galvanized metal patching

[JointTech]

i went to the metal store to get some stock to patch some holes here and there. I got 20gauge galvanized sheet. I couldnt find any non galvanized other than stainless or aluminum.

is it ok to use this? I thought I remembered something about it being dangerous to weld on galvanized?

[Livrat]

Here is some reading on the subject.
http://www.sperkoengineering.com/htm...Galvanized.pdf

http://www.aws.org/technical/facts/FACT-25.pdf

[JointTech]

hmm good links. so I wonder what you arent supposed to do with galvanized steel?
hmm maybe i was thinking stainless and electrolosis.

[68bowtie]

i'm not an expert on body work, but i would be hesitant to weld galvanized to bare steel. the properties are different and it could create poor welds or cracking. that and those fumes are no joke, don't mess with them.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by JointTech

i went to the metal store to get some stock to patch some holes here and there. I got 20gauge galvanized sheet. I couldnt find any non galvanized other than stainless or aluminum.

is it ok to use this? I thought I remembered something about it being dangerous to weld on galvanized?

The Galvanizing coating contains Lead and Zinc. The heat from a welder releases Zinc as Zinc Oxide but the lead is released as Lead Oxide and it as a very toxic gas. Just a little dab will do ya so, no. Welding galvanized metal is not only dangerous, it will shorten your life. Considerably.

Find a steel yard and get some 18 Ga cold rolled sheet.

[68Gold/white]

You can weld it. You need to grind the galvanized plating off where it is going to be welded.

I would still look for something else. Try a hardware store. They usually have a rack w/ different sizes and gauges.

[72bowtiestepper]

If you have some old sheet metal laying around, such as fenders or hoods from 60's or 70's vehicles, cut your patches from those. I just patched the bottom of my stepside rear fenders with the top parts of old 72 front fenders that had good metal on the top (the bottoms were too far gone to repair). the curves matched the rear fenders perfectly.
Stay away from late model sheet metal though...too thin to work with.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

You can weld it.

Nope. Not me. You weld it if you want to but I won't. I won't even grind on it.