18 or 20 Gauge for patch panels?

[cutsham]

Searched through a few resto threads and have heard varying answers. Need to patch some areas of the floor, along with an area along the trunk weatherstripping.

Don't have a caliper handy to measure panel thickness. The floor shouldn't matter but what gauge are the body panels?

Thanks!

[D.Martijn]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the floor and body itself is made from 0,8mm so 22 gauge. You obviously can use 1mm too to make patch panels out of

[cutsham]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the floor and body itself is made from 0,8mm so 22 gauge. You obviously can use 1mm too to make patch panels out of

Ahh cool thanks! Going to grab a set of calipers anyway and measure the thickness exactly. I'll post my findings!

[rturbo 930]

Whatever thickness you are replacing, that's what you use. I don't recall exactly why, but basically has to do with heat when welding it in, and also if you have to form it, thicker metal may form differently, especially in tight bends.

[tomstin]

I used 20ga from Eastwood. Being new to welding, those Aluminized panels need to be real clean before welding them in. Took me awhile to figure that out! To say I welded replacement panels into my floor is a bit of a stretch, I installed patch panels with a welder! I learned a lot along the way...

Add some POR 15 and seam sealer and we're good.