Thread: lead or plastic???

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My neighbor ran a body shop in the fifties and offered to teach me how to do lead bodywork.

I know that times and methods have changed, so will I be wasting my time???

hell YA! it's a waste of time ,........ But , do it anyway . I'm sure you'll learn more then just the lead. .......... that my opinion.

My '57 F100 is chopped 3, channeled 2, the cab and front fenders sectioned 2, 1957 Lincoln Premiere taillights, 57 Pontiac Safari split bumpers, flamethrowers, SW gauges, tall shifter, Larry Watson copy scallops and stripes.

All work done by me, white pleat-and-roll farmed out to Johnson Upholstery.

I was born thirty years too late. Ahhh, to have been there.

Go learn everything you can from your neighbor ,& have fun.

As stated earlier, you will learn MUCH more than working with lead!

I had an opportunity to spend some time with an old timer.

I learned how to remove dents, hammer weld and metal finish so no lead is needed.

"Shape...Straight...Smooth" was his mantra...and "Shadow lighting tells no lies!"

Never miss an opportunity to learn from the older craftsman.

They have knowledege and skills that are no longer taught or practiced.

Thank you for the responses. I am always willing to learn new skills. I have always used plastic filler in my projects.

Last new skill learned but never perfected: pinstriping

With one-shot and Mack brushes. Hee Hee

I hate to sound like a "me too" person, but I have to agree with the others. New skills are always a good thing to have. Even if they are technically old skills. After all, whats the best way to fix a classic car than with classic methods?

Mad, if you can pick up the technique go for it. There are still people out there who think lead is the only way to go. Of course they have no idea how well today's polyester fillers really perform, but they won't let reality get in the way of their beliefs. One word of caution here. Breathing lead "dust" and fumes is not good for the old lungs, of course, neither is breathing "bondo" dust. So, do yourself a favor. Go to your nearest auto body and paint jobber and spend $30 on a good respirator. Tell them what you will be working with and they'll get you the proper filters.