sources for steel sheets

[k76]

Hi,

I'm having a hard time finding steel for some rustrepairs on my Alfetta GTV. I measured the steel to be about 1mm thick, can anyone confirm that?

Anyway, I only seem to find 1.6mm black steel, or 1mm if I go with galvanized. I've tried both steel retailers who only sell full-sized sheets, and sheet metal fabricators. Anyone know where else to try? I'm in Newcastle.

Kris

[maxludo]

Gday mate
Ive started a car restoration class down here in Sydney. See: St george community college.
It's run by an old panel beating chain smoking veteran who really knows his stuff.
He provides all the sheet metal and materials we need for rust repairs for a small fee at the start of the term (20).

He did say where to get sheet metal supplies but ive forgotten the name. Ive got the class tonight so i'll ask him again. he did mention that it only comes in big sheets though.

He said that using 1.2mm gauge is the best as its not too thick and not too thin. .8mm is the standard gauge apparently. When doing rust repairs its best to use something thicker as the metal will distort with the heat from the welder if its too thin. 1.2mm seems like the best compromise.

Try truelocal.com.au and put in metal supplies or sheet metal suppliers or something similar. Iam sure thered be somewhere in newcastle.

Good luck and investigate joining the class. its cheap (160 for 8 lessons) and its invaluable to have the advice of someone who really knows their stuff.

cheers
max

[k76]

Thanks Max, 1.2mm sounds like the way to go. There's a hot-rod shop just around the corner from my work, had a chat to them during my lunch break. Apparently people are using galv steel a lot these days, but he said black steel was much better to weld.

The classes are interesting, but too much of a drive for me from Newcastle. I actually did a 1 week welding course about 10 years ago, I'm hoping I haven't forgot all of it. I just tried my welder on some scraps yesterday, the results were better than expected(but not brilliant by any means). It will be interesting to see how I go when I start on the car.

Kris

[maxludo]

Galvanised isnt a bad idea really. Apart from the difference in price.

Iam still trying to get hold of some good rust preventative stuff to go in the sills and wherever else won't be painted. Do you know of anything worth while?
Cheers

[k76]

I'm painting with POR-15 where I have access after I weld and weld thru primer where I have to weld after painting. I plan to use fish oil anywhere else, especially the sills and the a-pillars

[maxludo]

Yeah POR 15 is good stuff, accessibly price too. For us aussies its the only thing available unless we get eastwood by mail order which is very expensive.

Where have you found to be hte best place to get weld thru primer and fish oil etc? Iam having troubles finding anywhere to get retail quantities.
I'll let you know tomorrow where you can get sheet metal
Cheers

[KACK]

hi guys not sure if it helps but I got some already pressed rust repair sections for my 79 alfetta gtv from highwood alfa in uk and cheap as chips too.

Cheers

Meizhak

[k76]

Max,

I get the weld thru primer from same source as POR-15, Hunter Paint centre in broadmeadow. Haven't bought fish oil yet, but pretty sure I've seen it on the shelves at supercheap auto.

Meizhak,

I know about Highwood got some sections, and I may get some later on. But I'd figured I get the bits where no sections are available done first, and see how good I get at cutting and shaping. The only bit I really wanted a panel for is out of production, the lower panel behind the rear wheels.

Kris

[maxludo]

Gday K76.
Apparently a steel supplier called 'Edsons' will have 1.2mm that you're after. There are a few yards around NSW too apparently.
Good luck with your search.
and i believe we havnt yet seen any photos of this Alfetta!
Start a new resto project thread and show us your progress.
Regs

[k76]

Thanks Max, I'll check it out. I've got another local lead that I'm checking out tomorrow too.

I was planning to start a thread about the restoration, but I haven't taken a lot of photos yet. I should get it going soon

[k76]

Just a quick update: I managed to get my hands on some 1.0mm zincanneal through a sheetmetal shop. It seems zincanneal is all you can get once you go thinner than 1.6mm. Welding it seems ok, after I tweaked my settings a bit. I got the feeling it was harder to penetrate the zinc, with my initial settings it had a tendency to accumulate material in droplets on top of the sheet without any penetration.

[maxludo]

Thanks for the update. I've never heard of zinanneal (not that that means anything). Are you MIG welding?
Iam going to need a big sheet for hte work i plan to do over summer. I'll look into zincanneal also.
Cheers