[Zeke]

I weld 16 ga. with gas, power set on the second to lowest setting, wire speed set on 3 to 3.5 (note, that is not necessarily IPS) with a 1/4' stick out, pushing the weld with the torch back at 20 degrees.

For flux core welding I use DC- or straight polarity and for MIG I use DC+ or reverse polarity. The second method puts less heat into the thin metal while allowing the gas to cool the electrode somewhat. Lower stick out has less resistance therefore lower heat.

Try that and then adjust from there.