MIG or TIG Welding near Painted Surface

Andras · 10-27-2003, 04:03 AM

Does anyone have experience MIG or TIG welding near a painted surface? I need to add some material to a clip in the headlight bucket, but since it is so close to the painted surface, will welding with MIG or TIG ruin the paint? Will it bubble the paint?

Help, please???!!!

sithot · 10-27-2003, 04:08 AM

There is a compound called "Welders Putty" that is supposed to help with heat absorption in areas where you want collateral damage held to a minimum. If the welding is close enought it's not going to matter whether it is Tig or Mig. How close is it?

Tom

Andras · 10-27-2003, 04:38 AM

Hi Tom,

This is the little tab at the top of the headlight bucket, onto which one "clips" the H1 headlight assemly, and then "lowers" the assembly prior to putting the one screw in which holds the entire assembly into the bucket.

However, all 911 headlights are held in this way (at least prior to 993), and I would guess that it is about 1/2 inch away from the top surface of the fender. This tab is part of the bucket, not part of the fender (though they are joined).

Other than welding, how else can one add material to allow the H1 assembly to "hook" to the tab?

sithot · 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andras
Hi Tom,

Other than welding, how else can one add material to allow the H1 assembly to "hook" to the tab?

That's really about it other than some type of one off engineered setup which I can imagine (in my head) would be a major pita to do. Is this a car that is to be shown or is it a beater?
There is an outside chance that you could fabricate a "very small" bent tab and screw it into the area but I would think this would be a last resort.

Tom

Andras · 10-27-2003, 05:36 AM

Tom,

This is an original, bought new at the factory in 1982, 911SC, with metallic paint, which is spotless (always garaged, never hit, and NO door dings).

All the more reason I can't figure out how one headlight bucket tab is worn away, and the other is not. The H1 assembly in that one bucket is tenuous at best. Normally, with a car Bra, it is held in place, but some Regions won't let me run with the Bra, so I remove the headlight and run cool air through the hole in the bucket.

But I would like to enlarge the tab (Viagra won't work, I'm sure!!!!), and I had not thought about srewing a piece onto the bucket. I wouldn't mind something inside the bucket, since it would be hidden by the H1 assembly, but the fender (and the rest of the car) is spotless, so blistering the paint is not an option.

Series900 · 10-27-2003, 05:47 AM

Are you sure the rolled edge of the headlight unit is in good form? If it has been stressed, it may be the lip is deformed and that may be the reason it is not hooking on to the headlamp bucket/fender. Headlamp units can be a bear to mount/dismount. If you need to weld a bit of tabbing to the bucket/fender, grind it absolutley clean, form your piece, drape a wet towel on the fender, and two spots of mig will suffice. heat damage will not transfer to the outer fender, with experinced welding technique.

Andras · 10-27-2003, 06:10 AM

Damon and Tom,

Thanks for your input. I will check with my local fabricator(s), but Tom's and your input have been helpful.

I now think that there may be a way to do this (either welding or screwing an additional "clip extension") without ruining the paint.

Much thanks!!!!!!!!!!!