[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by tjs72lemans

Many cars at that area develop problems. And it's not from too much torque. Over time, just the lead itself can develop issues with bonding to the original metal under it. I bought a 72 vert Lemans that had new paint on it and never been driven (no motor in). The rear lead on both sides had a crack just from the guy trailering from Kentucky to WI. The guy never painted the hood or passenger door as well as valances, so I ground the lead out. I made steel patches to weld in and skim over that and repainted whole car. 2500 miles and no cracks.

I'm pretty sure that's what my body guy (old timer) did on my 'bird, removed the lead and welded a plate/cover in. He was saying that's a better way than lead and I figured he knows.

Had a guy in the early 80s that was very good at leading in the roof/quarter mating area and it lasted about 6 years and started to show. He had done 100s of cars and even he said it will always start to show in time. Mine shrank some too and became wavy. There was a hairline crack in the skim coat.

But, after that, it stayed like that and didn't get worse for over 30 years.


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