What gauge of metal do most of you use for body patch panels? I've used 18 but thought maybe 20 would be a lot easier to form. Some of the complicated panels are a little tuff with the 18 but I'm no expert either.
I try to match the gauge of metal that I’m patching, most cases it’s 18 ga. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Factory is 19 gauge so if you are thinning it at all when forming it, like wheeling, 18 is going to be closest to the original.
@Mike Colemire According to the late Ron Fournier, a life long, well respected master metal former, 19ga is what the vast majority of steel auto bodies where made from for many decades. The specific type best for metal shaping is 19ga AKDQ. That translates to Aluminum Killed Draw Quality. The 'draw quality' refers to it's elasticity for die forming without tearing, such as for oil pans or complex fender shapes, etc. It (DQ) is also what has usually been used for appliances, such as refrigerators stoves and washing machines, though I am not sure of the ga used for those items. It can be stretched, shrunk and bent far more easily than the typical cold roll sheet metal most often found in metal suppliers inventory. 19ga AKDQ can be obtained from metal suppliers on an order basis if they do not have it in stock. Another good source of metal for patch panels would be from older/other car parts that are otherwise not useable or valuable. Ray
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