Body Work- Lead in my bondo?

[mcwinery]

Here is a picture of some of the body work I am starting on my 72 fj40. I decided to grind out the bondo and patch the areas instead of painting over bondo. What is this stuff? I spoke to a few guys and the conclusion is that someone poured it with lead then added bondo over it. What do you think? I will post up progress as I go. So far I just filled in small holes with filler using my welder today, but tomorrow will be tacking sheet metal to the previously bondo areas.

 

[davegonz]

Yep, lead has been used as filler before Bondo was ever invented.

 

[dcamp]

x2, Lead was the original filler...

 

[Socal78fj40]

they do make bodyfiller that looks like that its an aluminum based filler called all-metal rock hard when dried and a pain in the ass to sand bought an old cadillac covered in that crap

 

[INHALER]

If that is lead, make sure you have excellent respiratory protection when welding or grinding on or around it!! In fact, I wouldn't put a grinder or welding stinger near lead. Maybe use some hand tools like an old chisel to peel it out & use some heat to remove the rest. Lead melts at 327 C/621 F, but watch that you don't get the area too hot. The sheet metal will warp very easily. You really don't want to get lead dust all over the place, it's quite toxic.

 

[shelfboy1]

dont breath it but all the old guys like george barris and gene windfield plus many others are still here after 50 years and still leading.

 

[yoopercharged]

dont breath it but all the old guys like george barris and gene windfield plus many others are still here after 50 years and still leading.

Statistical anomalies should not be your hero.

 

[myquestoyota]

I used some of that POR epoxy that kind of resembles that. You can easily tell lead if you run a file over it. Lead will file very easily because it's soft as, well, lead. If it is hard it is probably some sort of epoxy and some of that is very hard when it sets up but not as dangerous to work with as lead. Respirator is a good idea whenever messing with this stuff.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Due to the golden color It could very well be A silicon/Bronze brazing road repair.
Either way wear a GOOD respirator before you do anything around that.
Dave

 

[mcwinery]

Well it definitely is not lead. Much too hard and non metallic substance. I have a few updated pictures. I removed old rusted metal and bondo and replaced it with some metal cutouts from a ford fender that I got at a local body shop. Ace did not have 12 or 14 gauge steel so I went to the next best place for some body sheet metal. Still the newer fender material is a little thinner than the LC, but it is better than bondo.

Next up will be a little filler before painting. I did not want to grind down the welds too much. When I get ready to prime I will take out a little more of the weld. This is not a pristine restoration. I just want it to be a rust free daily driver.

 

[mcwinery]

A couple more pictures.

Additional Pics prior to welding after removing bondo.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Whoa...you should get that checked.

 

[cruiser88]

I have even used brass

 

[PHAEDRUS]

For the record,
We save hoods around my shop, The steel is usually a little thicker and perfect for patch panels.
Dave

 

[mcwinery]

good Idea. Hopefully I wont need to do it again.