Rocker panels

I've been trying to get body work done on my '65 Chevy van and have moved on to the rocker panels.

The question is, is the inner panel, the vertical one is this galvanized?

I was planning on doing a two piece replacement, the inner and outer, and earlier today trying to do some initial welding to the factory inner panel, it didn't go so well. Using some stiff wire brushes on a drill, I clean off the metal to what I thought was bare metal, but apparently was some coating on the steel.

I found if I used a grinder and clean off the metal, I was then able to weld to it.

While the coating did look gray'ish....it didn't look like what I have typically seen as galvanized steel. It would be unfortunate of it is.

Thanks in advance.

I do believe they are galvanized, need to grind the coating off for a good weld.

you need to be careful with the zinc dust while grinding and vapor when welding. It is very harmful. It will destroy your lungs.

Duane in Tennessee

Heres an old welder trick!! If u are welding / burning / grinding =any galvanized stuff = drink milk after - it will take that bad taste away=IMMED!!!!!!!!!!!! wear a dust mask also!!  

OK. So it *IS* galvanized. That's all I needed to know.

Thanks.