Lead Flashing with Tar Residue [Archive]

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43spanish

11-09-2011, 01:56 AM

Hey, I just acquired some very soft lead which looks like flashing. It has a bit of tar/caulk attached. Can I simply melt this and skim off the impurities? Maybe the tar will burn off? What is your experience in this?

geargnasher

11-09-2011, 02:10 AM

Tar makes good flux.

Gear

badbob454

11-09-2011, 03:00 AM

heat it up when it smokes light it ....mix it up, and skim off the ash

sqlbullet

11-09-2011, 11:27 AM

That is self-fluxing lead. Works great!

docone31

11-09-2011, 11:40 AM

When it gets cooler, it just snaps off.
I melt mine in a pot on an hot plate. My asphalt does not melt, it clumps. I have to spoon it out and toss it.
Makes a mess, but worth the lead.

geargnasher

11-09-2011, 09:31 PM

If it's really old roofing lead, it might be coated with pine pitch rather than petroleum tar, the pitch works so well you'll want to save some for your casting pot!

Gear

WHITETAIL

11-13-2011, 10:07 AM

Just toss it in the smelting pot and stir it in.
this is free flux.:Fire: