filling the roof channels (With lead)

[rocco16v at netzero.net (L F)]

Mark is partially correct.  The body man would smooth the molten lead out, working with a torch and a hardwood paddle coated with beeswax.  He could only get it close before he had to go with a vixen file to finish it up.  I used to work in a custom shop (YEARS ago) and was fascinated watching these guys work,  the only thing more intriguing was working with the pinstripers  I still have my sword stripers!
(Okay, so it's more than you wanted to know....)
Larry

  I'm going to mention an old school technique here that I have yet to 
  master, so can't tell you how. That's using molten lead as a body filler. 
  It doesn't crack.

  As recently as the 1970s and maybe even in the 1980s,  higher end German 
  auto manufacturers used it as a technique to sculpt final fit of parts. 
  (USA manufacturers used it in the 50s.) A craftsman would apply molten lead 
  to an area needing filling and then use an insulated glove on his other 
  hand to to wipe it smooth.

  >
  >Mark Langford