What metal is best for Automotive Welding? (patching up rust spots)?

Hi,


I have a 79 Corvette I just picked up, and blew the motor within the first week with less then 2 hours of drive time.





All we need right now is a couple more things disconnected and we're ready to pull it out.


While taking everything we need to off I've noticed way to much rust and would like to grind/cut away rust from things (like my radiator mount for example) and patch them up/reinforce.





I'm not familiar with welding, I do get the concept and I would practice a bit first before attempting anything, but my Father has some experience and he can always tackle it if I can't. I would just like to know what is best to use for such a project?





One day I would like to restore the chassis but time, space, money, are all issues. Thus I'd like to treat what I can get at while I have the time and oppertunity|||You can order the replacement parts for the brackets that attach to the frame from many Corvette suppliers or even the dealer still Make sure that you or your father don't cut anything structural and if you do make sure that its welded level and straight.|||im not sure when the corvette went over to carbon fiber body panels but if it is still metal you can just use regular sheet metal (steel)|||you can weld in metal -but if it were me I would look on some of the Corvette forums-sites- and Hemmings Motors news (buy at local news stand)and find the parts to replace-then you still have a Corvette not a cobbled together piece--the parts are not wretchedly expensive and bolt in --if you have frame rust then you seriously need to think before driving--don't want to have frame let down at speed--there are always Corvettes being sold for parts/wrecked/burned, etc--just have to look around


as far as welding do you REALLY want to trust your life and the people around you on the highway to a "I practiced first " welding job?? welders have experience at doing that and usually have to be certified especially at patching frames|||The best metal for automotive welding is the free stuff, lol.





Hey as long as it is not rusty, is the same size as the base metal, slightly bigger is probably better you will be right.





It might be a good idea to use some zinc sheet, just clean up the edges first before you weld and the zinc coating will help protect it later on.





Make sure when you do it that you cut the metal and bend it to fit as best a possible. A better fitting joint will weld a 1000 times easier than one with big 1/4 gaps etc.





http://www.learn-how-to-weld.com/mig-wel鈥?/a>





This page has a video on how you can weld thin steel with the mig welder.


http://www.learn-how-to-weld.com/mig-wel鈥?/a>