bodywork welding question

[Kickstarts-suck]

Having my rollpan welded(blended) and tailgate handle shaved and need to know what I should pull the paint off with to have a good welding surface.

I don't know too much about this topic and the guy welding it is just my dads buddy and id like it have it all ready when he comes to weld it.

Thanks. :)

[CJM]

aircraft stripper, but any real commercial stripper would work well.

[Tommy Warren]

just sand it down....

[wilkin250r]

I'm kinda thinking sandpaper, too. I'm not really envisioning this, how big is this area that you're welding?

[Kickstarts-suck]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
I'm kinda thinking sandpaper, too. I'm not really envisioning this, how big is this area that you're welding?

Very small.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2482/001zdt.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/001zdt.jpg/)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6493/002pbw.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/002pbw.jpg/)

(kinda off center but you get the idea.. It was dark lol)
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/6585/004du.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/004du.jpg/)

As you can see its going to be kinda hard to get sandpaper in the little corners of the tailgate handle.

[sly400ex]

As stated above, aircraft stripper will take that paint right off. Its available at your' local paint/ body supply store.

[JBENSON]

Just sand it down to bare metal with 80 grit. I would not weld your roll pan to the bedsides, you will most likely have problems with you bedsides or roll pan cracking beside you welds due to your bed flexing. I know that sounds bumb, but the bed flexes more than you think when your truck gets on a bind. Just my opinion. :)

[wilkin250r]

Aircraft stripper will take the paint off real quick and easy, yes. But you get a drip, overspray, or just wipe it off funny and it strips those areas, too. If you could put it on with a small brush, you could control it much easier, but this is an aerosol spray, it's going to go everywhere.

I'd go with a drill and a scotchbrite paint stripping wheel, it works pretty quick, doesn't scratch too badly and leaves a decent finish.

[Ichoptop]

80 grit on a DA down to bare metal out about 4" from the weld area. That will give you room for ginding and any filler needed.

[Kickstarts-suck]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
Aircraft stripper will take the paint off real quick and easy, yes. But you get a drip, overspray, or just wipe it off funny and it strips those areas, too. If you could put it on with a small brush, you could control it much easier, but this is an aerosol spray, it's going to go everywhere.

I'd go with a drill and a scotchbrite paint stripping wheel, it works pretty quick, doesn't scratch too badly and leaves a decent finish.

Thanks. :) Ill try that. Not really worried about dripping on anything. The whole back of the truck is going to be repainted as well as the tonneau cover.


Originally posted by Ichoptop
80 grit on a DA down to bare metal out about 4" from the weld area. That will give you room for ginding and any filler needed.

Should have mentioned I don't have an air compressor. :(

But thank you for the tips. :)

[lem dad]

grind the area back about 1/4 inch where to weld feater back paint with 180 grit da sander