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Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:19 pm

I posted this earlier in "paint and body", but got no reply...Mabey a dumb question but........I'm redoing the interior carpet in my 71 type 1. I noticed that some of the original seam sealer around the pans is starting to pull up a bit on the edges. Nothing big, but as long as the carpet is ripped up right now I may as well take care of everything (The PO may have used bath tub caulk for all I know). There are a few places I would like to touch up, nothing major, but in the corners of the pans by the pedals and along where the pan meets the firewall. I have some silicone bondsing adhesive that has worked on other projects, could I just use that after painting the floors and before applying sound deadening on top, or is "seam sealer" way better. It's just the interior and nothing major. What’s the difference? I can pick up a tube of seam sealer for 17.00 (10oz). I have the silicone at home. Thanks for the help.

John

Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:08 pm

The silicone will work fine as long as you never EVER have to paint it or anything near it.

Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:03 pm

silicone is a POOR choice for any environment where moisture can get behind the bonding surface.

If you want to save money use a poly urethane like Vulkem 116 by Tremco. Tremco makes something called Gutter seal that will probably work well for you if you can find some. They have a product locator on their site:

http://www.tremcosealants.com/commercial/products/product_detail.asp?id=37

Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:24 pm

This stuff is perfect to use as seam sealer. It seem to be an exact replacement of the automotive stuff.

Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:44 am

Lets not be crazy if you feel thatyour going to need seem sealer then use the right stuff at less than $10 including shipping it should be a no brainer. However if your going to paint it then use a sound dampener, depending on what kind of sound dampener your going to use then just use the dampener. The purpose of the the seam sealer is to prevent air and water from getting to the seams which the sounddampener if applied correctly would do. I would recomend using a paint on variety like that made by SecondSkin goes on like peanut butter and it is painted on easy install. Hope this helps.

Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:01 am

Check around,seems a bit much for 10OZ,i got a full size calk tube for -10$. If u putting in a hidden area,POLYSEAM SEAL,at H.D./Lowes etc is some tough stuff & stays stuck ,comes in a few colors,not so good to paint over.

Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:20 am

Thanks for the replies. I'm picking up some auto seam sealer today. If for nothing else, Peace of Mind. As always, thanks for the help. I'll post some pics of the process when I get the interior finished up in a couple weeks. Mabey sooner.

Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:22 am

I have found the seam sealer you get from the body shop is the best stuff for metal to metal . But professional quality gutter sealer or caulk with bitumen or butyl is great for sealing where it doesnt have to be pretty. The stuff is sticky and goooey and is permanent. If its not extremely sticky, and stringy and hard to work with its probably not the right stuff. Silicon ussually fail unless it has perfectly clean bonding surface...from experience.

Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:44 am

Talking about seam sealer, how is the best way to remove the stuff? Right now I am just scraping it off but it is slow going. Maybe take some dry ice to it and then scrape it?

Anyway I love the 3M Ultra seam sealer. It is flexible forever, paintable, non-dripping on verticle surfaces and brushes on like thick Peanut Butter.