought that I could simply weld AROUND the patch, ie weld a thin fabricated patch all the way round between the inner panels and the inner-wing-patch. Would that be okay in the short term? As for safety, I thought of removing the petrol pump and feeds to the carb, then cover the petrol pipe with loads of wet towels, remove all stuff from inside glovebox, insulation etc, and wiper gubbings - then tack weld.

My welding would go here...:[frame][/frame]

The other side is slightly similar - I'd do the same here:[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Very difficult access.....

[Arthurdaily]

Yes, I thought about cutting out the bit of metal that goes from the top lip to the bulge underneath, the bit behind the wiper motor, that would give me some more room.

[rogerowen]

Hiya, I'm not a hugely proficient welder - but I think your idea is basically sound. I like the idea of Wet Towels! Personally I'd do the same for the fuel pump and if you are just tack welding take a look every now and again to check there's no smouldering anywhere. If you are only tack welding you will be on low current anyway - so you shouldn't get too much splatter.

You might consider dividing your patch pieces into several sections as the curves are complicated to fabricate in one piece.

It won't be a pretty job - but will do what's required.

[kennatt]

yes but arn't you compounding the problem for later,you will then have three bits of metal overlapping and rusting away inside the joint,and if you want to do the job properly ie remove wing cut out All rusty edges,and remake or replace the inner wing.at a later stage, you will have all of the weld to remove,not an easy task considering its easy to get the mig tip in there but how about a grinder . The patch will have to be seamwelded all round to keep the mot man happy,they do look under the bonnet.

[Arthurdaily]

Yes, you are probably right - perhaps take the outer wing off and see from there - a new inner wing rear repair section is quite cheap if needed - though I have so far only done tiny welding repairs...

Practice makes perfect though eh?!

[rogerowen]

Absoloutly right! Practice does make (nearly) perfect. I used to farm out my welding work - until it got too expensive. Bought a cheap MIG and now feel competant enough to weld most stuff. It is a very satisfying challenge.

[chickenjohn]

No! Remove both wings and repair the rear of the inner wing and A pillar, there will be MUCH more rust than is visible from within the engine bay.

[Arthurdaily]

Yes, that's what I intend now - but only one the offside. The driver's side was done by the previous owner - it is just the seem wasn't completed in the engine bay, though I know it was all sorted everywhere else. It is only the offside that needs the full treatment. I wonder how long an inexperienced welder would need to do this? My wife will not be happy...

[les]

You need to get a quote, welding up is one thing but cutting away metal and fabricating the new stuff is another. If you could do the latter and maybe tack into place, then get a welder to do his bit. That would keep the price down.

[Arthurdaily]

No, I said ' inexperienced ' - I meant ME. I have commited myself and family to having only classics, two Minors, one for road one for spare - this is the spare - but I MUST do all the work myself, or for the cost I might as well have a plastic-euro-box and have fewer immediate worries. So, as my now deceased 'car mentor' said: "just do it".

Also I have seen 'repairs' and supposedly good welding done at garages - and I can do better as a learner!

[rogerowen]

No, I said ' inexperienced ' - I meant ME. I have commited myself and family to having only classics, two Minors, one for road one for spare - this is the spare - but I MUST do all the work myself, or for the cost I might as well have a plastic-euro-box and have fewer immediate worries. So, as my now deceased 'car mentor' said: "just do it".

Also I have seen 'repairs' and supposedly good welding done at garages - and I can do better as a learner!

That's the spirit - Good for you!

[les]

My mistake I read it as 'experienced', great if you do it all.