Anybody use body panel epoxy in place of welding?

[SUX2BU99]

If anybody saw the recent episode of Trucks where they fix a rusty cab corner on a mid-90s S-10 by a body panel adhesive epoxy in place of welding will know what I'm talking about.  It looks like an awesome solution to those who can't weld.  I for one have a about a 4" dia. rusty patch on my pass. side cab corner I want to cut out and replace and this method looks perfect for it.  Any thoughts?

[shaved80]

it was created to cut time in shops. it works fine if you know how to do it

[SUX2BU99]

The process look very straightforward and logical. I would buy a cab corner replacement for donor metal.  Cut out the square of metal I need replaced. Trace outline onto the cab corner and cut out. There's my replacement patch.  Then cut some additional strips out of the cab corner to use as backing pieces for the new patch to be epoxied to. Epoxy the strips in from behind the hole. Use POR15 aroudn everything in the area on the inside so new rust won't form. Epoxy patch piece on.  Get some metallized fiberglas filler and spread on. Sand and smooth the patch to the surrounding metal.  Use some finishing filler for blending. Primer. Paint.  Sound about right?

Where I wouldn't trust myself to do this though is on the rear fender 1/4's behind the tires. Got a few bubbles happening there replacing the whole fender bottom back there I think is tricky since I think it's welded to the inner fender part which has that STUPID gap between, which is where the rust forms. Anyway, pretty large piece to have just epoxied I would think.

[roundedline]

As shaved said it works fine if you apply it correctly.  Many carmakers are currently using this technology and have been for years.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[Blazin]

I replaced some cab corners on a 94 Chevy full size this way. it worked awsome. I also reattached the outer aluminum door skins to the steel door shell frames on a Range Rover with this stuff. The aluminum hem had coroded away and the bottom of the door was open. I spread the tow apart stuck a grinding wheel in there, spooged the epoxy in, and clamped them back togeether. Still holding 3 years later.The brand I used required a special double caulking type gun and was about $80.00.

[75 C20]

so who makes this stuff- im kinda interested in it if it works as good as welding would.....

[toplessblazer]

3M panel bond adhesive. Good stuff. You do need one of those expensive caulk guns in order to get the mixture right.

[Blazin]

I don't remeber the brand I used but it wasn't 3M or SEM. I will take a look today if I think of it, it had bond in the name I think.

[roundedline]

Fusor is another brand, it is made by Lord.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[chevelleman67]

you can buy an adapter to fit a regular caulking gun for under 10.00 so no need to buy high dollar gun just something to think about  

[Blazin]

Fusor is the brand I used I went and check then got on here and se Chris beat me to it. Mine would not fit in a regular gun adaptor or no adapter. Its two tubes bonded into one, and one is smaller than the other.

Edited by: Blazin at: 12/21/06 6:07 am

[SUX2BU99]

Thanks for the great info, guys    On the TV show, they were using a smaller amount of product that was produced in a twin-tube applicator, similar like most any other epoxy products you can buy off the shelf at the hardware store. Push the big handle on the end and equal parts of the product comes out. Mix it all around and apply.  Duramix makes a panel adhesive too but also requires a $65 special gun.

[Blackstone]

Eastwood to the rescue.... $80 for the kit includes adhesive, caulking gun adapter, flanging pliers, panel-holder pins. Not sure how much adhesive you get but replacement cartridges are only $16. At this price, you can afford to experiment with it and not lose your shirt. I'm going to pick up a kit for the @#%$ of it. Looks like a good alternative for me since I can't see through welding goggles.


www.eastwoodco.com/jump.j...pe=PRODUCT

[woodys86sw]

I do not remember the name of the stuff but a good friend of mine uses that kind of stuff all the time instead of welding in his body shop and he told me that the company that makes it put a couple of two inch steel blocks together with this glue stuff and pulled with two trucks and the chains broke and the metal would not come apart for anything. Good stuff. But you have to know what you are doing. Has been out for a few years now I know.