Seam sealer not setting
Seam sealer not setting
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Discussion

Rollin

Original Poster:

6,279 posts

266 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
There's an area on my old Mercedes where 2 panels meet that was filled with some sort of sealant. This had started to break down and causing a water leak. I have the workshop manual for the car and it states that the area may need to be resealed occasionally. I cleaned out the decaying sealant and I've used some seam sealer to refill the joint. The stuff is filling a space of about 15mm deep and 5mm wide. Problem is, it's not set fully after 24hrs. The surface has skin over fine though.

Car is outside and it's been a bit chilly since I did the work. Is this why it's not set or is it because it's the wrong material and too thick?

V8covin

9,137 posts

214 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
If you've used a pu sealer like sikaflex or tiger seal it skins over in a couple of hours but takes upto 24 to fully cure

Rollin

Original Poster:

6,279 posts

266 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
It was some Upol Grey Stripe that I already had. Dunno if that's PU or not

Think I should have used Tigerseal but hoping it's the cold temps and thickness that's delaying the setting.

V8covin

9,137 posts

214 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
Brushable seam sealer is meant to go on thinly so it'll probably take a while for it to harden the way you've used it

227bhp

10,203 posts

149 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
That gap is huge and you've used a sealant which is only supposed to be brushed (clue is in the name on the tin) on an already tight welded joint.

Rollin

Original Poster:

6,279 posts

266 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
So does that mean I just wait until it sets or dig it all out and use something else?

Matt_E_Mulsion

1,745 posts

86 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
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Leave it for a few days to see if it hardens off a bit more before doing anything drastic.

paintman

7,845 posts

211 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
The U-pol is intended for overcoating welded seams, not filling deep holes. Put on in that quantity my concern would be shrinkage as it dries & possible loss of adhesion to the panels allowing water ingress.
https://www.u-pol.com/uk/en-uk/product/upol/coatin...

Rollin

Original Poster:

6,279 posts

266 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
quotequote all
paintman said:
The U-pol is intended for overcoating welded seams, not filling deep holes. Put on in that quantity my concern would be shrinkage as it dries & possible loss of adhesion to the panels allowing water ingress.
https://www.u-pol.com/uk/en-uk/product/upol/coatin...
That's what I'm thinking. What would be the stuff to use? Tigerseal?

paintman

7,845 posts

211 months

Friday 25th October 2019
quotequote all
As per V8covins post I would be inclined to use either tigerseal or one of the sikaflex mastics.

227bhp

10,203 posts

149 months

Friday 25th October 2019
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Strange a car manufacturer has left such a huge gap which requires periodic refilling? It sounds like something a house builder would do.

Rollin

Original Poster:

6,279 posts

266 months

Friday 25th October 2019
quotequote all
It's a W123 Mercedes.



anonymous-user

75 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
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Mercedes should be able to supply the right stuff, might be a better option than just using whatever is to hand and redoing it several times.