Panel Bonding material
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
From: Ball Ground GA
Panel Bonding material
Prepping do to some bonding, pulled out a can of bonding material I had on the shelf and found the DOM was 2.5 yrs, and they recommend 12 months . Went to the local auto body supply store, all they had was a 2 part 3M product, need a special gun etc. Anyone have an experience with this type of bonding system? What other materials are out there that a novice can use and not get into trouble?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,511
Likes: 1,954
From: Plano IL
2026 Corvette of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Winner
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
what are you working on ?
What are you bonding together?
To me - depends on where it is and what kind of strength you need from the part.
What are you bonding together?
To me - depends on where it is and what kind of strength you need from the part.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 724
From: Fountain Hills Arizona
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you are bonding original fiberglass panels, I would recommend Axson APF 7 black. That is what Sermersheims uses to jig up front clips and it is the best product I have ever used. I can modify the mix to make it set quick or take a while depending on what I am using it for. It is nice and stiff, not runny like some of the crap out there, and is easy to sand if you use it as filler. You can buy it in quart or gallon cans on line, just Google it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,151
Likes: 480
From: "You may all go to Hell- and I will go to Texas- Davy Crockett
St. Jude Donor '12
Prepping do to some bonding, pulled out a can of bonding material I had on the shelf and found the DOM was 2.5 yrs, and they recommend 12 months . Went to the local auto body supply store, all they had was a 2 part 3M product, need a special gun etc. Anyone have an experience with this type of bonding system? What other materials are out there that a novice can use and not get into trouble?
Last edited by vettsplit 63; Aug 21, 2017 at 12:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
From: Ball Ground GA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,511
Likes: 1,954
From: Plano IL
2026 Corvette of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Winner
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
ah
Ok
First are the back sides and edges press molded (smooth) or rough (look like random fibers)
Are you going for a restoration and judging or just a good driver and accurately put together.
Reason I am asking, different materials will perform differently
Some materials will "flow" faster than others and will look differently than factory
- first step would be to mock up all the panels - and make sure everything lines up - hood, doors, etc...
This takes ALOT of measuring / cutting / sanding/ fitting etc....
If you have already done this you already know what it takes to get it ready to bond on
if you are ready to bond - make sure to rough up all the mating surfaces with at least 80 grit - you want a good scratch in both surfaces
If you are looking to match the factory squeeze out look and appearance
there are several products you can use.
Vette Panel Adhesive, Glasin, 3m, Fusor, etc.....
Some have longer working times than others -
I use VPA and Glasin
VPA sort of looks factory but is a little thinner
both are super strong.
Do not use body filler to bond them together.
Ok
First are the back sides and edges press molded (smooth) or rough (look like random fibers)
Are you going for a restoration and judging or just a good driver and accurately put together.
Reason I am asking, different materials will perform differently
Some materials will "flow" faster than others and will look differently than factory
- first step would be to mock up all the panels - and make sure everything lines up - hood, doors, etc...
This takes ALOT of measuring / cutting / sanding/ fitting etc....
If you have already done this you already know what it takes to get it ready to bond on
if you are ready to bond - make sure to rough up all the mating surfaces with at least 80 grit - you want a good scratch in both surfaces
If you are looking to match the factory squeeze out look and appearance
there are several products you can use.
Vette Panel Adhesive, Glasin, 3m, Fusor, etc.....
Some have longer working times than others -
I use VPA and Glasin
VPA sort of looks factory but is a little thinner
both are super strong.
Do not use body filler to bond them together.
Last edited by csherman; Aug 21, 2017 at 01:50 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 78
From: montague michigan
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Prepping do to some bonding, pulled out a can of bonding material I had on the shelf and found the DOM was 2.5 yrs, and they recommend 12 months . Went to the local auto body supply store, all they had was a 2 part 3M product, need a special gun etc. Anyone have an experience with this type of bonding system? What other materials are out there that a novice can use and not get into trouble?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer