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Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:11 pm

I am replacing the panels in my Standard. I have mostly the OG panels but had to go with repops from TMI on the front door. I know that VW didn't seal the original masonite panels and I'm guessing that's why the buckle out.

Has anyone ever sealed the inner part of the masonite? If so what did you use?

Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:12 pm

use rust bullet / por15 etc to seal them

Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:14 pm

Kommercial wrote: use rust bullet / por15 etc to seal them On masonite? :? Are you sure?

Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:17 pm

Yes, Im sure. The rough side will soak it in, and since its waterproof its a perfect selection.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:18 pm

Gosh, the masonite is so porous that it would be pretty expensive to do that, I would think.

I was originally thinking tung oil but maybe just several coats of spray paint in a clear would do the trick.

Or maybe I'm just being anal??

Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:53 pm

Personally, I use products designed for use on wood, when sealing wood. POR15 is great (expensive) stuff, and i've used it quite a bit (on metal). I think there are plenty of less expensive, effective products at home depot meant to seal wood. to each his own.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:29 pm

Do you guys think that it's even worth messing with? Given the fact that we normally get the amount of rain that we get up here in Northern Orygun.

Oh and I do plan on putting plastic sheeting for the front doors. :wink:

Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:34 pm

Major Woody wrote: Hi JerryJ,
We use roofing tar on the back of all of our panels. It waterproofs and quiets them down as well.
Major&Woody

Hey M&W! Funny you should mention it as I was just thinking about that. :roll:

Since you live somewhere close I'm sure that you've dealt with panel warping.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:51 pm

I used a brush on polyurethane finish on masonite door panels a LONG time ago on my 1970 beetle to waterproof the panel. Cheap enough and worked fine.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:17 pm

Jerry J wrote: Major Woody wrote: Hi JerryJ,
We use roofing tar on the back of all of our panels. It waterproofs and quiets them down as well.
Major&Woody

Hey M&W! Funny you should mention it as I was just thinking about that. :roll:

Since you live somewhere close I'm sure that you've dealt with panel warping.

Jerry I have to tell you that we have so much moisture here that I cover every side of everything with a good impenetrable sealant. In seriousness, I would use a latex exterior primer and a latex exterior topcoat on the back of all the panels. It is flexible yet should block moisture from getting to the masonite.
I would not use tar. That was a joke.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:42 pm

I use a plastic sheet under the front door panels. VW used a wax paper sheet there in the splitties, and plastic in the later buses. The doors are designed so water runs through them, so you really should do something there. I haven't water proofed any other panels, and I live in Oly, WA. (It's the Water.) They seem to have held up for years. The only problem I had is rust seeping into the wood panels I put in the sides of my westy in 98 from re-using the og screws without aseptically cleaning them. :oops:

But it could only help to moisture seal them.

I use roofing tar under my window seals :P :P :P

Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:20 pm

polyurethane would be my first choice, its waterproof and will soak in nicely. latex primer sounds good too

Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:31 pm

Why not Thompson's Water Seal. That would definitely keep the water out. I used to put it on my Decks when I skated just incase I got stuck in the rain on the way home.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:07 pm

Just a note, especially for my friend Dave who likes to use materials made for wood :) - por15 website specifically mentions:

"Use to waterproof insulation or wood"
"Use as a bonding agent on wood or styrofoam"

It also specifically mentions using it to coat "Old cardboard interior pieces" (automotive).

Regardless of what you use wether por15/rustbullet/water seal/paint, I would do like Clara mentioned and put wax paper like original.

they warp just from humidity here in az with no coating. Ronnie sells some great og style panels with fiberglass imbedded. Tough as nails.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:34 pm

I read that Ronnie's panels are also the closest available match to the OG. I am going to be able to reuse all of mine except the doors which were missing, so I'll definitely be going to Ronnie for door panels this summer.

Will I need to coat these like the backs of the birch panels?

Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:35 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. All really great ideas except for the roofing tar. That stuff stinks. So I guess I ain't nuts thinking this is a good thing to do. I wonder why VW didn't do this in the first place.

I just picked up a couple of cans of Krylon clear acrylic spray. It's cheap and application is pretty straight forward.

I'll start with that. And I need to pick up stainless steel screws so I hopefully won't have to worry about rust.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:05 pm

I would us good old BIN a white pigmated shelac it will give you a water vapor barer seal. and never peel of the masonite. Plus it has a million use around the home for priming things.
That just my thoughts But what do I no about paint!

ps I paint for a living

Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:16 pm

Kommercial wrote: Just a note, especially for my friend Dave who likes to use materials made for wood :) - por15 website specifically mentions:

"Use to waterproof insulation or wood"
"Use as a bonding agent on wood or styrofoam"

It also specifically mentions using it to coat "Old cardboard interior pieces" (automotive).

Regardless of what you use wether por15/rustbullet/water seal/paint, I would do like Clara mentioned and put wax paper like original.

they warp just from humidity here in az with no coating. Ronnie sells some great og style panels with fiberglass imbedded. Tough as nails. Learn something new everyday!. Was'nt saying you were wrong, just that POR15 is pricey, my friend kommercial. I stand corrected. 8) I asked if you were sure, and you sure are sure.