seam sealer vs. body filler

[Slappy McNasty]

really close to start tearin up the ride for all the body work and some primer. just finished up weldin up the bed sheet metal and trailer tubs and have been told both have advantages & dis-advantages, how say you? please chime in

[Sir Toad]

seam sealer if there is to be any flex involved...if not use body filler.

seam sealer will not give a smooth molded look and also the metal needs to be primed and scuffed before the seam sealer is applied

body filler can be applied directly to the metal,sanded and then primed.

[MetalMafiaCustoms]

i think if any one tries to do body work with seam sealer its a hack.. do it right. if your not going to see it like under the carpet then you can use seam sealer, cause its easier

[Slappy McNasty]

well, the seam sealer is just a shitty way to go. i used it on the bottom seams where the sheetmetal bed side pieces met the floor & its all going to be covered by the wood floor anyways (thank god). i guess it will seam the elements but it looks like ass, even with the "finger + water", "finger + thinner", "finger + mineral spirits" methods. definately gets a 2 thumbs down as far as looks (as SIR TOAD said it would). then again, might just be installer error

[MetalMafiaCustoms]

so you used seam sealer??

[Slappy McNasty]

Quote: Originally Posted by MetalMafiaCustoms

so you used seam sealer??

i used it for the bottom edge where the bed floor and the new sheetmetal sides met

[MetalMafiaCustoms]

Quote: Originally Posted by Slappy McNasty

i used it for the bottom edge where the bed floor and the new sheetmetal sides met

damn that was fast.. well if you cant see it and it gets covered then its not a big deal, it helps to keep the elements out. but as for cleaning up and smoothing welds id use metal glaze.. trust me im an expert at smoothing welds.. every bike we do every weld gets smooth

[s10httnswtchs]

gotta agree with everybody else.. body filler for seams that are gonna be seen. Seam sealer is good for the places that arent gonna be seen like the undersides of beds

[valian02]

so do the tubs not flex enough to use body filler?

[ura HOE call me]

I like Metal Glaze from Evercoat for anything that will be seen.
We used some Epoxy at a shop I worked at that was great for bonding and sealing seems in areas that wouldn't be seen.

And as far as the clean up goes.
Try acetone on a rag and use your finger to clean it up.
It works great on marine sealers, never tried it on automotive stuff though.
Leaves a nice clean bead of sealer around fittings and whatnot on boats.

[jasonwayne222]

well if u smooth out the seem sealer enough and im goin to do color match rhino liner do u think it will look bad with the rhino liner,, i figured it would blend well.

[MetalMafiaCustoms]

im pretty sure using body filler would be alot easier, its sandable and not really a pain in the ass, if it was going under carpet then id say use seam sealer, but on a bed id use metal glaze, its easier to sand then actual bondo,