Beginner group needs direction for welding repairs

[FakePinkGuy]

We're friends who recently got into restoring mini vans and are tackling our first big project together. We bought one with some rust issues and decided to do the repairs ourselves. We just picked up a SIP 105 DP Turbo welder and wonder if it's powerful enough to handle the job. Most recommendations we've seen mention welders with 130 amps or more, but we're still figuring out how all this works.

We're also trying to understand the steps after welding. From what we've read, grinding seems to be the next move for smoothing exterior welds, but what comes after that? Should we apply something to prevent rust or use specific tools to smooth the surface? Any advice or suggestions would be super helpful as we work through this as a team.

 

[rustlero]

@FakePinkGuy, you've got a SIP 105 DP Turbo; might as well weld dreams together, but it might struggle for thicker metal—look for 130 amps. After welding, grind those welds smooth and apply a rust inhibitor to keep the van's resurrection rust-free, then admire your handiwork.

 

[d_psychologist]

that SIP 105 for thin sheet metal, it should work if you keep heat low. and when youre done grinding, hit it with etching primer, seam sealer, then epoxy primer to keep rust away. Maybe some filler if you want it looking perfect before paint. Rust never quits, so prep is key

 

[wolf friend]

that SIP 105 for thin sheet metal, it should work if you keep heat low. and when youre done grinding, hit it with etching primer, seam sealer, then epoxy primer to keep rust away. Maybe some filler if you want it looking perfect before paint. Rust never quits, so prep is key

Thanks for this! but when you say "keep heat low", about how would I know if I'm getting it too hot? and for etching primer, is there a specific brand that you use?

 

[FakePinkGuy]

Your replies are super helpful! Just curious, would adding filler after priming help smooth things out even more before painting?

 

[TeenSpirit]

Thanks for this! but when you say "keep heat low", about how would I know if I'm getting it too hot? and for etching primer, is there a specific brand that you use?

you can reduce heat input to the metal by lowering amperage, increasing travel speed, using heat sinks, and utilizing techniques like pulse welding

 

[FakePinkGuy]

you can reduce heat input to the metal by lowering amperage, increasing travel speed, using heat sinks, and utilizing techniques like pulse welding

Value your advice on heat management! We'll give pulse welding and heat sinks a shot to keep things under control.