Super New to Welding...basic question

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I'm doing a small sign fabrication around the house and I would like to use different pieces of 16 gauge metal welded to different parts to provide depth.  Problem I am having is that when I weld the piece to the back of the art, the weld shows through and makes a ripple in the metal when I powder coat it.  If I change to a thicker gauge of metal, say 12 gauge, would this make the weld go away on the front?  I'd like to not have to keep sanding down the powder coat and applying additional coats to hide the weld marks.Thanks!
Reply:Some pics of the problem never hurtsDave 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:If your welding AFTER p.c. then it's burning it. You should weld then p.c.  But yea, pics help.Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk
Reply:I think I understand what you are describing. Welds "pull" when they cool and if something is restrained, chances are it may telegraph thru to the front. The thinner the material on the flat, the bigger the chance something will distort. Weld size also plays a part. You can probably tig weld the material with a really tiny bead and have minimal distortion. Mig or stick on the other hand will be tough because you need to be hot enough to melt the filler wire and get good fusion and on thin sheet, chances are it may give you some distortion. Whether jumping up to 12 ga for the flat will solve your telegraphing issue or not I can't say. It's certainly less likely to distort than 16 ga is, though 14 ga may be thick enough to solve the issue. I don't know of any way other than testing things and see what does or doesn't work.Filler tends to be the bodymans solution to things like this. Bondo these days, lead traditionally. Done well you can get a flawless surface, but I can't say how it will react with something like powder coating since I don't deal with that type of finish..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
Reply:Perhaps braze or solder the pieces, instead of welding?