TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Oct 08, 2017 9:19 am

Does anybody know what the thick black tar-like putty or sealant is that VW used in various places? -- e.g. to seal the sharply angled crook of the "Y"-shaped heater channels under the rear seats, or to cover up the dashboard grille tabs where they poke through into the front trunk area, etc. it's kind of both rubbery and sticky / tar-like substance of some sort -- ??

I had to remove the old material from few places in my 1971 Beetle while painting, and now need something same or similar to replace it at those locations.

Sun Oct 08, 2017 9:37 am

Butyl Rubber?

https://www.amazon.com/Butyl-Rubber-Sealant-Multi-Adhesive/dp/B01IRECH9M

Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:15 am

You are looking for seam sealer available at any auto paint and supply store.

Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:28 am

Modern seam sealer will work perfect. I'm pretty sure the pans seams were sealed with hot tar back in the day when they installed the tar boards. I remember chipping that up when I removed the pans on my 69'

Sun Oct 08, 2017 11:15 am

Ok, thank you! So do the modern seam sealer products come out thick enough where you could, say, knead and mold into shape w/ your fingers? That's about the consistency of what I removed -- still sticky and mold-able (probably bit more sticky and softer when new). This stuff was stiff enough to bridge the roughly quarter inch gap at crook of the under-seat heater duct Y pipes, for example.

Sun Oct 08, 2017 11:38 am

baldessariclan wrote: Ok, thank you! So do the modern seam sealer products come out thick enough where you could, say, knead and mold into shape w/ your fingers? That's about the consistency of what I removed -- still sticky and mold-able (probably bit more sticky and softer when new). This stuff was stiff enough to bridge the roughly quarter inch gap at crook of the under-seat heater duct Y pipes, for example.

There's different versions of the seam sealer. I'd go to an automotive paint supply house and let them know what you need.

Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:34 am

I used TEROSON RB IX but I have no idea if this stuff is available in the USA...

Thu Oct 12, 2017 11:58 pm

Another option is 3M strip caulk, though it is slighter softer.

Sat Oct 21, 2017 2:09 pm

I actually use roof repair sealent from home depot on my 72 super beetle. It comes in a big tube for chalking gun I think I paid a little less than $3. It is messy though and it takes long to dry but worked for me.

Sat Oct 21, 2017 2:13 pm

Do not use tar, it will become sticky and run when exposed to the heat of the heater, and stink peeyou!. use chaulking such as suggested, Butyl or such, but never tar on the heater system.