I'm looking to smooth out the front fenders of my 57 pontiac chieftan. The headlight bezel screws into the fender, i want to weld in the gap. Problem, the headlight bezel is a cast white metal(?) don't really know how else to describe it. Can't mig it to the fender, tried brazing, but the cast melts before the rod and the bronze won't stick. Used flux coated bronze braze rods, both 1/8 and 3/32. welding shop recommended Zinal rod, never heard of it and it cost $100 for a pack, anyone use this stuff and do you think it will work? Or anyone have any other ideas? I also tried the eastwood leadless body solder and that didnt stick ot the cast, stuck to the steel good but not the cast. anyone got any other ideas?
I dont think you will have any luck trying to weld white metal to steel, might try glueing with panel adhisive or JB weld and smoothing with filler.
There's lots of zinc in that "white metal". Very low melting point. That means 2x on JB weld. I don't know of a way to fix that type of casting, and I fix A LOT of misc. crap for people.
ya, thought about the jb weld, or some of the new body epoxy they have, I just figured theres gotta be some way to do metal to metal. Using my temp gun it seems this stuff is melting just shy of 600f, which is super low. you guys have any problems with paint over jb weld in time?
Gotta be done with a low temp Solder. The melting points on steel and Pot Metal are way too far apart for actual welding.
Make sure you put a good mechanical scratch on both parts before panel bonding! 8115 is an awesome product, just make sure you prep good.
if this is the green 2 part,then yes. you will need a special adhesive gun to use it, but it will work.
X 2................. I'd go with the good old 30/70 body solder. In a pinch 50/50 would work, but does require some skill to flow it out on a vertical surface. I'd stay well away from that '' treehuggher '' 95/5 crap as its' melting point is well above the Zamac from which the headlamp doors are cast. If you go with JB Weld or some other putty, count on paint problems up the road The zinc expands at one rate, the putty at another & the carbon steel fender to which the headlamp door would be stuck upon the fender, yet another rate Al of this adds up to ''whitness or ghost'' lines in your paint job on hot days Grind and tin both the headlamp door, and the carbon steel fender, sweat solder the door onto the fender and be sure to add plenty of solder to the gap area between the two. File and sand (NEVER GRIND OR DA LEAD SOLDER ) and prime as necessary. " A government by the people, for the people " my ass !
Use "Fusor" metal panel adhesive. Works great- just make sure you get the one for metal. There are alot of choices!
this is my 2nd option, steel rings off of something else might look cool, I'm gonna do some research see what will stand out a bit.
As pimpin paint mentioned if you plan on putting nice paint on this the seam is going to show through the paint every time it gets hot outside if you use any type of panel adhesive and body filler to do this.
Click on link http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=642814&page=30 then go down to post #589 then read down to #598, Muggy Weld is something J.Fishbeck has good luck with. PM him and say Johnny Gee sent ya.
Muggy weld only works with a very low current, copper vat. Otherwise it will melt away. They have to polish it without gloves, so it doesn't get hot enough to melt the MW. I haven't had any luck with it.. but I know what to do for future attempts. Whether it works or not, we will have to see.
You would heat up the fender from the back side, till the solder starts to carmelize(turn brown)..then start adding in the filler rod. Grind as necessary, once cool
It can be done with Alladin 3 in one rod. After the low temp soldering which it essentially is you will skin it with bondo and go from there. It will make a good strong bond that won't break. http://www.aladdin3in1.com/
3M 8115 panel adhesive works good. Glue em on and then us filler to smooth. If you want it to cure crazy fast put the 8115 adhesive in the microwave, once hot glue them on and tape in place. Work fast if you heat the adhesive. Dave
The Jalopy Journal
