What to use for panel bonding?

[RogerT]

A Question…

What’s the easiest/best/most reasonable bonding product to use for where the panel above the rear arch contacts the spacing/bracing sections?

[Aidan]

probably a polyurethane like sikaflex, seems to stick pretty well

[davidoft1]

Tiger seal , sikafex etc, make sure to buy a bonding sealer not just a sealer

[RogerT]

Ta both!

[sweetaswesty]

Actually if you’re talking about that bracing piece where it supports the panel then the proper stuff to use in that particular place I think is a butyl sealant which is what VW used in the first place, it was also used in between the horizontal bracing/supporting piece and the kitchen panel. Sikalastomer 710 is an example of the substance in a tube. In the vw repair manual it says place non hardening sealing tape in this location ie butyl tape which is not as readily available in the right width and thickness as the tube option. It’s not meant to be the kind of permanent fixed bond you would get with a polyurethane sealant.

[RogerT]

Hmm, the plot thickens…

What was originally there had definitely hardened, but it was 34yrs old so that’s fair enough. I’ll consider…

[RogerT]

Had a look at my pdf of the body repair manual (why didn’t I do that first??) and it does indeed say non hardening sealing tape.

[bat]

I think I know why, but I am going to ask anyway.
Why isn’t it welded?
 
Regards Gary

 

[RogerT]

Not completely sure, but I think there’s just no need for welding there. Other large panels have bracing that isn’t welded too. E.g. the fridge panel and the one above it (if not cut for a window).

Anyway, I’ve ordered some as suggested by sweetaswesty.

[ZsZ]

I think I know why, but I am going to ask anyway.
Why isn’t it welded?
 
Regards Gary

Because the spotwelds would be visible on the outside. Would look a bit strange there.

[HarryMann]

I think I know why, but I am going to ask anyway.
Why isn’t it welded?
 
Regards Gary

 

Well because they weren’t going for pure rigidity… but just needed compliant support. Also, the sequence of assembly/build process comes into it… as Zoltan says, spotting to an outside panel involves other considerations