Expert: William Forster - 11/7/2009

Question
I'm restoring a car and need to remove a lead seam from a quarter panel that I'm replacing. Do I just melt the lead out with a torch? When sanding old paint off a lead seam or melting the lead, what health precautions should I take to avoid exposure to he lead?

Thanks,
-Brian  

Answer
I would use a torch, BUT- if you are replacing quarters, they were generally never sectioned at the lead seam. The lead seam should be left intact, and the quarter sectioned in below the lead seam somewhere in the sail panel. Unless you know how to lead, and intend to re-lead the seam back in, section it and leave the lead seam alone. lead cannot be replaced with  body filler in the seams- if it could have been, the car manufacturers wouldn't have used an expensive and heavy product like lead to fill seams. If you insist upon doing this, be sure to wear a respirator when grinding or heating lead. When working with lead or solder, be sure to have an exhaust fan going at all times. Wear a full face shield when grinding lead, I even suggest long sleeves and a skull cap of some sort. It's a heavy metal- all heavy metals are poisonous. Lead collects in the body- it tends to stay with you for a long time. Not good. yet nother reason to avoid the lead seams. Bill