MIG welding near painted surface

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Basic question from a welding newcomer.  I have a piece of bodywork with original paint and I want to repair a small split, but want to keep as much of the original paint as possible.  I"m obviously going to remove paint around the split, but what do you suggest in terms of the grounding clamp?  Should I remove paint for this too?  Entire piece is painted.
Reply:Yes, make a clean patch of bare metal for the ground clamp.  Otherwise you'll have troubles with erratic arc and making a quality weld repair.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doYes, make a clean patch of bare metal for the ground clamp.  Otherwise you'll have troubles with erratic arc and making a quality weld repair.
Reply:One side should be sufficient. Take a close look at your clamp. Some have a plate on one or both jaws the lead connects directly to. You should try to be sure that makes contact with clean bare metal well. On some cheap clamps, there's no plate or pad, the lead just bolts to the metal clamp. On one of those I'd get the lead on the clean side, but you may have to clean both sides or fiddle a bit to get a good ground..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan