Welding advice, Can a cheap flux welder do what I need? Options

[Deusexmachina77]

I have to weld in a new front trunk pan replacing the hole left from an AC unit. I have taken two MIG classes. Beside being a newbie, I have other limitations to consider.

I don’t have access to a 220 line.
I’m inexperienced.
It would cost me $1000 to have it professionally done. And I don’t want to buy a bunch of equipment for one job.

Can I use a flux welder? There a couple cheap units at Harbor Freight (under $150) on sale right now. What don’t I know that I should know?

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Agree - don’t thin metal by grinding too much

Seam sealer is the next step. The spray on type will mask the remaining weld bead and will look relatively OEM. Brush on will work in a pinch but won’t look quite as nice.

Here’s a temporary repair to mine. I have a full panel to do the replacement but needed a quick temporary fix when I was moving the car cross country.

Seam sealed



Painted



Not sure what you mean by seam sealer would defeat the purpose of the work.

The butt weld is to prevent moisture from collecting between panels like a lap weld. You did a great job with your weld!

The seal sealer is to prevent moisture from getting into weld. Same as OEM. But if it should get cracked, scratched, etc., there won’t be a lap to allow moisture to collect and rust.

If the goal is to make the repair completely invisible - that will be much tougher to achieve. Bondo could be used, but a good eye (or paint gauge) will still pick up that the area has been repaired. Due to all the stamping formation complexity, it will be tough to get filler to match all the formations perfectly and will be very time consuming.

[friethmiller]

Due to all the stamping formation complexity, it will be tough to get filler to match all the formations perfectly and will be very time consuming.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Using seam sealer will keep the moisture out of the weld line. And going further will require more time. Again, it depends what you want it to look like at the end.