Lead is truely a lost art, but, and as much as I admire the talent, it's not always the best way to go. Expense, toxicity, tools required, today it doesn't make sense. However, it still exists. So,if you're going to do it remember these few tips...never use a power wire brush bit to clean the base metal. It will deposit some of itself on the metal and make it nearly impossible to tin. Keep your tinning fluid in a small spritzer bottle. I always liked a product called "Ruby Fluid" for tinning. Use only cotton rags for wiping during the tinning process...polyester and nylon stuff also deposits itself on the work. Pay close attention to the tinned area making sure you've "boiled out" ALL of the tinning fluid or your work will rust out from behind in a couple years or less. Getting the idea that the tinning process is a major key to sucess? While a torch is the heat source of choice, once tinned, try a commercial grade heat gun for application of the lead filler. Lead melts at like 450deg give or take. A heat gun goes to 750+, or at least mine does. Very handy for final shaping, and less hazardous as well. The rest, well, if ya wanna make an omlette ya gotta break some eggs. Best neutalizer for tinning fluid is still water and baking soda. Use it liberally to clean the area. Use it until it stops "bubbling". I like distilled or purified water as it buys a little time before oxidation sets in. Have fun. I hope this was helpful.
