I think you had me confused the other day. It sounds like you cut the pinch welds clean with the existing metal, threw some tack welds on it to strengthen it up and then grinded it smooth. Is that correct? Im actually cutting the entire pinch weld area out of the XK and relocating it back about 2 inches farther then what yours currently looks like. I thought thats what you did at first. I'll be going to lowes or home depot for some sheet metal tonight.