Looking for Black Sealant Used on Body Panels | FerrariChat
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Looking for Black Sealant Used on Body Panels

Discussion in '308/328' started by furmano, Apr 10, 2011.

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  1. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 22, 2004
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    #1 furmano, Apr 10, 2011
    Does anyone know where to find the soft black sealant material used between some of the body panels?

    The example everyone probably knows about is that black line between the rear fender and the side buttress behind the 'C' pillar.

    It looks similar to a silicone but it seems to be softer than the stuff found at home improvement stores. Let me know if anyone has been able to locate the stuff or a good equivalent.

    Thanks,

    -F
     
  2. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    #2 Glassman, Apr 10, 2011
    It is either silicone or polyurethane sealant. But get a good one not from Home Depot, and get specifically Structural Silicone. I would suggest Tremco Spectrum 1 or 2, or Dow Corning 995 in tube. You will need to solvent wipe before sealing for good adhesion. For either sealant visit their websites for dealers. Almost any Glazing Contractor will have one or the other in stock in black.
     
  3. Mike Florio

    Mike Florio Formula Junior

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    #3 Mike Florio, Apr 10, 2011
  4. XTREMEIND

    XTREMEIND Formula 3

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    #4 XTREMEIND, Apr 11, 2011
    DO NOT USE ANY SILICONE BASED PRODUCTS TO SEAL BODY PANELS!! It will cause problems when exterior paint is applied, use a black polyurethane type sealant eg: Sikaflex.
    If you want it to be soft like the original you need to use a caulking compound which is made by Bostik. My preference is to use the polyurethane as it will last for ever but be aware that it expands as it dries so you only need to apply enough to have it just touching each surface when it's applied and it will expand and bond as it dries. The polyurethane and the caulking compound are both paintable products.

    Cheers.
     
  5. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #5 furmano, Apr 11, 2011
    My main goal is to find a sealant that has very similar properties to the original sealant. The original material is very soft and has a LOT of flexibility. It is NOT stiff.

    I don't know if the original sealant is a urethane or a silicone. I'm guessing it's a urethane as I don't think silicones were widely used in the automotive industry in the 70's and 80's, but I could be wrong.

    The original sealant was applied to body panels that were already painted so whatever it is/was, it has to bond to painted metal.

    I have put a word out to b27 who did a top-down restoration on his 308 to ask his restorer what he used.

    XTREMEIND, did you work on b27's 308?

    -F
     
  6. ramosel

    ramosel Formula 3

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    #6 ramosel, Apr 11, 2011
  7. kafugelum308

    kafugelum308 Formula Junior

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    #7 kafugelum308, Apr 11, 2011
  8. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    #8 Glassman, Apr 11, 2011
    You are correct. paint does not stick to silicone. It does stick to Urethane. You seal the joint after painting. I would use structural silicone. It carries a 10 year warranty!!!!!!!
     
  9. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #9 furmano, Apr 11, 2011
    Actually, this is different than strip caulk, which is also used around the window frames.

    What I am talking about is the stuff that makes the black line between the fender and the 'C' pillar panel. You can clearly see this line on a red car.

    -F
     
  10. kafugelum308

    kafugelum308 Formula Junior

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    #10 kafugelum308, Apr 11, 2011
    Yes I know. Why dont you think it will work? The "line" between a euro bumper and body is the same type of C pillar seam. Takes a little work and using less of the strip. A little thinner and you can get just the line you need. Give it a ry. It is reversible.
     
  11. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #11 furmano, Apr 11, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2011
    In certain locations around the window I'll be using the 3M strip caulk. I think that is the modern equivalent of the Dum Dum putty.

    But I think this other stuff is different. It's soft but not pliable like putty, it doesn't take a set. If you push on it it flexes, but it bounces back after you release pressure.

    On my 328 GTB, this stuff, in addition to the putty, was used in certain areas between the window frame and the body, specifically between the 'B' pillar of the car and the 'B' pillar of the window frame and other locations.

    I will likely buy a tube each of the promising candidates and report back to what appears to be the closest match.

    -F
     
  12. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

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    #12 b27, Apr 11, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

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    #13 Futureman, Apr 12, 2011
    Furman,
    How's the window fix coming? I hope you are taking lots of pictures and notes to create a tech write up for all us other GTBers with the same issue. ;)
     
  14. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
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    #14 308nut, Apr 12, 2011
    The original sealant used is called Cosmoline, and can be found at auto parts stores


    Wade
     
  15. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #15 furmano, Apr 12, 2011
    Thank you to everyone who has given me advice on some sealants. There appears to be a lot of options. As I mentioned before, I'll buy some tubes and review and get back to everyone.

    The job is going well. I have removed everything, thankfully without breaking anything. It was a difficult job and there were times when I felt like I was destroying my car, which aside from the leak and shelf stains, is in pretty good condition, a 90-95 point car.

    I think this is one of those jobs where putting things back together will be easier than taking them apart. I have taken several pictures throughout and have taken mental notes of what tools to use where. I will start a new thread describing the process in the next few weeks or so.

    Also, let me take this time to thank viper_driver who has helped me every step of the way.

    -F
     
  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 BigTex, Apr 12, 2011
    That's how it should look....black, not painted.
     
  17. XTREMEIND

    XTREMEIND Formula 3

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    #17 XTREMEIND, Apr 13, 2011
    The sealant used there on Bretts car is Sikaflex 227, the most common sealant/ adhesive used in the automotive and marine industry. It does dry harder than the original stuff but is still very flexible and will last many years longer.
     
  18. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

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    #18 b27, Apr 15, 2011
    I'm so happy to see a 27 in there Glen. :D
     
  19. pdf308

    pdf308 Formula Junior

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    #19 pdf308, May 14, 2011
    VHT Wrinkle Finish Aerosol
     
  20. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #20 furmano, Oct 29, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I finally had a chance to review different sealants and document the results.

    I reviewed Tremco Spectrum 1 Silicone, DAP Dynaflex 230 PU, Sikaflex 227 PU and Eastwood EW Seam Sealer PU, shown below from softest to hardest, left to right.

    The appearance of the Sikaflex has the closest match to the original sealant but I felt it was too hard. Though the Tremco was rather glossy, I chose to use it because of the softness. The area I used it on (inside the rear quarter window) was not visible so I could live with the texture mismatch.

    The DAP had both a close match in appearance and was soft but it seemed to have had bad adhesion. My test could have affected the results.

    Sikaflex makes a soft PU sealant, Sikaflex 219 LM which likely would be a very close match to the original sealant. I tried to locate single tubes of Sikaflex 219 LM but I only found them being sold in larger lots.

    The Eastwood product dried very hard and I wouldn't recommend it.

    -F
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  21. lostbowl

    lostbowl Formula 3

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    #21 lostbowl, Oct 29, 2011

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