Protecting Body Paint from Weld and Grind Sparks
 

After changing directions "slightly" halfway through a build, I find myself needing to protect a new paint job from some additional work that I will be performing. Specifically, I will be tubbing a car, and also installing a custom roll bar. So, things will get a bit dirty, and also there is a decent chance of weld sparks from my MIG getting onto the body.

I have heard that there are products out there that are desgined specificlaly for this, i.e. won't allow a weld spark to melt through to the paint, but don't know where to find them. Direct experience and advise welcome.

Thanks!
Mark

3M makes a welding and spark deflection paper, part number 05916. You should be able to pick it up at your local automotive paint and body supplier.

Hope this helps,
Mike

The 3M paper is expensive but is the only thing I am aware of. Check prices on Ebay and Amazon. TCP Global also sells it online. It comes in boxes of 2 rolls. Some places will sell you 1 roll.

Don

Here the info from the 3m site

3M™ Welding and Spark Deflection Paper is a flame-retardant, repositionable, adhesive-backed paper product used to protect vertical surfaces from damage caused by welding spatter and grinding sparks. It is designed for use on vertical surfaces, such as:

automotive glass
painted sheet metal
automotive light fixtures
and many other vertical surfaces
The product is not designed for installation on horizontal surfaces, such as roofs, decklids, hoods, carpeting on floorboards. It is not designed to prevent heat transfer from sparks or spatter that are allowed to sit in one position on the paper, these will burn through. If the surface is horizontal, has areas where sparks could catch and burn, or if there are any other questions about whether this product is appropriate, it is better to use 3M™ High Performance Welding Drape (PN 05919).

Additional Product Information
3M Part Number 05916
UPC 00051131059160
Case Quantity 2 rolls per case
Case Inner Pack 1 roll

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...4c5e3e468a.jpg

Awesome, that's the info I was looking for. Should have known 3M would have something, what "don't" they make?! Their thin "Green Corp" cutoff wheels are the best I have ever used, if not very expensive, but the only ones I will buy now.

Thanks guys, good info on the horizontal surfaces too, darned good point.

Mark

A lot of pro bodymen use something like this: http://www.eastwood.com/fiberglass-w...4ft-x-5ft.html as they never do complete repaints and it's re-usable.

I love this stuff- well worth the money- even if you save $$ from destroying 1 piece of glass

I just replaced the windshield in my brother in laws Camaro -- a brand new one replaced with a brand new one -- because I ruined it with cutoff wheel grinding sparks while cutting the floors out.... :faint:

I should have used some protection....

we have always used those at work, they are awesome! but being pretty heavy they dont like to stay on anything without something to hold it down. they have a version that is soft and typically black. the fiberglass ones are very stiff and make me think they scratch the paint esily

Harbor Freight has nice thick,heavy and yet very pliable fiberglass welding blankets,much cheaper than Eastwood