A method of build-up welding including depositing of a weld material on a substrate in a series of weld passes in side-by-side relation to form a first weld layer, wherein substantially all weld passes forming the first weld layer are deposited in a first pass direction. Subsequently, a series of weld passes are deposited in side-by-side relation on the first layer to form a second weld layer, wherein substantially all weld passes forming the second weld layer are deposited in a second pass direction opposite to the first pass direction. Each weld pass of each layer may be deposited at a location where it is restrained on no more than one lateral side extending parallel to the weld pass.