Why Use a Professional Welder for Your Car Restoration?

Whether you have an antique Model T or a 1988 Mustang, you will probably encounter rust and other metal damage in the course of your restoration work. Rust is the painful result when moisture and air go to work on metal. Out-dated circuits need a rewire, and the interior screams for new upholstery, but did you know you may need the services of a professional welder as well?

Read on to learn why your car restoration will benefit from the help of a professional welder.

A Professional Welder Delivers a Superior Option
Various remedies exist to deal with rust on panels, bumpers, and engine components. Rust must be eradicated in order to prevent its spread and properly treat a surface or engine part. Some car restorers opt to remove rust with abrasive methods like grinding or sanding. Others utilize chemicals that dissolve rust.

Unfortunately, these options are less than desirable because they are time-intensive. Abrasives require patience and physical effort or specialty tools with the right attachments. Chemicals need several applications to remove rust and can still leave a less-than-perfect surface with pockmarks and other flaws that new paint only magnifies.

Rather than try to remove or treat rust, the superior option is to have a professional remove deeply rusted and weakened metal completely. They then replace the old metal with newly welded steel for longevity and strength.

A Professional Welder Negates the Need for Replacement Parts
Vehicle condition and age are closely linked. A very old automobile is more likely to require extensive engine and body reconstruction than its younger counterpart. Vintage and classic cars are no longer in production and you may struggle to find replacement parts for under the hood or on the body. Consider a few possible sources for rare or difficult-to-find parts:

• Junk and salvage yards
• Online forums
• Dealers and auctions
• Aftermarket manufacturers
• Vintage parts suppliers
• Car shows and swap meets
• 3D printing
• Old-school magazines and circulars

When these sources prove to be expensive or a dead end, you may be able to keep the original part and employ a weld repair instead. A good welder can easily repair holes in those solid steel body panels, firmly attach body frame components, strengthen a cracked chassis, and even make a valuable manifold or muffler like new.

A Professional Welder Possesses the Precise Tools and Expertise
Because metals each have distinct properties, different welding methods are better suited for certain welding tasks.

• Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding takes extensive practice and can be pricey and slow but produces a very high structural quality.
• Stick welding is more maneuverable and can withstand drafts and humidity of outdoor work. This method is useful for thick, old, or rusty metal but is not ideal for use on thin metal.
• Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is the most suitable method for car restoration because it can work with different metal types and thicknesses.

Classic and vintage cars contain several different metals throughout the engine, frame, body, and bumpers. A professional welder has the expertise to choose the right method and coax an ideal weld from a range of metals like steel, aluminum, cast iron, and magnesium.

Additionally, a professional has developed the valuable skills and intuition necessary to weld with delicate precision and avoid distortion and worse, accidents. Some weld methods create an abundance of flux and sputtered metal that becomes dangerous during overhead work. High temperatures and sparks can ignite nearby clothing and ancient motor oil.

Professional welders from Sam's Welding, Inc. , are ideally suited to perform welds for your car restoration. We accept walk-ins when you need a lasting weld on an original automobile component.