25 replies to this topic

[DiscoDarren]

My first restoration is well underway, it won't be long before some shiny new bits of metal arrive. This question is two fold really. Firstly, which brand of weld able zinc primer do you guys recommend? Also with regard to the new panels. Am I right to sand through the black paint on the areas to be welded, then zinc them up? This is what I've done before, I assume the paint they use is not conductive and needs to come off where it's going to be welded. But can the rest of the new panel be left in the manufacturers black paint and be painted over? Hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance.......Darren

[henri1972]

halfords sell upol  or own brand  any paint supplier sells it  as for the e coat ie black primer people on here use thinners and remove it all if it does not come off leave it on and clean where you are going to weld

[Ben_O]

Hi Darren

 

Genuine heritage panels have an e-coat on them which in theory is very good and doesn't need to be removed apart from where you intend to weld, however some people find that there are imperfections in the metal under the e-coat and even rust so if in doubt, remove it.

 

Non genuine panels do not have an e-coat and are just painted black so it will need to be removed. It can flake off over time so not good for protecting from rust.

 

The best way to tell if you are not sure is to wipe the panel over with some thinners. If it is e-coat it will not come off whereas black paint will.

 

As for zinc primers, there are so many to choose from but the one i use is from eBay  and i find it very good and it's reasonable priced too.

 

It is called SAS and here is the link. http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c3aca3de5

 

Bilt hamber do one too which is supposed to be excellent and comes in tins which must be applied with a spray gun or aerosoles too i think.

 

I think it is down to what comes recommended but look for one that has a high zinc content.

 

Ben 

[DiscoDarren]

Thanks for that guys, I've always wondered the best way to go with the black on new panels. Just ordered some of the SAS stuff Ben and best add a gallon of thinners to the shopping list too. Anyway must put the ipad down and get back out in the garage. :)

[59 Speed]

Wow that SAS stuff is way cheaper than the UPOL stuff that I've been buying!

Just a quick note though about using the weld through primer, I found that when plug welding its best to remove what you can of the primer as it can splatter.

I used a small wire brush mounted in a drill to get rid of it before each spot and the welds were a lot smoother.

Ian

[sonikk4]

I use Upol Zinc rich weldable primer and don't have issues with spatter. Have used it on multiple cars and for ease of use is ideal. having a Halfords trade card helps to keep thing a bit cheaper.

 

And as Ben has said remove all of the paint coat on pattern panels. DO NOT be tempted to spray over it as it has very poor adhesion.

 

As for Heritage panels inspect them closely for spider tracks of rust. A few members on here recently have found some.

[Tamworthbay]

I use the bilthamber stuff, mainly as I ordered a job lot when I got some Dynax. It works very well.

[Stu.]

Ive just finished researching epoxy primers following someones advice on here, and am convinced this would give best protection as long as cereful prep is applied. Zinc rich expoxy primer over all bare metal. Epoxy mastic primer to underside with stonechip over followed by topcoat and epoxy primer to outside of panels before hi build primers and top coats. I did call the epoxy supplier to ask whether their zinc rich primer is ok to weld through and they said it was fine as long as it was not applied too thickly.

[Ben_O]

Wow that SAS stuff is way cheaper than the UPOL stuff that I've been buying!

Just a quick note though about using the weld through primer, I found that when plug welding its best to remove what you can of the primer as it can splatter.

I used a small wire brush mounted in a drill to get rid of it before each spot and the welds were a lot smoother.

Ian

When i was looking for zinc primer i was advised to look for one with a high zinc content.

I looked at the upol gear but i couldn't understand why it was so expensive so opted for the SAS one to try, and have gone back again and again to buy more as i find it very good.

 

Ben

[DiscoDarren]

If my supply of sas gets here before the weekend I might have time to strike up the mig and give it a go. I need all the practice I can get with my welding. I've got a much better mig than the last time I did any car panels. Might take a bit of setting up tho. Been using it tonight to make a dj booth for the disco and i must say it was a pleasure to use. Saved myself about £300 making my own and got a bit of welding practice in too. £300 quid to divert into the mini fund. Lol

I think I read your thread last night stu about the epoxy. I can see the benefits......painting my mini is going to be another challenge, might be a little while yet tho. I'm more accustomed to a 9" roller and a bucket of dulux, being a painter by trade. I have sprayed a bit of celly before tho, but only bodging the back doors and wings on our old transit disco van.

[Ben_O]

Good to hear Darren.

 

as Ian mentioned above, if you are mig plugging panel flanges together then it pays to remove the primer where you weld to make a cleaner weld. 

So where you drill a series of holes through the flange on the panel you are going to fit, spray the zinc on the underside of that flange and onto the flange you are going to weld to. Then clamp the panel in place and you will see the zinc on the flange through the holes you have drilled, well just scrape the zinc off through the holes back to bare metal.

 

You can weld through it but only if you apply the zinc lightly but i like to put it on in several coats to get a nice amount on. Then once you have welded, you can force zinc into the seam for a bit more coverage.

 

Ben

[DiscoDarren]

Good to hear Darren.
 
as Ian mentioned above, if you are mig plugging panel flanges together then it pays to remove the primer where you weld to make a cleaner weld. 
So where you drill a series of holes through the flange on the panel you are going to fit, spray the zinc on the underside of that flange and onto the flange you are going to weld to. Then clamp the panel in place and you will see the zinc on the flange through the holes you have drilled, well just scrape the zinc off through the holes back to bare metal.
 
You can weld through it but only if you apply the zinc lightly but i like to put it on in several coats to get a nice amount on. Then once you have welded, you can force zinc into the seam for a bit more coverage.
 
Ben

Yep, that sounds good. Just got home and it looks like the posty has tried to deliver my zinc primer but needs a signature. Off to the post office I go.......I think I've got a really small wire brush to go in the drill (looks more like a dentists tool then anything). I might give that a try to clean up through the plug holes, scrape with an old screwdriver if not. I might even have the chance to borrow a proper spot welder tho. I've been doing some work at a small engineering firm and the supervisor offered to help if I was struggling on anything and also mentioned about the spot welder. Think he'd love to do a restro himself but hasn't got the space at home - he was jealous when I told him about my mini and my girlfriends classic beetle

Not actually quite ready to launch into the welding yet. I've had a few unexpected bills arrive this week so I've not been able to get my panels yet. Plus I'm still a bit unsure what to do about the inner sills/floor with regard to replacement panels. Think i will take some pictures and start a new thread to get some advice.

Thanks once again to you all for pointing me In the right direction and your excellent step by step instructions.

Cheers Darren

[henri1972]

if you buy the m-machine inner sill to first groove 37.80 a side fit well just the front foot well needs tweaking i am fitting these on mine 

http://www.m-machine.co.uk/

[DiscoDarren]

if you buy the m-machine inner sill to first groove 37.80 a side fit well just the front foot well needs tweaking i am fitting these on mine 
http://www.m-machine.co.uk/

I've just put a picture up on a new thread I've started. If you've got time to look would appreciate it. That m machine panel sounds about righy

[Stu.]

Be mindful about the electricity draw when using a spot welder. Ive never used one myself but I know the pull a lot of amps.