how to use lead for auto body repair

So after warming the metal, then its a balance of evenly keeping the metal warm and heating an inch or so of the lead bar to the point that the lead is ready to fall off the bar and then you push it into the metal and twist to break it off. Then keep adding lead like that until you have plenty to get the repair done.

Full Answer

How do you put a lead on a car body?

After the tinning process the lead can be applied. It is usually available in sticks or bars about 18 inches long that can be heated and applied to the body panel. A wooden paddle is used to spread the heated lead onto the body panel as desired.

Should you lead your car body panels?

With the invention and evolution of plastic body fillers the art of leading a body panel has been slowly dying out, but if you want to keep “traditional” or true to the era of the car you’re building; leading is the only way.

Why is lead used as a filler in cars?

Lead can be used a s a filler to fill imperfections and to seal welded seams. Lead is not used much anymore due to the health hazards of lead as it has been outdated with plastic body fillers.

What is lead-free body solder?

The lead-free body solder is used much like the older leads. The metal still requires to be tinned, solder applied with heat and smoothed with wooden paddles, then shaped using a body file. You can also sand or grind this solder without the worry of breathing harmful lead particles.

How do you use lead as body filler?

29:5431:36How To Lead: Leading a Body Panel with Gene Winfield - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat might be stuck. In there as you do that process. Now I seen a guy using motor oil on his leadMoreThat might be stuck. In there as you do that process. Now I seen a guy using motor oil on his lead paddles one time no oil and paint doesn't mix.

Is lead better than body filler?

Lead seals much better than body filler. Therefore, you can lead straight over welds, section location, pillars, or anywhere else exceptional sealing properties are required. Once the lead is shaped, you are ready for primer. Lead flexes well with the metal without cracking.

Can you put Bondo over lead?

Lead expands/contracts at roughly the same rate as metal whereas fiberglass/bondo is a relatively poor match. This is the reason why fiberglass/bondo will always eventually pull away from the metal because it expands/contracts at a different rate that is significant.

Do they still use lead on cars?

While automotive paints were not subjected to governmental lead restrictions as early as household paints were, the processes adopted to meet other regulations, particularly on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), have now effectively eliminated lead from today's automotive paints.

What is lead loading?

LEAD wiping, lead filling, lead loading or lead slinging. Call it what you will, it's just another way to finish off your repairs for a smooth enough finish so that you can prime and paint your car. Or in the case of Pete Forster's '33 Ford roadster, maybe not paint.

Is there a filler for metal?

Permatex Liquid Metal Filler is an easy-to-use filler that can be drilled, filed, sanded and painted. It forms a long-lasting, metal-tough bond and works on metal, wood, and concrete.

What year did they stop putting lead in automotive paint?

Even newer automobiles may be painted with lead paint, as lead paint for vehicle use was specifically exempted in the 1978 U.S. lead-based paint ban (and to my knowledge, still remains so).

What year did they stop using lead paint on cars?

In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead-based paint is still present in millions of homes, normally under layers of newer paint. If the paint is in good shape, the lead-based paint is usually not a problem.

Is there lead in old automotive paint?

Many auto paints, particularly those on older vehicles, are high in lead and can be a health hazard. There have been cases of children suffering lead poisoning from playing in soil contaminated by auto paint dust.

How do you seal a lead roof?

4:386:01Lead and Flat Roof Repair - Stop Flat Roof Leaks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTry to work in small areas and gently rub the surface of the flashing tape with a thick rag toMoreTry to work in small areas and gently rub the surface of the flashing tape with a thick rag to protect your fingers from the heat.

How do you wipe a lead panel?

0:324:31leadwiping part 1 - Cruizin - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe area must be totally clean and neither blasted or mechanically roughen to maximize adhesion toMoreThe area must be totally clean and neither blasted or mechanically roughen to maximize adhesion to tin the area liberally brush on bakers soldering fluid otherwise food spirits of salts.

What are the disadvantages of lead?

The Disadvantages of Lead 1 It take more skill to use lead. It requires more training and practice to perfect leading than body filler. 2 Leading is a much slower process. As mentioned, you must prep the metal by tinning it, using heat to soften and apply the lead or solder, then smooth it out with wooden paddles. Then using a body filler to smooth the lead or solder smooth. If you are filling a large area, you may have to break the filling process into smaller sections. 3 Lead does not work well on thinner metals. More care must be taken when working with thinner metals to prevent overheating or weakening the metal. Since heat and filing is required to use lead, it will not work well on thinner metals. 4 Lead is harder than body filler which makes it harder to level or sand. 5 Lead is often referred to as becoming a part of the metal. However, I do not agree with this statement. In order for this to happen, the metals must be a fused together. This requires both metals to melt together and become one piece. For instance, when welding, both metal pieces are melted and fused together. However, when brazing, only the brass is melted. Brazing is not considered a fusion weld. While both brazing and lead provide excellent sealing properties, they are not a fusion process. Therefore, lead does not become a part of the panel.

