Header bar adhesive
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 214
Likes: 76
From: Indianapolis
St. Jude Donor '25
Header bar adhesive
I've taken off my header bar and using the Wilcox directions as guide. They put the new one on using SEM 39747 panel bond but it requires a very expensive gun to apply. I am leaning towards using 3M 08115 adhesive bond and the guns are much more reasonable. It does have a shorter working time (90 minutes) but should be plenty of time. What have others used and/or experienced when replacing their header bar as far as the bonding agent is concerned.
Thanks for reading and taking time.
js
Thanks for reading and taking time.
js
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 136
Likes: 174
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 Restomod of the Year
I used
. It is a one part product that sets in about 30 minutes and uses a regular caulking gun.
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 1,001
From: Spokane, WA
I've taken off my header bar and using the Wilcox directions as guide. They put the new one on using SEM 39747 panel bond but it requires a very expensive gun to apply. I am leaning towards using 3M 08115 adhesive bond and the guns are much more reasonable. It does have a shorter working time (90 minutes) but should be plenty of time. What have others used and/or experienced when replacing their header bar as far as the bonding agent is concerned.
Thanks for reading and taking time.
js
Thanks for reading and taking time.
js
I used 3M 08609 windshield adhesive. It is a one part product that sets in about 30 minutes and uses a regular caulking gun.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 214
Likes: 76
From: Indianapolis
St. Jude Donor '25
I may just buy the recommended SEM and force it out and hand mix then apply with putty knife.
Last edited by sauterindy; Nov 16, 2025 at 06:26 AM. Reason: update
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 1,001
From: Spokane, WA
The static mixer nozzels should come with either product but I'm not sure how easy they'd be to use with the SEM trying to extract the product by hand. That's alot of hand mixing and a lot to spread around the entire perimeter of the header bar and then position it and clamp into place within the working time of the mix. If you don't want to spemd the $$ for the SEM gun but can swallow the cost of the 3M gun, I'd recommend the 3M panel adhesive route for ease of application.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 214
Likes: 76
From: Indianapolis
St. Jude Donor '25
I've ordered the 3M and inexpensive gun. I thought further about the extracting and mixing and don't need those extra hoops when trying to get it back together correctly. thanks
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3M is the way to go. Back in 2000 I purchased 2001 Z71 and came across a Pontiac ws6 hood and a heavy duty hood of a 2001 . I mated the two hoods with 3m panel bond to make my own hood. Keep in mind the ws6 hood was smc and the truck hood was mild steel. I drove that truck for 132k miles until some moran pulled out in front of me and only than did a portion of the hood break loose. Occasionally the 3m rep would stop by the shop and always asked how the hood was holding up. I will never use anything else.