How to Use Auto Body Solder
Lead solder is a material that was popular pre-1960 for touching up cars and for filling gaps in the body. However, auto body solder is still used in many cases by a variety of body shops, though it can take some time and practice to master the skill of working with lead solder. If you want to fill a gap in your car's body with auto solder it can be done, but you might want to practice a bit first to strengthen your skills.
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Things You'll Need
- Sandpaper
- Eye goggles
- Gauntlets (optional)
- Hand blow torch
- Lead auto body solder
- Wooden paddle
Instructions
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1
Clean and sand the area where the auto body solder is going to be used as filler. Make sure that all rust, paint and other debris is scoured away so that it won't interfere with the solder setting.
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2
Put on your safety goggles and gauntlets, if you're going to wear them. Turn on the torch and light it. Run the torch slowly over the area where you're going to apply the lead solder so that the area is warm, but not so hot that it will warp.
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3
Hold the solder stick so that it begins to melt along the crack you're filling. Lead solder will melt from the heat on the panel as well as from the heat of the torch. Gently break off the soft end pieces of the solder stick as you're soldering until the crack is filled.
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4
Mold the lead solder with a wooden paddle. Heat the solder as necessary, and smooth it flat so that, other than the color, the crack should be invisible. Allow the solder to cool and to harden within the crack, repairing it.
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