Techniques for removing brazing from sheet metal

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Ive been wondering for a while now, if there are any good techniques for removing brazed joints on sheet metal panels on vehicles. In the past Ive just grinded them away somehow.. its kinda crude this way, some joints are hard to access with a grinder without a lot of damage to the panel not wanting to damage. I'm taking door skins, quarter panels, rear body panels.. etc.

Any tips ? I'm thinking using a butane torch or oxy-acy torch, to warm up the joint, then wire brush the braze off ?

 

[lilredex]

Butane ain't going to do it...not hot enough. O/A the best choice, but you'll not have much luck at brushing it away.....it will be contaminated forever, if you're thinking of trying to WELD over it.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

 

[theknurl]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

O/A is mandatory.....

are you replacing panels?

cut the panel being replaced, then use torch and pliers to remove the last of the panel

you will have a very hard time removing all the brazing without grinding and it will be simpler to just braze the new panel back in

 

[HMCFab9]

^^^^ what the others have already said.
Brazing is hard to get rid of. Lead you can melt away, but brazing doesn't seem to work that way.
I've used a cut off wheel to grind as much of it away as possible if I needed to weld near it. If you can, just cut it off & replace it.

 

[MP&C]

The few times I've done it I had one panel that was sacrificial so it was cut out of the way for good access to save the other. Next, used a cutoff wheel to grind the bulk away and a sanding disc for the remaining. When it started to shower sparks, you've found steel. Move elsewhere quickly.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Yes, I'm replacing panels. I'm trying to find a better and cleaner way to remove the damaged panel at these brazed joints with less damage to the good panel. I have in the past cut off the old panel down to a small piece and just ground away the old panel though the braze, then the remaining of the braze. However, this often leaves the good panel pretty thin.

I think I'll try the pliers and O/A, see if I can get it off well, then maybe try a stripping wheel on the braze ? using a roloc orange stripping wheel on a angle die grinder.

I usually just mig weld the new panel in back where it was. Perhaps I should try brazing.. since i'll have the O/A setup.

 

[lilredex]

When I have brazed stuff like that, I put on my (Victor) "000" tip and use a flame just bigger than a birthday candle. Make the joint super clean so the brass will flow immediately with that small flame. Heat is your biggest enemy.....contrary to common opinion, I use a damp rag to keep things cool as you go, and avoid warping.


An example from the past..

 

[theknurl]

JeepsAreBuilt;
try to keep the heat on the strip and pull gently....as parallel as possible to the good piece to avoid distorting it

you could Cleco the new cleaned panel in place and then braze it between the Clecos, then remove the Clecos and finish the brazing

that would be my choice, totally sealed and looks close to stock