Welding Pot metal VS. Soldering
The Differences Between Pot Metal Welding Verses Soldering Explained
Welding Pot Metal Vs. Soldering?
Obviously if your pot metal part is exposed to vibration, or is a mechanical part that is used to operate another mechanical part such as a window crank, claimant control lever, distributor or carburetor, headlamp bucket, grille, wing window frame, emblem hood ornament, etc. you’d be far better off with a welded repair.
Pot metal welding or soldering? Which process would you perfer?
Advantages, Disadvantages of Welding Pot Metal And Soldering
Soldering Pot Metal
Pot metal repair via flux & solder is very similar to that of using a hot glue gun to stick items together. The only difference? With soldering, flux must be applied for cleaning while the two parts are heated to the solder’s melting point, roughly 350°. Pot metal repair by soldering is very easy however if you plan to re-plate, you will run into issues when presented to your chrome shop… For starters, the existing plating must be stripped due to the acid bath/electro “de-stripping” process which removes the chrome, nickel and copper, but everything else including solder! The rest is self explainatory.
Welding Pot Metal
Pot metal welding is by far the favorable way to go with pot metal repair. Unlike soldering which IS a form of Gluing, with welding pot metal, two or more pieces are fused together making them one piece creating a very strong and resilient to the plating process!
Pot metal welding also allows the repair to be done immediately without the need for a trip to the chrome shop for subsequent stripping. This alone will save you time and money.
Pot Metal Welding
- stronger than the exiting base metal
- Re-plating hassle free
- No additional trips to chrome shop saving time and money
- Returns pot metal parts back to original condition
Pot Metal Soldering
- Quick and easy
- Perform with small propane torch
- Great for quick repairs if strength isn’t an issue, and is to be painted.
- Subsequent trip to chrome shop prior to repair
- Expensive replating costs due to special attention needed
- No where near as strong as the base metal
- etc, etc.
The Man, The Talent
James Ruther, the Innovator of solving this century old problem of Pot Metal Welding.
James Ruther
Expert in Pot Metal Welding, Modification and Fabrication.
Happy Customers
“Hi James, I received the part back today. Job well done! I’m very pleased with the work! I referred your name to the body man that is working on my car and he said he would send work your way when he had the need for pot metal welding.
Thanks again.”
Dennis M.
“…I’m more than pleased. And although I don’t hope to have damaged pot metal pieces in the future, if and when I do, without a doubt, I will contact James with confidence assured that his work will be worth the time and investment.” Read Full Testimonial…
Tim & Jamie Saloff Antiques
Tim Saloff
Full Service Pot Metal Repair
Satisfaction Guaranteed
