Bonding body panels?a

[ELVIS]

Anyone done it on a T3?

Not thinking about sticking a whole van together but there would be suitable panels, the front lower panel for example.

Commercially it would save time if you were doing a large panel job and have to put less time in due to distortion/filler work (and some replacement panels are pants anyway to start with)

Full coverage/coating on any seams returns would offer a very good level of protection compared to welding. Would also be able to paint/protect the backs of inaccessible panels better without the risk of the coverage being burnt off.

More and more manufacturers are using it (and although I appreciate they are in it for the money, they still have to pass safety/crash tests)

If you go on Thatcham website there is a list of insurance approved products.

There is a video knocking around somewhere of a new transit being tested, the skins ripped/tore before the bond gave out in a crash.

Just an idea, fancy doing one of my lower front panels with it (ok, when I say 'I' , I mean I make the tea for my body shop chap )

Ideas?

[Plasticman]

no reason why not on the lower front, not my choice but it works fine, i would question other areas though,and the bond is only as good as the integrity and cleanliness of each part , go for it (oh and the modern stuff is designed to be bonded so other considerations have been given regarding structural integrity etc so just cos a tranny does it dont mean an escort can no double puns intended)
mm

[ELVIS]

Was just throwing it out for ideas/opinions chap.

Have used it before and as long as both faces are spotlessly clean there arnt many issues TBH. The 3M stuff i have used is Thatcham approved but think there are a couple others.

Advantage on lower panel say, is that all surfaces (if applied correctly) are totally covered so less chance of water ingress etc over welding, the 'blind' faces can be totally sealed. Also some repro panels of lesser quality thats are pants fit already dont have extra heat but into them.

Will probably do the lower front panel of the doka and let you know how i get on. Its £55/60 for 200ml.

As you say, maybe using it on seatbelt mounts wouldnt be appropriate

[scottbott]

are you going to photo it as you do it?,would be interesting to see

[ELVIS]

yarp

[ELVIS]

Talking about it, might even order the panel tonight and chop the monkey out tomorrow

Hell, might even push the boat out and start a build thread of sorts for them both

[Dollytony]

What is the bonding product you are thinking of using?

[Plasticman]

bout time
mm

[ELVIS]

bout time
mm

can't rush a good thing. Started off as a few little bits here and there for an MOT and ended up with both rear arches, lower rears of front arches, bottom of B pillars, few small bits here and there and outer sills and rear valance.

Going for broke and doing front panel. Might as well do the lot prior to paint.

3M 08115.

Applicator nozzle is rifled,spiralled, twisty etc . Quite a work of art really. By the time it comes out the end the two tubes/parts are ready mixed.

[restoman]

I use something similar for bonding side panels on split screen buses etc.Done lots with great results
(0bviously spot welding along top & bottom seams)
As you said its used on repairing new stuff all the time, how else could you join all the different grades of material such as boron, high strength & ultra high strength steel,plus other alloys they use to get the weight down & keep the structural strength
It has its uses on t25 (T3) buses too, if used by somebody who knows a bit about when it should be welded & when it could possibly be bonded - which you obviously do!
I've never tried on a lower front panel though, I usually plug weld them, same as most do.
Will be interesting to see how it goes. Hardest bit will be getting a panel shaped to sit snugly all the way along at the bottom, as they usually need some
reshaping!

[nicq]

Have you seen the price of the applicator recomended 3m 08117
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... 7&_sacat=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ELVIS]

Have you seen the price of the applicator recomended 3m 08117
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... 7&_sacat=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes

200ml cartridges are £55/60 a pop aswell!

[nicq]

I don't think the cartridge is to bad, but by the time you add mixing tubes, bearing in mind the times you have to stop and restart needing a new mixing tube because it has started to go off and the applicator.
Not sure now.

[ELVIS]

Nah, you've got 90 mins to play with it. Can't remember spec sheet but might be up to four hours.

You can get a bog standard gun for £45 ish

[nicq]

If you are serious about bonding, look at 3M 9223 it is used by all F1 teams for bonding metal to carbon fiber etc.
It can just be mixed by weight and used.
Done correctly its as strong as the carbon fiber.
Nic