My First Weld Repair

[@trevorrollin5771]

Exactly where mines going ,think I could have a blast at that cheers jeol ,practice makes perfect 👌

[@JoelsStuff]

Good luck!

[@JackAlexBeeley18]

Just a bit cold mate that's all, two options turn the feed of the wire down or turn the heat up. For that sill section I'd say turn the wire feed down and you'll hear it sounds much better and the weld wont be as cold as there's more heat into less wire

[@CalmeRyowl]

I just recently bought myself a welder too. a cheap flux core one from lidl. I plan remake my campervans bed from box section rather than wood. Now, im clearly not in a position to give you much advice as im only learning myself but I would say you probably need to turn up the power on the welder and maybe the feed speed.

[@projectt4587]

Well done mate, 12 out of 10 for that. Along with the advise that you’ve had make sure you weld to clean solid metal. Great effort and loved watching you do that 👍🏻

[@JoelsStuff]

Thanks mate 😊

[@flamefinger1989]

Again mate get some more heat into it. I have no doubt the repair you've done will hold. Have a google of "cold mig welds" thats what you've got there but well done on your first repair!

[@JoelsStuff]

Thanks! I’ve got plenty of spare time so I might even get that paint off and add some more hot welds onto it

[@Xib_]

What paint are you using? Fighting rust on a T4 is ongoing. I've started buzzing back to clean metal, painting with "Mipa Rostversiegelung" (corrosion sealer), and then painting with an epoxy primer. Then using something like Epoxy Mastic 121 as the paint, then a top coat.

[@JoelsStuff]

Hi Marc. I have been using Hammerite products (kurust and “direct to rust” paint) mostly. I don’t know how well it will last. Your method is probably better than mine

[@Paratath]

Exactly the same boat as you Joel, am about to start doing some welding on my T4. My sliding door bottom area also rotted out. Did you disconnect the vans battery etc? I'm a bit aprehensive as im going to be welding in the driver and passenger step area, so its close to front end electrics. Worth taking the plastic steps out and checking your own van there, a lot of T4s seem to go in that spot.

[@JoelsStuff]

Hey. I’ve had both steps done already by a professional last year. The official advice is to disconnect the battery and remove the fuel tank, but I did loads of welding without bothering to do either of those. As long as you place the grounding clamp in a nearby spot so that the path of the electricity only goes through the chassis then you are fine. Good luck!

[@Paratath]

@@JoelsStuff Cheers Joel, watching your videos has been quite inspirational to me. Especially that rear wheelarch area, what a ngithmare eh? Sary stuff when you cut it all out like that. Well played tho ;)

[@JoelsStuff]

Thank you! It does get intimidating when you are in the deep of it, but looking back it wasn’t too bad at all. It just takes a lot of time and effort. Good luck!