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Can Aluminum be Lead Loaded?

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JamesWilson

JamesWilson

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Just wondering... I'm about to start learnig to lead load to cover some rust rash on the steel bits of my Austin-Healey and the bumpers of my Jensen-Healey, but there as a few palces where the Big Healey's aluminum shrouds could use a little filler and I was wondering:

1. Can Aluminum be lead loaded?

2. Is the process the same as for steel? (or do I have to use stainless steel brush to clean it as for welding)

3. Flux?

4. Any particular issues with removing the excess since the Aluminum is so much softer than steel, but still somewhat harder than the lead.

5. How durable is the resulting bond?

6. Does this raise any issues for later priming and painting?

Thanks...
 
Use "AllMetal" epoxy filler on the alloy, James. Lead will NOT work.
 
While lead won’t bond to aluminum, there are “solders” available for aluminum. I’ve never heard of one sold as body filler. Here’s a patent that refers to one, but I have no idea if it’s been commercialized.

Here’s a product that looks like it should work, HTS-2000. It’s sold as a soldering/brazing material and ought to work as a filler. But it’s <span style="font-style: italic">really</span> expensive, so one would have a tough time justifying the cost verses plastic filler (which is normal for aluminum bodywork).

I’ve seen the HTS-2000 demo (“Billy Mays style”) at a tool show and bought a few rods to try out for repairs but I haven’t gotten a chance to use them yet.


pc.
 
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