Stop in for a cup of coffee

I did see Greg and Eddie at the shop use a reusable putty of unknown content to keep the spread of heat confined while welding on body panels, at least slow it down some. 3 or 4" on both sides of the weld zone. Vertical or horizontal they built a little levee looking thing. At the appropriate time peel the stuff off throw it back in the can for the next time.
Were they doing that with a torch?