Seam Sealer Location and Application Time

[dfrandsen]

2 questions...

1. In the image, have I missed anywhere seam sealer should go?

2. I have heard good things about SEM seam sealer. It's instructions say to apply directly to metal. Looking in the forum, there seems to be a debate on if it should be DTM, or after primer, or after paint, then paint again... Anybody want to chime in and let me know how it went for them? Thanks!

[Chinaclipper]

[dfrandsen]

looks like that comes in a 30 oz can, have you found that 1 can will do the whole pan?

[viiking]

I've been doing a body-off resto of my Dad's 1968 and have been removing the original direct to metal seam sealer.

I'm not sure if I am lucky or not, but the metal is not corroded under the seam sealer. I'm sure there will be others who have the opposite experience.

In the restoration I have primered first then seam sealed then repainted over the seam sealer.

As far as I know the seam sealer was put direct to metal by VW due to convenience not necessarily functionality. To do paint first, then sealer, then repaint would require a "step-back" in the production line, something that VW would not have entertained.

What I cannot ascertain is whether the body was first dipped after assembly then seam sealed or seam sealed then dipped. I think the former is more likely.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[KAmes]

[quote="Chinaclipper"][quote]2 questions...

1. In the image, have I missed anywhere seam sealer should go?

2. I have heard good things about SEM seam sealer. It's instructions say to apply directly to metal. Looking in the forum, there seems to be a debate on if it should be DTM, or after primer, or after paint, then paint again... Anybody want to chime in and let me know how it went for them? Thanks!


I also like Eastwood seam sealer. It's great stuff and easy to apply, and looks somewhat similar to the original seam sealer. It does take paint nice. Get the kind in the can, the stuff Eastwood sells in cartridge tubes is a different product for a different use.

[Michael Ambrozik]

The area around the clutch/throttle tube you may want to put sealer around the tubes. All other locations shown in the pictures look good to put sealer. I also used the eastwood seam sealer in a can and I still have about 1/4 of the can left. I will need more when I finish sealing the body.

[Chinaclipper]