Metal filling

[Jeffrey S.]

I just purchased an original pair of '69-'69 exhaust tips. I am going to have them re-plated but want to do some of the prep work myself to help bring down the cost. I can electrically strip the old chrome and chemically de-rust but one of the tips has some very deep pits. A plater once told me that you could use solder to fill in deep pits in steel and once filed and prepped it will be as new. Has anyone done this type of repair? What kind of solder (or other material for that matter) should be used? Any other help would be appreciated. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Jeff

[Gene M.]

Re: Metal filling

Jeff,
Not a good idea on something that is going to get very hot.

[Edward J.]

Re: Metal filling

Jeff,I think your on the right track but, instead of soldier, I would use lead, thats what they did body work years ago.I think it has a better chance to have the plating stick.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Metal filling

Ed & Gene:
Thanks for the responses. Ed- Can I use a solid lead solder or would you melt pure lead? I have never done this and would like to try it. Can you give some pointers or is there a source you could recommend that I can use? Thanks!
Jeff

[Edward J.]

Re: Metal filling

Jeff lead solder, maybe with a propane torch,you may have to play with the temp.

[Gene M.]

Re: Metal filling

Jeff,
I would think you will need a bit of grinding in the rust pitting areas to get good clean metal. Sand blasting causes a rearrangement with the carbon that lead may not flow good with. This task may entail a lot of filing and sanding to look transparent of repair.

Don't expect the exhaust heat to not play a factor in the longevity of the efforts. But I could be wrong..........

[Steve L.]

Re: Metal filling

Lets also not forget that lead is a poison. Many people advise against sanding/filing because it gets in the air and you may breath it in.

Also, I don't think(but could be wrong) that either solder or lead will melt from the exhaust temperatures at the exhaust tips.

Has anyone used braze to fill in?

[Edward J.]

Re: Metal filling

Steve, lead flows easier onto the pipes, if theres aot of pitting the brazing will take forver.grinding the pipe also is a better idea, grinding may give the lead something to bite to.


Don't breath the dust of lead when sanding wear a 3M mask.and maybe wrap a old t-shirt around you face.

[Jean C.]

Re: Metal filling

Only a SWAG on my part, but I don't think the tips will get hot enough to melt lead that has a meltting point of 327.5 C (621.5 F).
Best regards,