Lead Loading

[elwood]

Some fairly recent Chrysler cars used a process called spray braze to seal the joint between the rear quarter panel and the C-pillar. VW uses some laser weld joints on decklids. The key to success in both these processes is robotics to limit the time and area exposed to high heat.

In the old days ('60s and back), lead was used primarily because there wasn't any good, durable body filler available. The old body filler would tend to separate from the steel and/or crack, since it was fairly brittle. If you wanted a good lifetime repair, lead was the way to go.

On newer cars, the exterior sheetmetal is much thinner, and higher strength (to recover some dent resistance). This new thin gauge high strength steel doesn't like heat. When you put the torch to it long enough to work the lead, it will deform in ugly ways. I tried it about 10 years ago on some FB test panels, and it was a total failure.

The good news is that modern body fillers are very good. If applied properly, you'll never know there was a repair.

[spirit r]

My professional bodyworker always told me:

if you unable to bulge autobody sheet you must try it with Lead Loading. If you unable to lead loading you must try it with trowel off all-glass fiber scraper.
Thomas
Hope you all understand my german english!

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[TOOL]

RX3 was lead loaded to the best of my knowledge, so other early cars were too. Roof sections being the part I commonly think of.

Check Merv's RX3 build:

http://exile-rotorsport.com/viewtopic.p ... &start=165

[elwood]

My professional bodyworker always told me:

if you unable to bulge autobody sheet you must try it with Lead Loading. If you unable to lead loading you must try it with trowel off all-glass fiber scraper.
Thomas
Hope you all understand my german english!

SV100184.JPG

What modifications are you making? Fender flares? Widebody?

[spirit r]

My Car is finished with fenderflares. Yesterday i tested my modified nikki and it works great.

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[elwood]

Nice looking car. Where did you get the flares?

[spirit r]

Nice looking car. Where did you get the flares?

from a swiss hill racer his name is Claude and he is a very good mechanic too
http://www.zcarracingteam.ch/
I´ve modified the flares so they can fixed on the RX7. Not shure but I think the flares where made for an Datsun 240 Z car. The flares on Claude´s racecar are made of carbon and they are more expensive then mine. But it´s better first read my story here about the car viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1118
Thomas