Wire for bodywork

[jlmclean]

I read an article some time back about what wire to use for bodywork but now that I need it, I'm unable to locate it. I plan to use a .023 wire but I need to know what type to use that will grind down easy and flat with the sheet metal (a good soft weld). I would appreciate some info on this and any other helpful hints from some of you body shop welders.
Thanks

[MAC702]

ESAB EasyGrind.

Also, Harris has a wire called "Twenty Gauge," which is a cored wire, but designed for thinner materials. I don't know about its ease of grinding or autobody work, though.

[yorkiepap]

Hey jlm,
I use ER70S-6 (.023) for all the pan and panel work I do on the classic cars. I do panel work on 4-10 classics each year. I use only the name brand wires and stay away from the Chinese wire. I use a Miller Sidekick 90A MIG and C25(75%Argon/25%CO2) at 15cfh inside and 22-25cfh outside. You will get the best results by tilting your MIG torch at a 45deg. angle to flatten the puddle and I use 1/8" thick aluminum backing strips to avoid burnthru. Tacking every 2-3" with the backing strip will reduce any warping. It takes practice on scrap to get your heat/wf settings optimal, but once you get the "feel" of the puddle on the thin panels, you will have no problems. CLEAN metal!!! Take your time....Good Luck....Denny

[aametalmaster]

I use .023 silcone bronze and 100% argon gas. The wire uses less heat than steel and grinds easy...Bob

[iamaweldingmachine]

hi, i just started working in a shop repairing classic cars, i have a backround in much thicker steel so very interested in this thread, i saw mention of using ali backing strips to prevent blowthrough so gonna give that a go. they don't like lap joints and i gotta make it look like it's not been welded. can use mig and tig. didn't even know there were different types of wire! i need to look into that more. working on xk jags so pretty expensive cars i'm working on!

[iamaweldingmachine]

xk jags are all steel apart from the bonnet and boot lid. or hood and trunk depending on where your from :) .

[iamaweldingmachine]

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/1303rwasser/DSC00565.jpg
here's a pic, just so know what i'm on about.

[iamaweldingmachine]

bug eyed sprite!? lol. ok so here's one i made earlier

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/1303rwasser/xk120.jpg

[Rick V]

Wow - that is some before/after comparison photo!!
(Yeah, I know it's not the same car.)
The 1st photo did look "like a bug-eyed Sprite"
The second photo - well I can see the lineage from the e-type XK.
Amazing what real wire wheels can do!

Rick V