Body seams

[JerryL770]

I assume that all the hidden body seams are leaded and that this prevents a crack appearing at any time - in the paintwork.

Am I correct?

[bitsobrits]

Yes, assuming you are talking about factory bodywork. You should be able to find several videos and photos online showing the factory method of body fabrication and lead loading.

[christopher storey]

The seams certainly are leaded . However, I am afraid that cracking does happen over the years, because the lead tends eventually to shift slightly. This is particularly so in relation to the seam which extends rearwards from the bottom of the door opening to the rear wheel arch

[JerryL770]

This refers to a recent restoration.

I'm now informed that few bodyshops, if any use lead these days on the basis that modern fillers are better and are non-toxic.

I guess old original lead may crack but I would have thought new lead would be OK for quite a long time. In this case, I'm talking the seam from the lower rear edge of the bonnet to the front lower corner of the door.

[MikeMilton]

Here is an example of a seam that was leaded. You can also see a slight hint of the rest of the seam extending back towards the gas filler.

[mgcjag]

Hi Jerry.....Very fey bodyshops will lead load joints and opt for modern fillers......you pay you money you take your choice.....a good restoration company restoring to original should use lead.....then either in house or send out to a body shop for prep and paint......prep will consist of a thin scim where needed of modern filler.......

[johnetype]

Jerry,

Even on a "good" restoration using lead loading, it's likely that for the final finish a touch of modern fillers will have been used. That's partly because of the level of perfection people demand on a restoration these days which would be very challenging using lead alone. If you can get a copy this months Jaguar Enthusiast's Club magazine there's an article explaining the process and showing a bonnet being lead loaded but even that looks as though a skim of filler was used before priming.

I sense you're on an "investigation" wrt your own car. It's not so much wether lead filler has been used or not but how the new sills were welded/attached to the tub at that point to join them securely before any type of filler was applied. There's the potential for a lot of stress due to flexing at that point which would tear through any filler.

[JerryL770]

Thank you John, understood. Food for thought.

I have the JEC mag but not yet got past the first page