Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
schwabd1
Posts: 255
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:26 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Schwab
Location: Northwest Ohio

Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by schwabd1 » Sun May 18, 2025 6:29 pm

I have a set of '26 roadster sill plates that are semi decent except for a couple cracks. Is zinc repairable?


Allan
Posts: 6609
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by Allan » Sun May 18, 2025 7:30 pm

It will not weld. It won't take solder. You may be is to back it with some shim brass and use epoxy/JB weld to hold the shim in place. Others may have better ideas.

Allan from down under.


Mike Silbert
Posts: 76
Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:30 pm
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Silbert
Location: Sykesville Md
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by Mike Silbert » Sun May 18, 2025 10:54 pm

While I have never used this product I have know about it for years.
https://www.muggyweld.com/product/super-alloy-1/

It works on Zinc and Pot metal alloys.
But I would use a backer plate to keep cracks away in the future.
No matter what it is, the chrome platers use a filler product to repair the pinholes, cracks, and defects in pot metal before plating.

User avatar

varmint
Posts: 838
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:02 pm
First Name: Vernon
Last Name: Worley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: October 26, 1926 Coupe
Location: New Orleans, LA
Contact:

Re: Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by varmint » Mon May 19, 2025 7:54 am

I confirm what Allan said. I tried welding zinc and it did not go so well.
What zinc does well at is forming to a mold, even more so than aluminum. I suppose you could research any safety concerns about re-pouring zinc into a mold that is made from the piece itself.
Vern (Vieux Carre)


Jerry VanOoteghem
Posts: 4082
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
First Name: Jerry
Last Name: Van
Location: S.E. Michigan

Re: Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Mon May 19, 2025 10:37 am

varmint wrote:
Mon May 19, 2025 7:54 am
I confirm what Allan said. I tried welding zinc and it did not go so well.
What zinc does well at is forming to a mold, even more so than aluminum. I suppose you could research any safety concerns about re-pouring zinc into a mold that is made from the piece itself.
The sill plate is a stamping, not a casting.

User avatar

Shrshot
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:38 pm
First Name: Kent
Last Name: Palazzo
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Tudor
Location: Algoma, WI

Re: Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by Shrshot » Mon May 19, 2025 3:06 pm

varmint wrote:
Mon May 19, 2025 7:54 am
I confirm what Allan said. I tried welding zinc and it did not go so well.
What zinc does well at is forming to a mold, even more so than aluminum. I suppose you could research any safety concerns about re-pouring zinc into a mold that is made from the piece itself.
Vernon, Did you try TIG welding zinc? I have TIG welded it a few times. Tricky but doable. Set my Tig machine to AC like welding aluminum and using a non-ferrous filler rod is key. Preheating slightly seems to allow it to take the weld. A very fine line between a nice weld and total disaster. lol


big2bird
Posts: 452
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:57 pm
First Name: Jeffrey
Last Name: Hausey
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Early 23 Touring
Location: Anaheim, Ca.
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by big2bird » Mon May 19, 2025 6:07 pm

I use Muggyweld to repair Winfield cracks. Great stuff. Low temp, like soldering. As for you sill plates, it just depends on the repair.


John kuehn
Posts: 4433
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Re: Can cracked zinc sill plates be repaired?

Post by John kuehn » Tue May 20, 2025 9:15 am

Allan has the simplest repair idea that works. I have a 24 Coupe that has the zinc/aluminum sill plates and using the method that Allan spoke about is the best way for cracks in this application. It will last as long you own and drive your car and beyond.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic