alumaweld as seen on tv...

[Alexa]

Hello- Last week I saw an incredibly soothing infomercial for alumaweld and thought hmmmm would it work patching some of the holes on my series?
Anyone have any thoughts on this or ever used it? it's melting point is something like 700 degrees, would it be safe to use on the birmabright? Thanks!

 

[Reed]

I have used Alumiweld, and similar aluminum brazing/soldering rods on my 109. If you are careful with the surface prep it works fairly well.

However, I used it to repair some cracks on a fender where the paint is a little thin, (read non-existant) and the color and shine is not the same as the the aluminum panel, so that looks fairly ugly. But if you are going to paint over it you should have no problems. It can be filed and sanded pretty well, but it's hardness is a bit hardwer than the aluminum panel.

-Reed

 

[Alexa]

alumaweld

Thanks for the input Reed! So do you think this is something a novice should attempt? I will be repainting eventually so thats not a worry. When you were using it did you hear the soothing voice of that lady in your mind?

 

[Reed]

Alexa-

I am not sure I ever hear a soothing female voice when working on my series. Then again, I haven't seen the TV commercial. I found this stuff being sold at a flea market, then latter found that the better welding supply shops carry the stuff under various brand names.

What I would suggest for a "novice", and anybody else starting out with this stuff is to practice joining aluminum "beverage" cans togeather until you are sick of seeing Budwieser, and Coors transformeres walking around your house. (At least until you feel comfortable playing with it. Then move over to your Rover part.

The brazing sticks I have used also get harder with time, (after use) so if you need to file/grind down the excess on your repair, it is better to do it within a day of application, while the hardness is closer to the part you have repaired, rather than a month or so latter when the difference in hardness may make it difficult to control the metal removal.

Also cleanliness is really important when using it. clean the parts well, and prepare the surfaces with a stainless steel brush that has ONLY been used on Aluminum. (I wrap my bruss in Aluminum Foil when I store it to keep contamination down.


-Reed

 

[Alexa]

thanks Reed!

I will go over to Grainger and see if they sell the stuff as I hate paying shipping. Thanks for the advice.