Weld or seam sealer

[67ster]

I am looking for some tips on a sealer to put between seams ( like that pink stuff ) to keep the moisture out . It needs to be paintable . Thanks

 

[74bronc]

[quote author=67ster link=board=5;threadid=13655;start=0#102676 date=1043467577]<br>I am looking for some tips on a sealer to put between seams ( like that pink stuff ) to keep the moisture out . It needs to be paintable . Thanks <br>[/quote]<br><br>Spot or plug weld the panel first and then use a seam sealer. 3M makes a killer seam sealer as well as many other companies. Just go to an autobody supply store and they will have what you need.

 

[Rusted1]

Someone in the past suggested Napa seam sealer sold at Napa auto parts. I bought and used a tube on some new metal replacement parts I installed, and it worked really well. It is also paintable and cost me around 8 bucks a tube.

 

[67ster]

Thanks guys , I'll check out the parts store in the AM . I am in the process of installing a storage box under the pass. seat and was going to plug weld it to the floor pan then the thought of our greatest enemy (RUST) crossed my mind .

 

[2badrotties]

Make sure it's urethane seam sealer. And yes the NAPA stuff works pretty well.

 

[rflud]

I too used the Napa stuff. It worked great. Too a long time to dry in this cold weather though.

 

[kuch68]

I am new to the whole replacement panel thing. I am planning on putting new floor pans in the bronco within the next couple months. I am a capable mig welder, but probably need a little more practice. But what is the deal with seam sealer? Are you saying that this takes the place of some welds? For instance on a floor pan, you would spot/plug weld across the floorpans where the support rails are, then what do you do along the edges of the tunnel cover, rocker panel etc?<br><br>thanks<br>

 

[74bronc]

[quote author=kuch68 link=board=5;threadid=13655;start=0#102733 date=1043507471]<br>I am new to the whole replacement panel thing. I am planning on putting new floor pans in the bronco within the next couple months. I am a capable mig welder, but probably need a little more practice. But what is the deal with seam sealer? Are you saying that this takes the place of some welds? For instance on a floor pan, you would spot/plug weld across the floorpans where the support rails are, then what do you do along the edges of the tunnel cover, rocker panel etc?<br><br>thanks<br><br>[/quote]<br><br>The seam sealer doesn't replace any welds at all. The correct way to do it would be to cut out all of the current spot welds, weld in the new panel using plug/spot welds and then seal all the seams with seam sealer. The reason for seam sealer is that rust likes to develop in the seams first and if they are not sealed, they will start rusting again. Another thing I recommend is to spray the panel with weld-through primer before welding in the new panel. That way there isn't any bare metal between the new floor pans and the support braces or anywhere else. Just a little more protection against rust.

 

[NicksTrix]

a good thing to do after you get the replacement panel in, got the top seams sealed up, is go underneath and run seam sealer in from the back of the joints where ever you can get to. if the area was cleaned before you started, you can shoot some undercoating over the area when done. if it's dirty, don't waste your time undercoating, it's won't last real long. if you can stop the moisture from coming into the joints from the backside, you will save yourself from alot of future rust. this is one reason why these trucks rust so bad in the first place.<br>when i replace panels i plug weld inner connection points, and stitch weld the edges in sections about 1 in long, every 4 inches or so. seal the unwelded areas afterwards. really strong,looks great when done!<br>good luck & have fun

 

[swood]

POR 15 makes a really good seam sealer as well.

 

[kuch68]

[quote author=NicksTrix link=board=5;threadid=13655;start=0#102822 date=1043536663]<br>a good thing to do after you get the replacement panel in, got the top seams sealed up, is go underneath and run seam sealer in from the back of the joints where ever you can get to. if the area was cleaned before you started, you can shoot some undercoating over the area when done. if it's dirty, don't waste your time undercoating, it's won't last real long. if you can stop the moisture from coming into the joints from the backside, you will save yourself from alot of future rust. this is one reason why these trucks rust so bad in the first place.<br>when i replace panels i plug weld inner connection points, and stitch weld the edges in sections about 1 in long, every 4 inches or so. seal the unwelded areas afterwards. really strong,looks great when done!<br>good luck & have fun<br>[/quote]<br><br>NicksTrix....<br> what do you do with the unwelded seams as far as making it look continuous? Do you fill it in with a little body filler, or do you just let it go. I am thinking about how it will look along the seam between floorpans and rocker panels.<br><br>thanks<br>

 

[67ster]

Body filler or bondo is not a good sealer , in fact that stuff on bare metal will start rust from the catalyst . It is best to at least prime the parts before welding and then use seam sealer to make the joint waterproof , it also smooths out the finish .

 

[77BroncoWag]

so in the joint/seam where the upper and lower rear panels come together what did the factory use? Is seam sealer the way to go? From what I understand the reason these rust at the seams is all the water and mud on the inside sits there and rusts from the inside out? Bad planning by ford there. :

 

[NicksTrix]

<br>NicksTrix....<br> what do you do with the unwelded seams as far as making it look continuous? Do you fill it in with a little body filler, or do you just let it go. I am thinking about how it will look along the seam between floorpans and rocker panels.<br><br>thanks<br><br> all i do aftyer welding it up, is prep it seal it and let it eat. the last truck i did was spray lined and it looked great. i plan to do another soon and will have it sprayed as well. with all the testure the coating has it's not noticeable.

 

[67ster]

I found some stuff called McKanica , it is a polyuretane based sealer that comes in a pressurized tube , it has a handle on it so you can control the flow and will work upside down , great for underneath seams. It's pricey but my paint man says its the best .

 

[sheriffandy013]

A couple of guys have touched on it in this post, but I was wondering what you would do to eliminte some of the lines in the bronco. Like the rear quater pannel to the upper, and the rear quater to the rear tail light section, stuff like that, any one here do that got pics? what would you use?

 

[67ster]

I think welding and filling would be the best way . Sealer would fill the gap but not even out the mis match of the panels . I've seen guys just spread bondo over seams but it will crack eventually .