Stainless to Mild Steel - Gas

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Hi Everyone,I am working a car project replacing inner rocker panels that have rotted out.I'd like to use 304 to replace the inner.  Due to the geometry, I won't be able to paint the inside once it's welded in, and given I live in the North East, I don't want to do this again!I plan to use 309L filler.   MIG, as these are "spot" welds....and a lot of them!I realize tri-mix is preferred, but this is a one time project, and I don't do any other SS welding to warrant buying another bottle.Would 100% argon work in this situation?  Thanks!JimLast edited by JSGAuto; 07-20-2012 at 06:17 PM.
Reply:I always liked 100% argon. It's a little more expensive and won't have the penetration that the mix gives you...... but for a one time job, it should work good.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Originally Posted by hobohiltonI always liked 100% argon. It's a little more expensive and won't have the penetration that the mix gives you...... but for a one time job, it should work good.
Reply:I also have a bottle of 75/25.....thought the 100% would be better!
Reply:SS and steel don't go very well together,it may rust sooner then steel-steel and SS is not so easy to bend.I would use steel and the c25 you have at hand.oh, and SS wire it's expensive--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Originally Posted by DonoharmSS and steel don't go very well together,it may rust sooner then steel-steel and SS is not so easy to bend.I would use steel and the c25 you have at hand.oh, and SS wire it's expensive
Reply:Gentleman,Thanks much for the replies.  I should have given a bit more background info.-No issues with bending, or fabing the replacement pieces.  I have a full machine shop with a laser cutter and a press brake.  (I know...I'm spoiled!)-I have a Miller 211 MIG, and a  Lincoln 175 Square wave Tig. I'd prefer to use the MIG, but I think my equipment is OK for this job.  (this is my personal machines, there is more fire power at work, if needed)-I have vo-tech and professional welding experience in the prototyping field. Mostly in sheetmetal and tube assemblies.  Mild steel and AL. We do very little SS work. -The car is a uni-body, once the pieces are welded on (to the floor board) there is no access to the back of it. Maybe I should abandon the SS idea and go go back to mild steel.  Do paints exist that can take some heat of a spot weld?  So that I can paint the back, weld on, then paint the front?Thanks much for the discussion!Jim
Reply:Jsg they make inner panel coatings, when you are finished welding the Panels up you can take and drill a small hole and use the inner panel coating with supplied wand and spray the inside. Eastwood carries a couple types, I'll see if I can find the link, also before welding the pieces together you could always use a "weld through primer" or zinc enriched primer.Miller bobcat 225g  - spoolmatic 1Mm250 - 30a spoolMiller spectrum 375Thermal arc 95 Everlast Ex 250As the boiler turns, these are the days of our lives
Reply:http://www.eastwood.com/ew-anti-rust...zle-amber.htmlMiller bobcat 225g  - spoolmatic 1Mm250 - 30a spoolMiller spectrum 375Thermal arc 95 Everlast Ex 250As the boiler turns, these are the days of our lives
Reply:Stainless, spot welding, on a unibody car is asking for cracked welds and separation.I would go with the standard steel (maybe a tad thicker than the original) and spot weld/stitch weld as needed. Then when the rocker is all together and done drill a 3/8" hole at the rear or front of the boxed in rocker. You mentioned you have access to the machine shop, turn up a little 1/4" nozzle with 4 or more sideways facing holes, stick it on the end of a 1/4" tube, stick tube in the 3/8" hole all the way to the opposite end of the rocker panel, (I use a pesticide sprayer) pull the trigger and deposit whatever sealer of your choice inside of the boxed rocker. Pull the tube out slowly while holding down the sprayer trigger and wha-la the entire inside of the rocker is coated. Use a rubber plug in the 3/8" hole and all done.http://www.eastwood.com/rustproofing...ng-system.html