Date:         Sat, 18 Sep 2004 23:03:07 -0500
Reply-To:     Al and Sue Brase <albeeee@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Al and Sue Brase <albeeee@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon autobody question
Comments: To: Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.GSO.4.21.0409182218160.10231-100000@oola>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

      Sorry, Eric, lead would be an incredible amount of work and it was
usually used on lapped body seams, not butted ones.
      I think VW's original plan to use body caulk to seal the seams is
perfectly okay. but their application is spotty.
       Of all 6 Vanagons I've had, the best for seam rust is the second
oldest (1982), and this one also gets at least as much salt/ winter
exposure as any of mine. Why is it so good? I think the person or people
doing the underside sealing work just did a better job on this one.
Maybe it was a better product, but I doubt it.The seams must be
COMPLETELY sealed from the back, or water will get between the panels.
       At every rusty seam on my 87 or 91, I can find missing seal on
the back side.
        Does anyone know what this stuff is? I'm guessing polyurethane,
because it's so tough, and adheres so well. Does 3M make it? Or any
German companies import it?
Al Brase
69 doublecab, Vanagons

Eric Zeno wrote:

>You will find those seams make the vehicle ease to build, because the
>panels the length of the vando not have to be perfectly straight.
>Filling them in, you will end upwith body plastic 2 feet wide the get the
>panel straight.  Forget it.
>   I think that using lead on the seams may stop rust.  Any old time
>lead body man out there careto comment?
>
>
>
>