What is lead solder used for?

Lead has been around for many years. It was used as one of the first filers to fill imperfections on car parts. There are still a few custom shops around that use lead, but most shops have started using lead-free solder or body filler.

Why is lead used in body fillers?

Lead can be used a s a filler to fill imperfections and to seal welded seams. Lead is not used much anymore due to the health hazards of lead as it has been outdated with plastic body fillers.

How to use lead in metal?

Leading is a much slower process. As mentioned, you must prep the metal by tinning it, using heat to soften and apply the lead or solder, then smooth it out with wooden paddles.

Can you use body filler to smooth lead?

Then using a body filler to smooth the lead or solder smooth. If you are filling a large area, you may have to break the filling process into smaller sections. Lead does not work well on thinner metals. More care must be taken when working with thinner metals to prevent overheating or weakening the metal.

Can you use lead free solder on metal?

A new lead-free version body solder has been developed if you are a lead enthusiast and want to produce the same quality results. The lead-free body solder is used much like the older leads. The metal still requires to be tinned, solder applied with heat and smoothed with wooden paddles, then shaped using a body file. You can also sand or grind this solder without the worry of breathing harmful lead particles. While this is a safer leading alternative, a proper mask should still be worn as when sanding any type of filler. If interested, you can learn more about this type of lead by clicking here.

Is lead harder than body filler?

Lead is harder than body filler which makes it harder to level or sand. Lead is often referred to as becoming a part of the metal. However, I do not agree with this statement. In order for this to happen, the metals must be a fused together. This requires both metals to melt together and become one piece.

How to clean rust off body solder?

So if you are working on a panel that you know is clean and rust free, then sanding and a clean wire brush followed by a wax and grease cleaner will be good enough. But I like to use some type blasting abrasive on rusted areas and then use phosphoric acid with a small stainless steel brush by hand to agitate, and the rust pits will even require a metal pick to keep digging at the specks and then SS wire brush, while keeping the area wet with the phosphoric acid the whole time then rinse with distilled water.

How to neutralize lead flux?

My process for neutralizing is to wait until the lead cools and before using the file I just use a solution of baking soda and warm water on it and dry, then phosphoric acid to be sure of neutralizing the flux using a small stainless steel wire brush by hand to get into all the nooks and crannies good, and then just rinse with distilled water, which is neutral on the ph scale so it will help prevent flash rusting .

How to clean phosphoric acid?

For full panels or larger areas I like to scrub the wet acid on the panel with a red scotch pad to get rid of the acid etching (loos e dissolved metal residue) and make it a cleaner finish, then make sure it is totally wet with acid before pouring the distilled water over it to thoroughly rinse. If you are working on just a small area you could use a hand held stainless steel brush to scrub the acid wet metal clean.

How to tell if tinning butter is hot enough?

Tinning butter will bubble and turn darker when it is ready to be wiped, but the way to tell when the metal with stay clean is warm enough is to touch the lead bar to the metal, when the metal is warm enough to melt the lead, then it is hot enough.

How to prevent distortion of metal?

You want to heat a broad area around the repair area to help keep distortion down, localized heat is much more likely to cause distortion. The paint and rust stripping company that I use locally has a very large oven that they use to burn the paint and undercoating off and to do that they heat the metal to 800 degrees F. The oven is programmed to raise the temperature very slowly to 800 degrees and then very slowly bring it back down, so its the speed at which the temperature is changed and the fact that the whole panel is heated that keeps it from harming the panel.

How to know if lead is too hot?

If you watch the video of Wild Bill working the lead, you can see that he doesn't spread the lead he pushes it and never gets it real soft. So this is why the metal and the full thickness of lead has to be heated to work it properly. Spreading the lead like icing on a cake will cause pin holes and bridge over some areas that will result in a low area after filing.

What to use to clean up after filing?

For clean up after filing it is advisable to use a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom to keep the lead dust out of the air you are breathing.

WHERE DO YOU GET IT?

The key to a successful repair is using the correct solder, which comes in various ratios. Radiator shops use a 60:40 tin to lead ratio (the first number is always tin). Plumbers use 50:50, and at least 70 per cent lead (30:70) is recommended for body repairs.

What is Kemtex B solder?

