I have uncovered the factory lead filled seams where the sail panels (rear quarter panels) meet the roof. I now need to skim over these seams to smooth them out. Is there special prep thats needed to go over the lead or can I just skim them with standard body filler?? Thanks, Mike M22

dont put filler over them, see this post http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum23/HTML/004258.html

I would not remove the leaded areas in your quarters, lead is a much better filler then bondo and much more stable so leave it in there. As for appling filler directly over the lead use an all metal filler. But if you are going to strip the roof down to bare metal, coat the bare metal with a wash primer first then an expoy primer. I dont like expoy over bare metal thats why I use the wash primer, its got better corrosion resistance then expoy and bites into the metal. With your quarters in a coat of expoy, scuff the expoy and apply your filler over the expoy. This way you dont have to use an all metal filler over the leaded areas you can just use a good filler like Rage.
Good luck with your project...Eric

Thanks for the replies! I didn't plan on removing the lead, but I roughed up the area because the previous paint had some bubbles in these area's. Can I use an all metal type filler over the lead?? The aluminum type ??

Thanks, Mike M22

Mike, my feelings about applying filler directly over bare metal be it steel or lead is bad. I would apply a wash primer first like ppg dx1791 then an expoy primer over the wash primer. Let the expoy set up for a day or two then scuff and put on the bondo. I personally like Rage by evercoat, but the all metal fillers do have their place. But if you wish the all metal filler will be fine over the lead, first just clean the bare metal areas real good first with lacquer thinner then clean it with a grease and wax remover. Continue using the wax remover until your rag is clean.
Good luck with your project...Eric

IMOP, the lead is very unstable, just look at cars in the sailpanel area next time at a cruise or show, look close and you will see the telltale bubbles that seem to form anywhere the lead is present, I alway melt the lead out, clean, etch and epoxy primer, and then a good quality filler in the area and have never had a problem with bubbles of adhesion.