MIG welding coaching needed

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I am doing a VW Syncro Westy conversion.  Used a Blair spot weld cutting tool to get the tops off.  Gotta love that tool I bought a small 110v MIG welder and have both .030 and .035 flux core wire and the tips to match.  I have never welded but figured 'this can't be rocket science'.    The plan was to weld the top off the syncro to the donor van for practice and surely this would have me dialed in to do the Syncro.  WRONG!!   My welds are a mess even after practicing by going down the rain gutters on both sides.Could someone give me a little coaching that might help me get my welding up to snuff.  What is the trick?  The little MIG I have has a Min. and Max. temp settings and an adjustment for the wire feed speed.  I used the high temp as it seemed to work better.  What is the best wire feed speed I should use?  What temp setting is best and how far away from the metal should I be holding the tip?  I guess the amount of wire I should have expose relates to how far I should be holding the tip from the metal being welded....how much wire?  Thank you in advance for any help
Reply:For bodywork, you really need to use gas, and .023 wire. But if you must continue to try, practice FIRST on some sheetmetal scrap. Rain gutter comes to mind... just get some 24ga. sheet and practice 'till the cows come home. Don't destroy the project vehicle trying to save a few bucks.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:I will try to help.  First, the amount of wire between the end of the contact tip and piece is Stickout.  I would say 3/8 to 3/4, what ever works for you.  Since you have 2 settings, try both.  The two settings are for volts.  Your wire speed is "amps".  Set the welder on low, use the .030 wire.  Get a piece of scrap.   Run a bead. Change the wire speed until you get a nice smooth arc.  Too fast and it will burn through or "stub" into the plate.  Slow it down.  Too slow and you will have a long arc.   Then try your hotter setting the same way.Skip the out of position stuff until you master flat.Lemmeknow how it works.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks you guys.  I'll give it another try and practice, practice, practice.  I guess the gas mig would have been a better purchase, but I will have to make do with the flux/wire mig.I'm off and running