I have heard that the use of gas less MIGs causes problems with overlaying paint, in that the flux used in the wire will affect the paint either when it is laid down or later through bleed through.

Is there any truth to this?

Can the problem of the flux be mitigated through extensive wire wheeling and cleaning of the finished weld, and if so, how?

cheers

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I am definitely using gas with my panels and other body work.

_________________
It's easy once you know how.

Hi Mick, I have done plenty o f gasless welding with paint over the top with no issues, after welding, if you are not grinding the weld flat, just use an angle grinders with a wire wheel, get the weld shiny, and then prepsol as usual before paint and you will be all good.

_________________
Current 1970 Mini K - full resto happening - finished and on the road since 10/2020
2001 Falcon AUII XL 1 Tonne styleside ute

Mini History
1963 - 850 - wish I still had it
1965 - 850 - was an unfinished project, gone
1972 - Clubbie

I've repaired all my minis with gasless MIG plus all the other things I've made or repaired and I can't say I've ever had a problem with paint adhesion or bubbling, etc... Where it's not aesthetically important I clean up welds with a wire wheel on the grinder and if it is (like on the car) I finish it with a flap wheel on the grinder.

Maybe if you're welding's not up to scratch and you get a porous joint you'll have issues? I didn't bother painting things when I was learning to weld... You know, the whole can't polish a turd thing

Thanks guys, just what I needed to hear. I don't have access to a normal MIG in Canberra, but I don't think I will be needing one as I have a decent gassless one here ready to go.

I've got a stack of small holes to fill (where people have drilled the car for accessories) and also I will need to fill in the filler neck hole for a right hand tank. So some would be inside the engine bay, but the big one would be the filler neck.

I have a spot welder I can use for the front apron job.

If I can find one soon enough, I would also like to get a parcel shelf for an early car.... I have some god-awful speaker holes in this one.

cheers

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.