Hey guys , i need some help here ....I'm replaceing a trunk tub and doing some other modifications on my vette and before i put all this stuff on i need it to set it on some kind of adhesive...basicaly for main thing i need it for is to glue the fiberglass tub to the metal frame..and I have no idea which one i need to use ,this is my first time doing this kind of work, so I need some advice from you guys...:Where is the best place to get it or find it? Which brand should i be looking for ...for exemp.3M or other... thanks..

 

You want to use Panel Bond - it's a two part stuff, one tube is a white/clear stuff, and the other tube is black - they get mixed together in equal amounts - has a drying/cure time of about 9 hours

I'll be busy this weekend, but by Monday I can get you the brand and the part number for this stuff - I assume that any automotive outlet store that sells auto body type stuff (ie: paint, primer, body putty, glues, etc) should have this type of thing.

 

I use 3M urathane and have not had a problem I use it on the tub, rockers and sail panel. Try not to trim off to much of the original bonding from the factory just go over top of it that way it will give you an idea of the spacing and height as well as saving you a bunch of material. I usualy line up the tub drill some pilot holes remove the tub aply the urathane put the tub back on and run some sheet metal screws in the pilot holes until the urathane dries then I remove the screws and seal the holes.
Not to argue with the panel bond that is probably the proper method but the urathane will work if you cant find the panel bond.

 

Dale raised a good point that I forgot - take GOOD note of the thickness and location of the original panel bond/glue on the frame - you want to use the original glue/bonding stuff as a spacer to get things spaced right -

Sand any remaining fiberglass off of the glue which is on the frame - you just want to be able to see the surface of the glue w/ no fiberglass fibers - you also want to remove most, BUT NOT ALL, of the origial glue - Maybe leave a couple areas of original glue about the width of a paint stick (1") or so - the rest of the original glue can be removed -

What I did to make things clean, I took a hack saw blade, and cut thru the orginal glue to make the 1" areas - then I removed all of the original glue off of the frame except for the 1" areas - you will reapply the glue / panel bond where you removed it and the 1" areas will ensure that your spacing is correct -

If you really want to do it well, sand 1/2 of the thickness of the 1" areas down, and apply the new glue / panel bond stuff where the old glue was that you removed AS WELL AS some over the top of the 1" strips that you sanded 1/2 down -

This method will ensure that your replacement panel is spaced as close as you can get it to the way the factory did it - and this is critical since there is little adjustment of the outer panels once the inner panels are glued to the frame.

Also, Dale's idea regarding drilling a hole thru the inner panel into the frame and using a sheet metal screw or 2 (don't need many) is a good idea that I also did - once I glued the panel in place, I drilled a couple holes and installed a couple sheet metal screws in place to hold the panel while the glue dried - I didn't bother to remove the screws - it doesn't hurt if you leave them in place, but you can remove them as Dale did.

Finally, when applying the glue or panel bond, apply it to both the frame and to the inner fender panel (ie: both pieces) - also apply it thicker than you want it to be, so that you can "squish" it somewhat and get a better bond.

Good luck, hope this helps.

 

thanks for the advice guys...this is would realy help me ....hey 94legaleagle..let me know about the name of it and a part number...thanks, how about that 3M Urathine stuff can i use it on the top portion of the tub, where it sets under the back glass..because when i took the old tub off it had some kind of stiky black silicone type puty...it wasn't hard for some reason ....can you guys tell what that is..and what sould i use ....thank you again...