Giving this a try

[mobileortho]

Having NEVER welded or did any sort of body work, I decided to weld the hood seam. The welds weren't the prettiest but they work.



I'm in the process of filling & smoothing the seam but have a question on the holes left from removing the front emblem.



Do I merely fill them with filler/bondo, or do the holes need to be welded first?

[BMERDOC]

Weld, grind smooth, minimum filler. The term is "plug welding". Have fun!!

[watchn]

Theres a trick u can use to fill those holes a little easier. Find some old copper pipe laying around and smash it flat, place it behind the hole and weld over top of it. Weld wont stick to copper. Also dont use filler/bondo that air dries. Its cracks like crazy and takes forever to dry. You always want the 2 part stuff.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by watchn

Theres a trick u can use to fill those holes a little easier. Find some old copper pipe laying around and smash it flat, place it behind the hole and weld over top of it. Weld wont stick to copper. Also dont use filler/bondo that air dries. Its cracks like crazy and takes forever to dry. You always want the 2 part stuff.

Isn't bondo two part stuff? The big can and the hardener? What's wrong with that?

[sgtusmc]

hahaha...you sure did jump in head first for being your first weld job. Looks good. Try and keep the heat down by jumping around the areas. So that you don't warp the sheet metal. If you bondo an area like the hood. There's a chance it'll come loose with the flexing of the hood when it's opened, closed and everyday driving. The more weld vs bondo is always the best. Once again, looks good.

[mobileortho]

Sgtusmc, I've always been willing to try something new. I really wish I'd paid more attention to my dad as he was a welder, but as a kid I had no clue I'd be doing this. He was also one heck of a mechanic (self taught) who could fix just about anything!

I'm using the two part stuff (bondo + hardner). Thanks Nick & Watchn for the tips. I'll weld up the hole, but what about the rest? There's about a quarter sized cavity that surrounds each hole that needs to be addressed. Will the bondo work in there or should that be welded also? I've found some washers about that size that might do the trick.

[BMERDOC]

I would be tempted to cut slits in the depressions, hammer smooth, weld and grind.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

I would be tempted to cut slits in the depressions, hammer smooth, weld and grind.

If you run your hand over the "depressions" for the emblem holes you will see that they are actually raised a bit from the surface of the hood and that needs to be addressed before they are filled and smoothed. I've seen a lot of trucks with the rings still showing through the paint after the truck is "finished"

I'd go light on the filler along the welded hood seam as the hood sides like to flex a bit and too much filler is likely to crack out in a short period of time.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

I would be tempted to cut slits in the depressions, hammer smooth, weld and grind.

Or infill with a metal disc, they look recessed. Welding that much build up will leave air pockets and cause a lot of heat = potential for warpage which is another problem. Take it slow working from hole to hole in small areas to minimize heat. Keep a hammer and dolly handy keep it as flush as possible as you weld. Grind in small patterns too, goal is to keep heat down which causes expansion.

On the plastic filler (I prefer rage myself) you want to keep it to a minimum, basically a scim coat. Built up metal will not crack or flake off, plastic (even two part) will if put on too thick. In my build it looks like I use a lot but it is usually just a very thin coat spread wide for feathering. Never run it over a metal edge if you can help it, work the metal to provide good edge. MartinSR has a really good series on body work. I think its on Stovebolt, google and it should show up.

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Weld, grind smooth, minimum filler. The term is "plug welding". Have fun!!

actually, A plug weld is drilling a hole and welding the metal behind the hole filling the hole.For example I am making a clutch push rod. i cut the head off A 1 1/2'X3/8 bolt and drill a couple holes
about 1/2" from the end of a 3/8" id tube. push the bolt in threads out and weld the holes up.Then thread a hiem on.

[BMERDOC]

Silly me! I thought plug welding was welding up any kind of hole including using the method to replace a spot weld.

[mknittle]

yeah, but he wasn't plug welding what he is doing is closer to butt welding as there are no holes drilled.LOL

[mobileortho]

What about this: I've found a washerthats just about the perfect size.



If I weld a bolt to the washer from behind then bolt the washer into the hole then weld it in place and grind it smooth. The washer leaves just enough space to tac it to the hood.

[Maximus]

I have no useful input here but I love the tuned port injection hiding under the hood!

[watchn]

Im thinking cut a circle of steel the size of the outside and weld it over so its smooth right off the bat. Cut the dimple out of the back or leave it and fill it with seem sealer. Seam sealer bad idea? Unless your thinking of laying a 5k paint job on it. Should last a very long time.

[OrrieG]

I always collect the round knock out pieces from electrical boxes on job sites to use. And you are right a plug weld has another piece behind it.

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I always collect the round knock out pieces from electrical boxes on job sites to use. And you are right a plug weld has another piece behind it.

Thanks orrie Sometimes I can't explan thangs well.
What collage education I have is in welding. I too save the nock outs and the left overs from hole saws and anythang that looks like a gusset. it suonds cheap but it has saved a lot of work I hate cutting justcutting one little part.

[Number 9]

Originally Posted by mobileortho

What about this: I've found a washerthats just about the perfect size.



If I weld a bolt to the washer from behind then bolt the washer into the hole then weld it in place and grind it smooth. The washer leaves just enough space to tac it to the hood.

I have used knockouts from electrical switch boxes.

[S10Fan]

I'll take the trim piece you removed from the hood! I have an emblem. LOL

See you Saturday?