Best Gauge Sheet Metal For Body Work

Brianstick with all due respect i find it hard to believe that sheet metal from a 1974 american made automobile has 18 ga.

Best gauge sheet metal for body work. The experiment involves a strip of 22 gauge sheet metal. Eastwood 7 pieces 20 gauge auto body repair patch panels kit 20 gauge aluminized steel sheet metal corrosion resistant. 0239 range depending on the. 18 ga is 0 05 thick.

Remember that you re always trading off weight against strength when choosing a gauge of sheetmetal to use. Usually ships within 6 to 10 days. 0299 and 24 ga. The reason i say this is that i have rebuilt two older vehicles a 55 chevy and a 67 el camino and have found the sheet metal to be in the 22 ga.

Many racing organizations will specify the minimum acceptable gauge for sheet metal in critical applications such as firewalls and protective enclosures. I used to use 14 gauge on most repair jobs as it s the thickest that can be still cut by hand snips and formed into place without breaking the shears. It will be deformed and straightened with a pair of sheet metal pliers and then with a low crown body hammer on an anvil. The factor of work hardening is critical to auto bodywork and restoration because it limits how far you can move metal without annealing it.