body panel question?

[alpar80]

I just recieved some body panels from LMC truck to fix up some parts on my Chevy cab. I am wondering if it is acceptable to spot weld these panels in place? Some of the body parts include a floor pan, rocker panel (inner & outer) and front and rear pillars. The other question is that before I spot weld do I need to drill the new body panels and if so what size bit to use? These panels came pre-primed, will I need to scuff the primer to bare metal before welding?

[raggedjim]

Most people will advise you to butt weld your panels in. This applies to the floors, and front & rear pillars. Butt welds will require a lot of tedious cutting and fitting, but in the end gives the best looking repair.

As far as the outer rocker, I punched holes with a metal punch (1/4" I think...) and did a rosette weld to the metal behind. This simulates the factory spot welds.

Using a lap is common, it is easier... but you have a place for rust to develop. In the end, I think it's worth the effort to butt weld...

You will need to sand the coating off before you weld. The cleaner the better, a dirty weld will rust and is not as strong.

I think you have to balance what you want to achieve against how much effort you want to invest... It doesn't take much more effort to do it right, and the results will be longer lived.

There are a lot of threads showing body repairs, try the faq's or a search...

Good luck, Rg

[Aarons72s]

Yes you have to remove the factory primer to weld. But if you are having a lap joint apray 3M weld thru primer on it. Works great and cause the panel not to rust in between. The stuff comes in a rattle can. but be warned this stuff aint cheap. It runs about 15 to 20 bucks a can. It took two cans on doing my floor. You can get it at most part stores that sell automotive paint. Sometimes they have to order it. Hope this helps.

[hawaiianblue72]

my bodyman told me that he would put the doors on before he would put the rocker panels and cab corners on because he wanted to make sure everything fit right. Don't make the mistake of putting on the doors and not fitting the rocker panels.

[Musclerodz]

Alot of those parts were originally spot welded, so it should be no problems if you can get to both sides to spot weld it.

Mike

[raggedjim]

Musclerod is right. The outer rocker panel is spot welded from the factory. The areas that need a lap or butt weld are the areas where there was not a factory seam (replacing sections of the floor or parts of the pillars)

The doors do need to be on to line up the outer rocker. I just tacked mine in place so it wouldn't move then I took the door back off for better access to weld.

P.S. I'm no expert, the repairs I'm doing are the first time for me. I came here and asked questions until I felt comfortable and then jumped in with both feet!

Good luck, Rg

[alpar80]

Yeah,

I myself, am a first timer... I need all the help I can gather before jumpin into this however, I want to get started soon becuause winter is coming. Since I dont have a garage does anyone know where one can do body work, like renting a self storage unit for a few months?