well i've come to realize the targa top FC isnt worth the hassle anymore, and i'm going to weld the sunroof section back in. i'm goign to cut the missing piece of the roof from my parts car and graft it back on. What do i have to do to be able to weld on the 7? I know HOW to weld , but what should i remove? Do i have to completely empty the gas tank, pull fuses what?

- Jared

 

Have you welded before on material as thin as what you'll be finding in that area?

 

in all honesty no, i was just going to tack one spot at a time alternating sides until its done, to keep the heat down and prevent warping. i figure i should be good on the lowest setting on arc or mig. never done tig so i'm not even going to try, i do plan on using a bit of bondo once this is in . . .
- Jared

 

so far this is my list of materials, tools and supplies:

welder (arc or wire feed)
electrodes or wire
gloves
visor
magnet holders
bondo
primer, paint

i think i might have to notch my rollcage to fit the sunroof motor back in . . . and i dont care.

 

any tips would be great

list of things i know i'll need
welder
electrodes or wire
gloves, vizor
bondo
primer and repaint section . . .
magnet

 

just make sure the ecu is unplugged every thing else will be fine. dont just unplug the fuses to the ecu actually take it out of the car. and welding that thin stuff wont be to hard you just might have to grind more then normal if you arent to experienced with it.

oh and please dont use an ARC welder on it. use a wire feed with some argon gas. i know its more expensive but in my opinion its well worth it. when it comes down to it ANY kind of gas is better then none so at least go for the CO2.

ARC is mainly for thick industrial kinda things.

 

There's nothing wrong with using flux-core, just remember to reverse the polarity on the welder. The work needs to be positive and the gun negative when using flux core.

Also if you have any kind of metal billet with a flat side on it (that fits in your hand) laying around you can clamp it to the body near where you are welding and it will act like a heat sink, sucking up heat to prevent warpage. This won't give you a pass to go nuts in one area for a long time but it's insurance against warping from not being careful enough.

 

Fire extinguisher!! You never know what might happen. I know I have gone far too long without one of these around while welding. "hey whats taht smell?" . . ."oh ****" It happens LOL

 

Why you getting rid of the targa? Got any close ups of it?

 

Spot/Glazing Putty
I personally HATE flux core...shielding gas all the way
What size wire will you be using?
Make sure the area's being welded are VERY CLEAN
1 thing i did when welding super thin material was place a copper plate behind the surface to help keep it from burning thru (the copper will help disperse the heat and won't stick to the weld)
Grinder (i prefer the small pneumatic air sanders the 1 1/2" or 2" w/e size they are orbital sanders to grind down welds)
Flapper disks
Keep your heat as low as possible
If you can't touch the area to be welded with your bare hand then let it cool off more.


I don't remember exactly but shouldn't he start from the center and work out?