Best Gauge Sheet Metal For Body Work

0299 and 24 ga.

Best gauge sheet metal for body work.

Many racing organizations will specify the minimum acceptable gauge for sheet metal in critical applications such as firewalls and protective enclosures. 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. Remember that you re always trading off weight against strength when choosing a gauge of sheetmetal to use. It will be deformed and straightened with a pair of sheet metal pliers and then with a low crown body hammer on an anvil.

Eastwood 7 pieces 20 gauge auto body repair patch panels kit 20 gauge aluminized steel sheet metal corrosion resistant. 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. But i d recommend 16 ga or even 18 ga on the zuk. 18 ga is 0 05 thick.

Most standard body metal is 18 gauge. For a weight bearing floor use 14 or 12 gauge steel. Brianstick with all due respect i find it hard to believe that sheet metal from a 1974 american made automobile has 18 ga. The experiment involves a strip of 22 gauge sheet metal.