How To Repair Sheet Metal

Place the repair sheet metal.

How to repair sheet metal.

After the sheet metal patch has been cut and fit to size round the corners of the patch with a file or emery cloth to prevent any sharp corners from becoming a catching spot for snow or ice. Mark the dimensions and shape using a metal. Cut the sheet metal along the scribed lines using metal shears or a handheld rotary cutting tool equipped with a. Lay the removed section on a piece of fresh steel and trace the outline.

Cut the chosen sheet metal to a size that matches the area to be patched. Lower your face shield and thoroughly clean the metal. The complexity of welding increases as the thickness of the material decreases. Sheet metal is a huge part of any hotrod build or autobody repair.

The welding process actually adds new steel to the thin steel and can result in a repaired spot that is stronger than the original metal. This should be the result with the bad part of the panel removed. Make sure not to cut through the underlying metal. Using lineman s pliers the plug is cut to shape slowly snipping into a circle.

The sheet metal patch should overlap onto the metal panel at least 2 inches past the edges of the damaged area. For thicker sheet metal an old copper penny might be a quick source of material. When i got to where it fit i pressed it into the hole using the same pliers. After slicing the patches out with a cutoff wheel next came the bending hammer and dolly session until the patches matched the holes and fit snug and flush into the flanged seat.

Here is a tutorial how to video that show. You can then cut. How to repair sheet metal 1. I then used the templates to trace out the patch panels on some sheet metal.

Don your safety glasses face shield and leather work gloves. The metal needs to be shiny and free of corrosion and. The first thing to do is carefully cut away the rusted out area. I used a piece of pvc pipe a vice mount miniature metal break and body hammer kit.

Attach the wire wheel to the 4 inch grinder. Whether you re fixing a dent rust hail etc.