Bodywork Bloopers
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,894
Likes: 3,135
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I worked near a body shop owned my an old guy who still used lead on a lot of cars, even newer ones. He made it look so damn easy. He'd tin the metal, warm the lead bars just to the point of melting and then slap gobs of lead on the side of the car and smooth it out with his hardwood paddle coated in bee's wax. He'd flash the lead with his torch just to soften it and smooth it out. Looked as easy as frosting a cake. I tried it numerous times on my own, even bought a kit the huckster at the swap meet said anyone could use. I never was able to get the lead to stick. That's why I use plastic filler, a lot easier to use, a lot cheaper and easier to get. If body work is done correctly you only need a thin layer and with the modern formulas it should last a life time.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
Yeah it's not really that I want to fill my truck, or future projects, with lead. I am sure that as you said Bob, the plastic fillers today are fine and that's what I have worked with in the past. It's just about the art form dying and even beyond that, the nostalgia that goes along with it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Jeff you can still get tthe Cleco fasteners from several places. Eastwood has them. So does McMaster Carr.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,894
Likes: 3,135
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
To add to my previous post about my Frankenstein panel. I am in the process of cutting it into little bite sized pieces and when I took the rear inner panels off I found one of the previous owners solutions to seal the bodies from leaking. He jammed old gloves and a towel or rag into the seams. Good idea!! Now I know why the rear fenders were loaded with plastic mud.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
I know...tight huh?
Refyred
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 12
From: Southern Nevada
Jeff get more for your buck here. Cleco / KwikLok Temporary Fasteners I have not purchased from them my self!
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 4
From: Sacramento
Did you know that Bondo can be over 5 inches thick?
One of the first things I did when i got my '54 was to pull off the grill because it looked like it needed some straightening (and I'm one of those weirdos that love the Fangs). When I did I found that the grill had been smashed in pretty thoroughly at one point. But, instead of pounding it out even a little bit (the metal was fine!), the PO made an art project out of it, by completely recreating the front shape of the 54 grill out of bondo by hand!
I gotta admit, he did do a fairly good job of it, but still....
(Sorry for no pix, this was before I discovered FTE - - I just laughed and figured no one would care OR believe me....)
One of the first things I did when i got my '54 was to pull off the grill because it looked like it needed some straightening (and I'm one of those weirdos that love the Fangs). When I did I found that the grill had been smashed in pretty thoroughly at one point. But, instead of pounding it out even a little bit (the metal was fine!), the PO made an art project out of it, by completely recreating the front shape of the 54 grill out of bondo by hand!
I gotta admit, he did do a fairly good job of it, but still....
(Sorry for no pix, this was before I discovered FTE - - I just laughed and figured no one would care OR believe me....)
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