The flux is called Kemtex B solder paste and is a combination of zinc chloride and tin/lead powder. All tinning pastes have hydrochloric acid in them, which chemically cleans the surface and removes any oxidation, while simultaneously applying a very thin layer of lead that helps bond the new lead that you are about to apply to the surface of the metal. Always clean and tin a much larger area than the repair requires. This will ensure maximum adhesion right to the edge of the final repair.

What tools do you need to work with lead?

As for the tools, most people would already have what’s needed, apart from the body file, shaping paddle (in the blue container, above) and Kemtex B solder paste (red lid, above). It’s very important to use appropriate safety equipment (respirator and safety glasses) when working with lead. Also, be sure to sweep up the lead shavings and dust before thoroughly washing your hands, as there are a few nasties involved.

How to apply lead to a panel?

To apply the lead you need to heat both the panel and the lead. Ben used a propane torch, which has a softer and cooler flame than oxy-acetylene. If you use oxy, you need to set the torch to a ‘licking’ or carbonising flame. You are trying to evenly warm the panel and heat the lead until it starts to droop.

How to repair lead?

The first step in a lead repair is ‘tinning’, which chemically cleans the surface using acid. If there’s a hole or a porous seam, the acid will get trapped behind the panel, rusting it from behind, so weld up all holes and seams first. 18. 2.

How many years of experience does Gene Winfield have?

Having seen it done a couple of times now, including watching Gene Winfield wave his 60-plus years of experience over a lead-filled panel, I’d say the process isn’t that difficult, but it does take practice.

Is lead wiping hard?

Lead wiping isn't hard, you just need the right equipment and plenty of practice. Lead wiping isn't hard, you just need the right equipment and plenty of practice. LEAD wiping, lead filling, lead loading or lead slinging. Call it what you will, it’s just another way to finish off your repairs for a smooth enough finish so ...

What is lead filler?

The lead used as filler for bodywork is not pure lead, it is a combination of lead and tin, usually in a ratio of 60/40%. In order for the lead/tin alloy to stick to the metal, the metal must be cleaned with a flux. Liquid flux is applied to the metal area, as it is heated a very thin coating of lead is applied and spread onto the metal with steel wool and then wiped clean with a rag . It is important that the finished surface be shiny, clean and free of all traces of flux residue. This process is referred to as "tinning". There are several ready- made products available for tinning, which are basically flux mixed with granulated lead either in a powder or paste consistency. While they make the process easier, they are more prone to trap flux in the tinning coat, which will result in a contaminated job that will eventually produce bubbles and blisters in the paint. Also important to remember is that pin holes, open seams or any spots that cannot be polished completely smooth before the tinning process (like those in a welded seam) bwill trap flux. The rear-fender-to-door-jam and side-rocker-to-fender seams were overlapped, spot-welded and filled with lead at the factory. These areas typically have problems, and lead swelling from the trapped acid is common. They were originally done this way to speed the production process.

What is filler made of?

Polyester based filler has been around since the 1960s and is typically used to smooth large areas of body damage. It is made up of polyester resin mixed with filler like talc or some form of plastic powder, and can even contain aluminum powder.

How long is lead on a stick?

After the tinning process the lead can be applied. It is usually available in sticks or bars about 18 inches long that can be heated and applied to the body panel. A wooden paddle is used to spread the heated lead onto the body panel as desired.

What is lead used for on a 356?

On our 356s, lead was used to fit the removable panels (hood, doors, etc.) to the body. At the time, this was an inexpensive way to build the bodies. Lead is a effective and permanent filler for steel bodies and is the only material that will withstand the heat associated with the baking process of synthetic enamel.

What is liquid flux?

Liquid flux is applied to the metal area, as it is heated a very thin coating of lead is applied and spread onto the metal with steel wool and then wiped clean with a rag . It is important that the finished surface be shiny, clean and free of all traces of flux residue. This process is referred to as "tinning".

Can you use body filler on 356?

At WR we don’t use body filler and this sometimes results in very expensive repairs. That said, there is a place for this type of filler in 356 repairs when the customer simply can’t afford to have the work done correctly. We have used filler in the past on some jobs with very good results but care must be taken to keep the coats thin and to prepare the metal properly, first by cleaning with phosphoric acid and solvent, and then by blasting any pin-holes or low areas with glass bead or garnet. Polyester filler will react and swell when it gets hot (like in the sun), for this reason it’s a bad idea to fill weld seams. Take the time to properly weld, and then file the seam flat and smooth. This will provide a much better job.

Is it bad to fill seams with polyester?

Polyester filler will react and swell when it gets hot (like in the sun), for this reason it’s a bad idea to fill weld seams. Take the time to properly weld, and then file the seam flat and smooth. This will provide a much better job.

Lead Filler

Lead Free Body Solder

The Benefits of Lead

The Disadvantages of Lead