The Ford Barn

Lincolnville · 02-01-2023, 04:35 PM

Did Ford put lead in the seams to hid them? About every time I try and fix a seam / or weld on seam I run into lead...

mcgarrett · 02-01-2023, 04:54 PM

Yes, depending on year of mfg. What year are we talking about?

Lincolnville · 02-01-2023, 04:55 PM

1932 Ford Cabriolet.

mcgarrett · 02-01-2023, 05:08 PM

Sorry, you stated 1932 and I missed it.

I'm not aware of lead being used on seams of any '32 Fords, but I stand to be corrected by more experienced '32 owners.

51 MERC-CT · 02-01-2023, 05:26 PM

Virtually all brand manufacturers used welded/spot welded seams to connect body panels together. These were then filled, using lead filler to hide them.

DavidG · 02-01-2023, 06:01 PM

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There are lots of seams on '32 bodies and they are covered up with lead to eliminate imperfections in the joint. On a '32 cabriolet, Ford did not create a one-piece pair of quarter panels and upper back panel, nor were the cowl top and cowl sides formed in one piece.

Bored&Stroked · 02-02-2023, 01:14 PM

Just think of lead as "body filler" back in this era. Given the number of seams in these bodies, there would always be slight imperfections/waves that needed to be filled and filed smooth prior to primer and paint.

02-01-2023, 04:35 PM	#1
Lincolnville Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 129	Lead in the seams - 1932 Did Ford put lead in the seams to hid them? About every time I try and fix a seam / or weld on seam I run into lead...

02-01-2023, 04:54 PM	#2
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Lead in the seams - 1932 Yes, depending on year of mfg. What year are we talking about?

02-01-2023, 04:55 PM	#3
Lincolnville Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 129	Re: Lead in the seams - 1932 1932 Ford Cabriolet.

02-01-2023, 05:08 PM	#4
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Lead in the seams - 1932 Sorry, you stated 1932 and I missed it. I'm not aware of lead being used on seams of any '32 Fords, but I stand to be corrected by more experienced '32 owners.

02-01-2023, 05:26 PM	#5
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Lead in the seams - 1932 Virtually all brand manufacturers used welded/spot welded seams to connect body panels together. These were then filled, using lead filler to hide them. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

02-01-2023, 06:01 PM	#6
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Lead in the seams - 1932 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There are lots of seams on '32 bodies and they are covered up with lead to eliminate imperfections in the joint. On a '32 cabriolet, Ford did not create a one-piece pair of quarter panels and upper back panel, nor were the cowl top and cowl sides formed in one piece.

02-02-2023, 01:14 PM	#7
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	Re: Lead in the seams - 1932 Just think of lead as "body filler" back in this era. Given the number of seams in these bodies, there would always be slight imperfections/waves that needed to be filled and filed smooth prior to primer and paint.