Seeking advice about welding sheet metal to gate

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I have a steel gate that I am trying to make more opaque (see picture).  I'm planning on welding some perforated sheet metal to it.  Looking for ideas and advice on how to do it. I want some light to come through and for the wind to blow through a little.  Each half of the gate is about 5 feet tall by 4 feet wide.  So I will need lap spot/plug weld the sheetmetal since I can't get one continuous piece.   The only perforated sheet metal that I can source locally is 16 gauge or 24 gauge, wth 3/32 holes.  16 seems too thick to me, and 24 seems to thin, but that is all I can get.  I'm thinking that I will go with the 24 gauge.  I have a plasma cutter and welder, and I'm reasonably handy.  I was going to use my plasma cutter and trace the arch to get the top piece of sheet metal cut correctly.  Then I was thinking about using my small mig welder to tack/spot weld the sheet metal onto the frame of the gate.  I would probably use welding primer under the seems to make sure rust didn't run through.  I wonder if I need to back the sheetmetal with some tube or bar stock to stop any warping.    Is 24 gauge too thin?  Will it warp or wrinkle?  Do I need to use some type of backing to prevent the sheet metal from warping?  When I tack the 24 gauge to the frame, is every 6 inches adequate?  Any tips on tacking the 24 gauge to the frame?  Any ideas or thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
Reply:Can you use pop rivits or tek screws? If you were to tig weld it on you would have to clean the insides of those small holes which would be a pain.
Reply:Is that gate made out of square tube? If so I would limit the amount of welding to it.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I would think about using automotive panel adhesive. Mike
Reply:Rivets might be a good way to go. That's a good suggestion.The frame of the gate is 1 1/4" square tube.  I would estimate its probably 16 or 14 gauge, but don't know for sure.
Reply:Square tube is very reactive to heat. A lot of tack welds, and you just might have a huge mess, warpage wise!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Personally, I think that ordinary perforated will cheapen the look of those gates. That looks like a pretty nice neighborhood.I know this stuff in the following link isn't cheap, but my thoughts on such projects is...if you're going to go through all the work that a particular project takes, it would suck if you didn't like the final product. Then, you'd either hate looking at it every day, or end up re-doing it. There goes the budget. I'd just as soon spend the extra money up front for something I know that I'd like.Anyway, I'd consider something nicer, like these products...http://www.mcnichols.com/designerRichLast edited by steelsurgeon; 07-09-2015 at 09:19 PM.
Reply:Tac that sheet on in the wrong sequence and the sheet could easily become the bow string that arches the bow. "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:3/32" holes aren't going to let much light or wind thru.                                           MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I like the idea of the panel adhesive.  My point is to make it difficult for people to see past the gate.  Our kids play behind the gate, and the neighbors are complaining about the kids playing and their toys.  (Yes, HOAs have their downsides.)
Reply:I don't think panel adhesive will work well with a small perimeter and big surface area. Steel rivits about 4-5" apart would be solid on that 24 gauge. Keep in mind tho that you are going to have a huge windload on that gate, and your framing may not be enough.
Reply:Originally Posted by ro345I like the idea of the panel adhesive.  My point is to make it difficult for people to see past the gate.  Our kids play behind the gate, and the neighbors are complaining about the kids playing and their toys.  (Yes, HOAs have their downsides.)
Reply:Complaining about kids playing with toys????Go get some old carpet out of a dumpster and drape it over the gate.......good lord....complaining about kids playing Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Oh boy wait till lil Jimmy starts playing a trumpet in the band!I wouldn't make anything permanent.  Maybe something you could hang / tie / velcro to it like mesh awning material.   Hopefully you will get new neighbors someday, or someone will remove the stick from their butts.
Reply:3M VHB tape is awesome stuff.  Stick to clean metal and you will have a helluva time getting it off.  Personnally, I think you should cover the gate with thousands of white and black googly eyes that jiggle when the wind blows.
Reply:Yep, its pretty irritating.  Literally, there are people patrolling the neighborhood with clipboards looking for infringement.  One of my neighbors got cited for "cobwebs".   I may have to investigate that vhb tape.  Looks interesting.
Reply:Oh my god you have to get out of that.  Cut your losses and come join us in the land of the free.  Children should not have to grow up learning they must cow to the whims of the busy bodies. Even in CA, there are places where a man is free to build roller coasters in his front yard.  Roller friggin coasters man!