Firewall Bonding Adhesive
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Firewall Bonding Adhesive
I'm finally ready to bond my firewall to the birdcage. I usually use Marine-tex whenever I bond a panel in place, but this area calls for another product. Marine-tex dries too hard and is going to be too brittle in this area.
I need a product that is flexible, paintable (with no swelling affects on primer/paint once it is covered) and finally it needs to dry fairly hard. I don't care if I need an application gun to apply it - I have tons of those at work which I could borrow. Please only comment if you have actually used the product before.
I need a product that is flexible, paintable (with no swelling affects on primer/paint once it is covered) and finally it needs to dry fairly hard. I don't care if I need an application gun to apply it - I have tons of those at work which I could borrow. Please only comment if you have actually used the product before.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 7
From: Coralville Iowa
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
I used a combination of Lord Fusor 128EZ and premium quality polyurethane based construction adhesive (http://www.loctiteproducts.com/tds/PL_CA_PREM_tds.pdf ) on mine.
I bonded all fiberglass to fiberglass areas with Fusor only. Where fiberglass bonded to steel I used both the 128 EZ and construction adhesive. This was mainly to save a bit of cost since at $35 a tube the Fusor is really expensive. The Fusor material is super strong so you don't need more than a single bead of it to hold the firewall in place. However, the contact surfaces around the birdcage and door pillars are pretty big and I wanted to have the firewall fully seated in adhesive to prevent water from getting in and causing rust. So, first I first ran a bead of Fusor along one side of the contact surface. Next, I ran 2-3 beads of construction adhesive where needed to cover the rest of the bonding surfaces.
In reality, I think the construction adhesive alone would probably be strong enough, but I figure the combination of Fusor and construction adhesive was probably a good 'belt and suspenders approach'.
I've also used 3M materials, but mainly have used Fusor because I've found it to be a bit more affordable. A tube of comparable 3M and Fusor products costs about the same, but you get quite a bit more Fusor product in each cartridge.
I bonded all fiberglass to fiberglass areas with Fusor only. Where fiberglass bonded to steel I used both the 128 EZ and construction adhesive. This was mainly to save a bit of cost since at $35 a tube the Fusor is really expensive. The Fusor material is super strong so you don't need more than a single bead of it to hold the firewall in place. However, the contact surfaces around the birdcage and door pillars are pretty big and I wanted to have the firewall fully seated in adhesive to prevent water from getting in and causing rust. So, first I first ran a bead of Fusor along one side of the contact surface. Next, I ran 2-3 beads of construction adhesive where needed to cover the rest of the bonding surfaces.
In reality, I think the construction adhesive alone would probably be strong enough, but I figure the combination of Fusor and construction adhesive was probably a good 'belt and suspenders approach'.
I've also used 3M materials, but mainly have used Fusor because I've found it to be a bit more affordable. A tube of comparable 3M and Fusor products costs about the same, but you get quite a bit more Fusor product in each cartridge.
Last edited by Maine Vette; Nov 21, 2010 at 10:59 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 44
From: flemington n.j.
I'm finally ready to bond my firewall to the birdcage. I usually use Marine-tex whenever I bond a panel in place, but this area calls for another product. Marine-tex dries too hard and is going to be too brittle in this area.
I need a product that is flexible, paintable (with no swelling affects on primer/paint once it is covered) and finally it needs to dry fairly hard. I don't care if I need an application gun to apply it - I have tons of those at work which I could borrow. Please only comment if you have actually used the product before.
I need a product that is flexible, paintable (with no swelling affects on primer/paint once it is covered) and finally it needs to dry fairly hard. I don't care if I need an application gun to apply it - I have tons of those at work which I could borrow. Please only comment if you have actually used the product before.
Crest Ure-Seam Plus crestauto.com Pg. 45
Great adhesion, flexible, paintable, and this product drys faifly hard without losing flexability. Does not sag or run. About 45 minute work time. We use these products every day at the shop with excellent results.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Jermy, not sure if you have bonded it yet, but my vote goes out for Lord Fusor 127EZ epoxy bonding adhesive. I also used a tube of the Fusor 800 EZ sealer/adhesive around the top outside edge, as well for a good seal, I guarantee no leaks. I love the stuff and every bit of adhesive has been replaced in my car including the rear tub all seams etc... . You will have enough time about 40 min as long as you don't fool around and have everything ready to go.
ikwhite
ikwhite
Last edited by ikwhite; Nov 24, 2010 at 02:27 AM. Reason: spelling
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Sorry I had 128 EZ and that should have been 127EZ. I corrected initial post.
Also I forgot to mention that as a bonus this product can bond to primed metal as well.
http://www.lord.com/Products-And-Sol...roduct.xml/310
ikwhite
Also I forgot to mention that as a bonus this product can bond to primed metal as well.
http://www.lord.com/Products-And-Sol...roduct.xml/310
ikwhite
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
[QUOTE=highschool67;1575989771]
I use 3M 8115 all the time. Great on FRP and SMC fiberglass to each other or steel.[/QUOTE
That's what I used on the nose & the quarter panel & tail light panel repairs
Jim
I use 3M 8115 all the time. Great on FRP and SMC fiberglass to each other or steel.[/QUOTE
That's what I used on the nose & the quarter panel & tail light panel repairsJim
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,214
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
I'm finally ready to bond my firewall to the birdcage. I usually use Marine-tex whenever I bond a panel in place, but this area calls for another product. Marine-tex dries too hard and is going to be too brittle in this area.
I need a product that is flexible, paintable (with no swelling affects on primer/paint once it is covered) and finally it needs to dry fairly hard. I don't care if I need an application gun to apply it - I have tons of those at work which I could borrow. Please only comment if you have actually used the product before.
I need a product that is flexible, paintable (with no swelling affects on primer/paint once it is covered) and finally it needs to dry fairly hard. I don't care if I need an application gun to apply it - I have tons of those at work which I could borrow. Please only comment if you have actually used the product before.
