Removing Seam Sealer
11-06-2014, 06:05 PM
#21
Safety Car
Thread Starter
YEAH...that extension is pretty wiped out. It can be repaired and made ...but if a panel is available...that may be the fastest way to get this bonding area repaired.
Now if this extension panel is $1000.00....I would fix this one....because I could spend a lot of time on this before I reached $1000 of my time. If this panel is $60.00.....I would replace it or even section it in if needed.
Knowing you know about laminating now and I do not know if you have used Vette Panel Adhesive yet...sectioning in this panel ( if needed) can be done. Normally I will install a panel as it was designed. But if I can cut a new panel ( NEVER an exterior panel)...section it to part of the existing panel that is still solid...and know that where I bond it I am actually making it stronger...and NOT weaker...I will do so....unless it is in a area that it can easily be seen and possibly judged.
DUB
Now if this extension panel is $1000.00....I would fix this one....because I could spend a lot of time on this before I reached $1000 of my time. If this panel is $60.00.....I would replace it or even section it in if needed.
Knowing you know about laminating now and I do not know if you have used Vette Panel Adhesive yet...sectioning in this panel ( if needed) can be done. Normally I will install a panel as it was designed. But if I can cut a new panel ( NEVER an exterior panel)...section it to part of the existing panel that is still solid...and know that where I bond it I am actually making it stronger...and NOT weaker...I will do so....unless it is in a area that it can easily be seen and possibly judged.
DUB
R
Last edited by SB64; 11-06-2014 at 06:12 PM.
06-25-2016, 09:26 PM
#22
Advanced
Firewall flange question
Also..are you planning on putting a one-piece hand laid front clip on...or another press-molded one on???? It 'kinda' makes a difference.
DO yourself a BIG favor and in very small spots...about 1/4" wide.....DO NOT grind all the adhesive off and down to the flange. Especially where you see GM got the adhesive really thick. You can always grind it down if needed...but what this does is makes s shim so the panel will stop...so when setting up the new panel.....you do not have to figure out the trick needed to create a stop....because the panel is going in too far.
ALSO...NOW is the time to address the area of the firewall in the upper/outer corners....where it will leak water. Due to having the front clip off...now is the BEST time to address this area.....unless you have not evidence of water leaking in the hinge posts.
DUB
06-26-2016, 05:24 PM
#23
Race Director
You say to leave some adhesive on there but I don't really understand why. Wouldn't you want the flange nice and flat? I attached a pic of my left side firewall with the adhesive on the flange. I have a feeling my front clip may have been removed in a hurry some 35 years ago but it is what I have to work with! Thanks, Chris
Read what I wrote again. I answered your question in that reply.
Every Corvette I do is different....and YES...some of the flanges have ALL of the adhesive removed due to it being so thin...SOME...do not.
If you feel what I am writing is a bunch of crap...that is fine....BUT when you go to set up your front clip and have issues with it and need advice....you may find my answers may be that you need to build up some material like a shim and get the clip set correctly....hence...why not all of the adhesive is removed.
Read what I wrote previously...I feel you missed it.
If you are going to be doing this and having a thread on your car....AND if you want my input....Private Message me and send me the link and I will check in and help when needed.
DUB
06-26-2016, 10:07 PM
#24
Advanced
Chris,
Read what I wrote again. I answered your question in that reply.
Every Corvette I do is different....and YES...some of the flanges have ALL of the adhesive removed due to it being so thin...SOME...do not.
If you feel what I am writing is a bunch of crap...that is fine....BUT when you go to set up your front clip and have issues with it and need advice....you may find my answers may be that you need to build up some material like a shim and get the clip set correctly....hence...why not all of the adhesive is removed.
Read what I wrote previously...I feel you missed it.
If you are going to be doing this and having a thread on your car....AND if you want my input....Private Message me and send me the link and I will check in and help when needed.
DUB
Read what I wrote again. I answered your question in that reply.
Every Corvette I do is different....and YES...some of the flanges have ALL of the adhesive removed due to it being so thin...SOME...do not.
If you feel what I am writing is a bunch of crap...that is fine....BUT when you go to set up your front clip and have issues with it and need advice....you may find my answers may be that you need to build up some material like a shim and get the clip set correctly....hence...why not all of the adhesive is removed.
Read what I wrote previously...I feel you missed it.
If you are going to be doing this and having a thread on your car....AND if you want my input....Private Message me and send me the link and I will check in and help when needed.
DUB
I will take your advice and start a thread on the body part of my project, beginning with the firewall. It is dis-bonded from the bird cage and some of the rivets are already broke or were cut at some point (not drilled out), and in general it needs some work, so I am going to remove the firewall and see what is going on back there. Thanks again Dub!, Chris
06-27-2016, 05:33 PM
#25
Race Director
Chris
ALL IS GOOD...
You wrote: re-read your answer and I think I have a better idea of what you mean.
But DO you understand what I wrote...because your reply uses the word 'think' and not the word KNOW
I have worked on Corvettes where the adhesive can be REALLY THICK..up to 1/2" +....and trying to build up a bead of adhesive that thick and then install a panel or whatever...because THAT can change how things are done also (so many variables to consider) that in some cases...taking off all the adhesive makes you having to work harder and yet will still end up with the same end result.
You will get this and I have all the confidence that you have the patience and stamina to follow through with this.
I will write this...that the photo that you posted on post #22....the adhesive you see on the edges can all be removed due to it not being that thick....it does get a bit thicker at the top corner ..but no big deal there. AND you can see that GM did not even use the full width of the flange.....BUT...in your photo...you can see the 3 rivets that hold this gusset panel to the birdcage...and how the rest of this panel is bonded in where needed.
IF your car were in my shop....THIS panel MUST come out....and that is becasue UNDER those 3 rivets is where you can get a leak due to poor sealants GM used.
If you need help in how to separate the bonded areas and NOT BREAK the panel..PM me or start your thread.
DUB
ALL IS GOOD...
You wrote: re-read your answer and I think I have a better idea of what you mean.
But DO you understand what I wrote...because your reply uses the word 'think' and not the word KNOW
I have worked on Corvettes where the adhesive can be REALLY THICK..up to 1/2" +....and trying to build up a bead of adhesive that thick and then install a panel or whatever...because THAT can change how things are done also (so many variables to consider) that in some cases...taking off all the adhesive makes you having to work harder and yet will still end up with the same end result.
You will get this and I have all the confidence that you have the patience and stamina to follow through with this.
I will write this...that the photo that you posted on post #22....the adhesive you see on the edges can all be removed due to it not being that thick....it does get a bit thicker at the top corner ..but no big deal there. AND you can see that GM did not even use the full width of the flange.....BUT...in your photo...you can see the 3 rivets that hold this gusset panel to the birdcage...and how the rest of this panel is bonded in where needed.
IF your car were in my shop....THIS panel MUST come out....and that is becasue UNDER those 3 rivets is where you can get a leak due to poor sealants GM used.
If you need help in how to separate the bonded areas and NOT BREAK the panel..PM me or start your thread.
DUB