I need to patch a couple of sections of my longs (inside the car) as well as the rear firewall. What gauge of metal was used for both of these?

I HATE rust.

More likely than not, it's some metric gauge.

I typically use 22ga steel for patch panels and fabrication.

Good luck.

I think 18G for structural panels and 20G for exterior body panels

The Weld in reinforcements that people use are 16 ga. That should tell you something there...

I would use 18 or 16 guage, Whichever you can get your hands on.

22ga? YOu use paper? I find anything under 18 guage to be rather thin and flexable... too flexable.

I would agree with travis on what the factory used.. I personally would go thicker... but thats me.

18 gauge is good for the firewall and longs. You can use 20 for the other non-structural panels. 16 gauge is pretty thick, and is hard to cut and bend unless you have really good tools. JoeO

Fenders, door skins, replacement panels and most of the rest of the car is definitely NOT 18 ga. The car would be very heavy if it were. 20 ga maybe, but not 18 ga.

Paper is way way thinner than 22ga steel.

The difference between 20 and 22 ga is only .006"


Here are some thicknesses and weights:

24 ga. = .024" = 1.000 lb/sq. ft
22 ga. = .030" = 1.250 lb/sq. ft
20 ga. = .036" = 1.500 lb/sq. ft
18 ga. = .048" = 2.000 lb/sq. ft
16 ga. = .060" = 2.500 lb/sq. ft
14 ga. = .075" = 3.125 lb/sq. ft
12 ga. = .105" = 4.375 lb/sq. ft
11 ga. = .120" = 5.000 lb/sq. ft
10 ga. = .134" = 5.625 lb/sq. ft

Most anything over 10 ga. is extreme overkill on a car.


For reinforcement, you can use heavier steel if you like....

I just measured the sheetmetal in the tunnel it is about .020". Couldnt get to the firewall but thr mangled part by my clutch tube looks to be about double that so I'd guess 20ga.
Paper is .003" FYI