Tips on welding, practicing, etc.

[Nova70]

I have a few spots on my truck where I want to weld in a couple panels, but don't want to make it look like the previous owners jobs... How or what did you guys use to practice up on?

- I want to cutout the factory stereo plate and weld in a plate that's flush, without the indent. I also want to weld a piece across the factory gas tank filler.

---I know how to form metal so the gas filler will not have a flat spot, lol. I just have very little welding experience.

Thanks,
Nova70