Your weld through primer is for the bare steel your going cover over with fresh steel so primer the full area then weld your plate over the top . your steel under your new patch now has protection. you should also spray the back of the repair so the weld wont start to rust or whats the point in doing it in the first place

I would say it’s more for places that you can’t get to once it’s welded in place.

There’s a lot of sense to what you say, we’d like to return them to “new” or better even but the truth is we can’t, it’s a war of attrition, you do a lot of work and from the moment you finish each task the downward slide begins to the next restoration. We can just make it as far off as possible, to do that we do everything we can, but some stuff just won’t fall into can do. I don’t know about weld through primer, I think it might be trying to replace dipping and it’s hard to see how anything can do that. What I do know though is that if you seal something ferrous from the atmosphere, not perfectly sealed it’s remarkable now well it survives. Metal posts and box sections outside, sometimes full of water for long periods and you do something to them after 10 -15 years and are amazed how well they have held up. Sealing is the only thing I can say I’ve seen the evidence of working.

Good points, I think you are correct. I tried the stuff - doesn't affect the quality of my welds, but it does appear to burn-off at the weld itself. I don't use it. Still, honestly, I don't get the reason for all the effort to argue against somebody who wants to use the stuff. It's like $7 a can. Why are people so angry at folks who use it?

On straight sections, go full stainless. It is tougher to bend and somewhat springy, but stronger so you can go higher in gauge. Then use stainless welding wire and you'll have a part De Lorean bug.

All over good point, dont overthink. If I try to repair the floor or other not visible places, I just try to weld it completely and not making much lap-welds or if lap weld is needed, then I make minimum overlap and weld both sides completely, I’m not trying to give underside factory look. That is if you want it to last longer than regular lap-weld. And yes, dont give them oldies winter salt, it will eat it up anyway.

With over 30 years in the collision industry,I can tell you,even some manufacturers recommend, not using weld through primer on repairs.if you have access you can always cavity wax the inside of your panels.I use weld through primer because,I just do, for my own reasons.You don't have to use it,seam sealer and cavity wax,and a good primer sealer will do the trick.Also if you use a flux core welder like a lot of dyi guys do,they don't work great with weld through primer.

Thank you for a common sense approach for restoring cars!

Good talk. I’m getting obsessive on my 03 marauder project. You just gave me some perspective.

Haha it's either the bug or the c7500 everyday 😂 I pick the bug. But thank you for the advice! It's exactly what I was looking for

Mike, great timing for me as you just released this video, i bought a can and really on the fence whether to use it or not. I welcome your views on lots of topics you make videos on and highly agree. Thank you!

SERIOUSLY ....WHY DO YOU BOTHER MAKING THIS VIDEO? What a complete waste of time!!! Jump straight to the comments .....more information there.

The wife and I daily drive our 1977 Beetle. It easy hits 75+ on the highway. It has a Stock EFI 1600 dual port. Disk brakes in the front and Type 3 drums in the back. With little upgrades it works great. I hit it with a mix of grease, oil, and linseed oil under the body twice a year and Linseed oil the top. It keeps the rust at bay. It does not sit in a garage. It drives through puddles and what not. You know they made dune buggies out of these things? Cars are meant to be driven, not kept in castle where plebs can not see them. Old men hogging all the classics and locking them away is what is killing the DIY classic car hobby. Look up Casey Putsch about that.

Nice practical advice for building a car you will drive in good weather and you will enjoy.

I agree. I just put some sealing primer on the two panels and clean the area to be welded.

It's the same with people powder coating everything. It's an unnecessary expense to me.

Thanks Straight Ahead ✌😎

zinc primer is prolly for spot welding then, but copper primer is for mig/tig?

When I'm rotting in my coffin. I want to know, that that torque box repair that I did. Will be around after Pharaoh.

As you say Mike it’s all about money,do people really think that the directors of these big body supply company’s really care about wether their products will preserve your vehicle....of course not,I’m not saying some products don’t work because they do but there are a lot of bs money making shit out there too....Thanks

You do realize they do years of testing to make sure it is a product that works as stated before putting it on the market don't you ? Metal roofs are gauranteed for 50 years before they need repainting and will last forever . Neighbors is 100 years old and still holding strong . Money is no object when restoring a car if you do it properly .

I use fluid film after everything is finished

Stuff always seemed pointless to me. Regardless of primer choice, you're instantly burning it away from the weld zone, so if the thinking is that it's still protecting a hidden interface, well...there's a sucker born every minute. What DOES work for this is in my experience, following all metalwork, is applying a penetrating two-part epoxy pre-primer, eg Devoe 167, then following with a thicker epoxy that will totally fill the interface.

Zinc chromate is sorta what they primed ships with but what ever they primed ships with if they used it on bugs they would not have disapeared so fast . I dont think buses got it at all ????

Great common sense advice Mike. Weld the metal, prime, 2 part seam sealer and paint. It'll last for years

I wish some real,honest man(woman)-of the-people, scientist,engineer type would make a video saying something and showing why this stuff works or why it's just a big hoax money-grab. Someone not on the take from a big paint cooperation like a politician...

agreed

The car scene is way over thought in every aspect these days lol