Sheet metal thickness.

[Chlngrcrzy]

  Okay guys i know someone has asked about this before, but what gauge or thickness do ya all use to do sheet metal repairs, particularly the roof?

I have a peice of 20 gauge but it seems awfully thin. Its real easy to bend and form but seems too thin.
I am getting ready to start patching on my rusty roof and need to get something picked up soon, before the holidays. Now you all know what i will be doing for the holidays.

[Chryco Psycho]

16 guage woul dbe as thin as I would use , but i am far from a body guy

[Lunchbox]

I have used 20 and 22 gauge on my firewall and cowl. It all depends where the metal is located. I would invest into a cailper or micrometer so you can match the thickness. Reason being if you are trying to weld together two different thicknesses one will be higher then the other which might become a nightmare when it comes to grinding. Also to get proper penatration of the weld your welder may need to be set hotter for the thicker side which may cause burn throughs on the thinner side. Then if you turn it down so you aren't burning through the thinner metal you might have a cold weld on the thicker side which you will find when you grind.

These are all leassons I have learned the hard way 

Lunch

[71bigblock]

18 guage is the guage that was original in my truck that I was working on.  I replaced it with sheet metal from a donor hood from the same truck.  18 seems about right, not too thick or thin. 

[Skeletoil]

I wouldn't worry about the metal thickness. You will take car of your car 20 times better than we did when they were daily drivers. Also the paints are much better now than years ago.

[Topcat]

I wouldn't worry about the metal thickness. You will take car of your car 20 times better than we did when they were daily drivers. Also the paints are much better now than years ago.

He took care of the problem....for good.

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