Panel adhesives/join seals?

[storminnorman]

Hello,

I recently removed a front wing from a Mk.4 escort. During the process I found varying types of rubbery substances on some of the seals.

In one larger, flat joining area a black, sticky, tar-like substance appears to have been used (along with spot welds). Then, on a fair proportion of the seams had some form of white filler covering the joins (like slightly harder polyfiller). This had clearly been put on between the primer coat and the main coat of paint.

This is the first time I've done any bodywork so I don't have a clue what they are - my question is, what might these substances be, and are they necessary when I come to put a fresh wing on?
Thanks

[TallPaul]

Its been a while since I've put a wing on one of those but from memory, the only sealant will be the where the wing is spot welded to the bonnet slam panel, a small area about 2 inches long. If its the original wing (unlikely but possible) this area will also have a tar-like antirust paste between the two panels before they are welded at the factory, but it wont be anywhere else. There shouldnt be any filler over any welds unless its a replacement wing and it's been plug-welded not spot welded.
Normal practice is to clean off the old welds, then apply a decent weld through primer and weld the new wing on, then from underneath seal up the joints and cover it with a decent underseal.

[storminnorman]

TallPaul said:

Its been a while since I've put a wing on one of those but from memory, the only sealant will be the where the wing is spot welded to the bonnet slam panel, a small area about 2 inches long. If its the original wing (unlikely but possible) this area will also have a tar-like antirust paste between the two panels before they are welded at the factory, but it wont be anywhere else. There shouldnt be any filler over any welds unless its a replacement wing and it's been plug-welded not spot welded.
Normal practice is to clean off the old welds, then apply a decent weld through primer and weld the new wing on, then from underneath seal up the joints and cover it with a decent underseal.

Thanks,
It was indeed the original wing (we've basically had the car from new). The tar-like paste is exactly where you describe and nowhere else.

The wing is off now but the second substance is still bothering me. It appears to be white, rubbery and brushed over many panel joins all over the car. It is underneath the paintwork, between the primer and colour.

[TallPaul]

Are you talking about the factory seam sealer over the joints in the wheelarch (and throughout the car), visible now the wing is off? Obviously the inner wing is made up of a number of panels and Ford used sealant to stop water getting between the joints, not always successfully! It would generally be applied once the shell is assembled, after being dipped in the e-coat and before painting/undersealing.
Maybe post a picture to show what you mean

[storminnorman]

I'm completely new to this - but yes, that is what it appears to be. They seem to have used it on some logical areas and ignored others!
Thanks for your help - would you say it is recommendable to use when replacing the wing - or will substances such as waxoyl do the same job?

[TallPaul]

You'd be best to use a polyurethane sealer (as opposed to a cellulose product that tends to shrink & crack) to cover any joints then use a shultz type underseal, finally try and get into all the nooks and crannies with a decent cavity wax.