Aircooled VW South Africa

Mike came up with Tudor to Custom Classics today. Tudor had a look at Davey's engine while Mike cracked on with the lead loading:-


This is the lead paint or paste:-




These are the lead sticks:-



This is the tallow:-


These are the paddles for smoothing down the lead:-

The technique for lead loading is as follows:-
The area your working on needs to be completely rust free, shot blasted metal is ideal.
There can be no holes as the lead is not designed to bridge holes.
Apply the solder paint or flux paste
Heat it up gently & use a thin bladed instrument to work the material into the metal.
Do not apply too much heat.
Keep going until the whole area is covered.
Work in the material with gentle heat using a fine wire brush.
Use a clean rag wipe it in the tallow.
Heat the material again & wipe it with the tallow covered rag until smooth.
Next dip the solder stick in the tallow & applying gentle heat melt the solder stick over the tinned surface.
while applying gentle heat rub the surface of the wooden paddle.
Using gentle heat melt the lead & smooth off with the tallow covered paddle.
Using a file or a coarse abrasive rub down the lead until smooth.
Only do this by hand as the lead dust is very dangerous & you don't want to be breathing it in.
Video to follow.

Not had chance to go to Custom Classics today as I have been really busy.
Tudor very kindly dropped up my tailgate, thanks pal.

Had a delivery today, a very rare Micro Bus rear seat belt bracket:-

Called at Custom Classics today, I was chuffed to find both Gavin & Davey working hard on Milly, lots of the filler work is done, unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me, so I didn't take any pictures. I'll get some next time I'm there.

Got my new battery delivered today, looks good:-

The tailgate leading is very good & just needs a good rub down:-

Some pictures taken by Gavin in Custom Classics:-

Its surprising how many little dents are all over it. These couldn't be seen before we started.

Went to Custom Classics in Barry today just to do a bit of sanding & to prime the bare metal so it won't rust:-