Car Welding: Why We Do It When Others Won’t

It’s demanding, dirty, and unforgiving work. We're just used to it.

Car welding is something we've really honed over the past few years, whether it’s under jack stands on a customer’s driveway or in our own workshop. But have you ever noticed how many garages avoid it altogether? Some won’t even entertain it. So why is it so hated in the trade?

It’s Always a Bigger Job Than It Looks

Rust hides under paint and underseal. What starts out looking like a small patch often turns into something much larger, and more expensive, once you strip things back. On top of that, the thin metal in cars makes it easy to blow holes while welding, especially when you’re chasing out rust. All of this makes it hard to price fairly.

We always give a rough price range based on our experience. While it’s impossible to know exactly what’s lurking underneath, at least you’ll have an idea of what to expect. And if it turns out to be a bigger job, we always communicate clearly before moving forward.

It’s Dirty, Prep-Heavy Work

Cars are covered in years of paint, underseal, dirt, and who knows what else. All of it has to be stripped away to get back to bare metal, and that’s before you even start welding. Sometimes that means drilling out spot welds, cutting back further, and doing more prep than expected.

We’ve developed our own techniques and invested in the right tools to clean and prep each area properly, it’s the only way to get it right.

The Fire Risk Is Real

Welding always carries a fire risk, but with cars, it’s much higher. You're dealing with flammable underseal, sealants, filler, oil residue, carpet, wiring, even petrol and foam in some cases.

We use fire blankets and do a full inspection before starting any welding. The danger often comes from what’s behind the panel you're working on, does the carpet need removing? Are there fuel lines just out of sight? Is wiring tucked behind that chassis rail? We check all of that before the welder is even sparked.

It’s Tough, Physical Work

Believe it or not, crawling under vehicles, removing heavy parts, and working in tight spaces takes its toll. It’s demanding, dirty, and unforgiving work.

There’s no sugar-coating it, we’re just used to it.

In short, car welding comes with its own set of challenges, from hidden rust and fire risks to the time-consuming prep work. It’s not ASME pipe welding (that's a story for another time), but it does require a lot of attention to detail, patience, and the right approach. While many in the trade choose to avoid it, we’ve committed to doing it properly. With the right tools, techniques, and a clear line of communication, we make sure every job is done safely and to a high standard, whether it’s on a customer’s driveway or in our workshop.

Car welding why we do it when others won't