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Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:19 pm

Hi,
I applied seam sealer to my bay the other day (the joins going down the outer body). The sealer finish wasnt great, it's all uneven - is there a knack to applying the sealer correctly? I masked the area either side of the join and the stuff I used was Sikaflex for auto bodies. It didnt appear to spread out evenly and smooth even though I used thinners on a rag to try and smooth it...
Cheers

Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:16 pm

For seam sealing body joints like your doing I like to use a q-tip and dip it in paint thinner then use it to flow it out and smooth it over! The take a rag with Jenner and wipe off any excess that is on the outer body panels. I hope this makes sense?

Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:47 pm

Sometimes the trick is too use a cloth that is REALLY wet with lacquer thinners and to smooth it out in long passes.
With some seam sealers, nothing seems to work well.

Mike

Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:04 pm

Depends on the kind of sea sealer your using. Some seam sealer don't react good to thinner but most do. What I like to do is get a good short paint brush cut the fibers short so it a little stiffer. Get a spray bottle put precleaner in it to spray on the seam sealer after you brush it. try not to work to big of a area at the same time. Aply sealer and then quickly brush it well it's stil fresh continue around what your sealing. After your done brushing it all spry it with precleaner let it set in for a couple minutes if it doesn't flow out on its own spray it again and wet your figure and lightly rub it smooth.

Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:46 pm

noasx250 - is the brush used to level out the sealer? I'll try that tonight. This will be the second time ive removed the sealer to get a neater finish - ill get there!

Wed Mar 06, 2013 8:19 pm

Yes the brush is for that

Wed Mar 06, 2013 8:44 pm

i agree with canadianbug. i used 3M heavy bodied seam sealer and was quite pleased with it

Wed Mar 06, 2013 8:59 pm

Seam Sealer, Acid Brush, Lacquer Thinner, Rubber gloves....

The seam sealer I used came in a caulk style tube for application. It was applied like caulk, then the acid brush was used to "push" it into the seams.
(you can get acid brushes at most hardware stores and "harbor freight" or your auto body supply store)
Brush marks are usually factory looking depending on the auto manufacturer. If you want a smooth appearance, wet the tip of your finger in the rubber glove with the lacquer thinner and gently smear it before it starts to "skin" over... you can tell when you see the haze in the seam sealer...it will appear glossy, when fresh, and get dull once it starts to skin.

You can see the items in the photo below.

And here's the end result...

69 Beetle IRS pan in Mango Green with air ride.

Link to my build...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=477711&highlight=rust2rods