Sealers and Related Product Usage
Before attempting to seal any leak, it is important to know the various types of sealers that are recommended to repair those areas of the vehicle where leaks may be encountered.A. Stationary Glass
NOTICE: Urethane sealant (GMSPO #9636067) is the only GM recommended sealant for:
1. WINDSHIELD TO BODY OPENINGS.
2. BACK GLASS TO BODY OPENINGS.
B. Quarter Windows
Generally sealed with one or more of the following:
1. Urethane Sealant, Applied Fasteners, Butyl Tape, Window Weld (Flow Grade) Sealant or Resealant Wet-Dry.
C. Metal Joints and Seams
1. Paintable body sealers such as: Heavy Drip Check Sealer, Drip Check Sealer, Leak Stop Sealer, Wet/Dry Leak Check Sealers, etc.
D. Small Pin Holes in Wheelhouse Seams
1. Brushable Seam Sealers.
2. Body Schutz or Rubber Guard.
3. Rubberize Undercoating.
E. Weatherstrip Retainers
1. 3M #6375 Scotchfoam Black Vinyl Foam Tape, 2. Kent #40519 High Strength Tape.
3. Medium Body Sealer, (Redding and Glazing Compound).
F. Screws, Nuts, Rocker Sill Plates, Quarter Extensions, Tail Lamp and Quarter Lamp Housings, Gaskets and Scalp Moldings.
Any of the above areas can be successfully sealed with a thumb grade type sealer.
Some thumb grade sealers are:
1. Bulk-Caulk.
2. Strip-Caulk, (Dum-Dum).
3. Seal N' Caulk.
G. Heater/AC Module to Dash Seam
1. Medium Body Sealer, (Bedding and Glazing Compound).
H. Weatherstrips
Adhesive retainer weatherstrips can be sealed with:
1. GMSPO #12345097 - Black Weatherstrip Adhesive.
2. 3M #8011 - Black Weatherstrip Adhesive.
3. Kent #10180 - Stick-It Black Weatherstrip Adhesive.
I. Release Agent
A special solvent blend that quickly soften adhesive bonds between the weatherstrip and metal to aid in weatherstrip removal or replacement.
1. Kent #30125 - Special Release Agent SR-A.
2. 3M #08971 - Release Agent.
3. American Sure Seal #SRI - Release It.
J. Tracing Powder
Use for checking weatherstrip contact to a mating surface.
1. Kent #20065 - Tracing Powder.
2. American Sure Seal #STP - Tracing Powder.
K. Adhesive Cleaner
A special blended solvent that will not harm the paint finish, vinyl or fabric.
1. Kent #60070 - Acrysol Body Solvent.
2. American Sure Seal #BSS General Purpose Cleaner.
3. 3M #08984 - General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner.
L. Silicone Paste
A paste material. When applied on the weatherstrip surface, it deposits a thin protective film coating over the outer surface.
1. GMSPO #1042863 - Silicone Paste.
2. Kent #50015 - K-44 Silicone Lube.
3. American Sure Seal #L1000 - Silicone Tube Grade Compound.
A. ADJUSTMENTS AND SEALING REPAIR OPERATIONS
Proper sealing prevents wind and water from entering where it's not wanted. It also prevents corrosion and electrical malfunctions. The automobile body itself is designed to channel water down and out to prevent it from accumulating or causing damage.
The procedures for water leak and windnoise repairs are similar. The actual procedure used depends primarily on the type of seal being repaired, rather than on the nature of the condition.
Leaks around the door opening weatherstrip do not always indicate a faulty weatherstrip. At times, a door or a door glass adjustment will take care of the leak condition.
To determine if the door and/or door glass requires adjustment, perform the following:
1. Set the door lock in its first catch, then check the effort needed to close door by standing with feet together about 24 inches (600 mm) away from the body.
2. If right handed, place flat part of left hand on the panel near the door handle and push door closed. If left handed, place flat part of right hand on the panel near door handle and push door closed.
3. The door should close completely. If it does not.. .lower door glass and retest again to see if the glass was causing condition.
4. If the hard closing condition is still evident, continue to test by removing the door lock striker, and then slowly move door in toward the closed position. In the closed position, the rear vertical edge of the door should be parallel to the front vertical edge of the quarter panel.
5. A 3/4" (19.02 mm) vertical gap between rear edge of door and front edge of quarter panel indicates that there is sufficient compression on the door weatherstrip.
6. If not parallel, and the vertical gap is larger at the bottom of the door, there may not be sufficient compression on the weatherstrip.
7. If this is the case, door hinges must be moved in or out until an even 3/4" (19.02 mm) gap is set along the rear vertical edge of door.
8. Reinstall door lock striker. Roll up door glass and test door again.
9. If door now closes properly, recheck leak condition to make sure that it has been corrected. If condition is still evident, it will be necessary to realign door glass.
B. Stationary Glass Repairs
Water leaks in stationary glass installed with urethane sealant can be corrected without removing and reinstalling glass.
The following method applies if the urethane sealant materials furnished in GMSPO Kit No. 9636067 is utilized.
1. Remove reveal molding and any garnish moldings in area of leak(s).
2. Use one of the previously described methods to locate leak(s).
3. Mark location of leak(s) and from outside the body, clean the area with water; then dry area(s) with air hose.
FIGURE 9:
4. Using a sharp knife, trim off exposed edge of adhesive 3"-4" to either side of the leak, and prime the area. Use black primer supplied in kit (No. 9636067), and follow labeled instructions for use (Figure 9).
5. Apply urethane sealant to area and 75 mm (3") to 100 mm (4") beyond each side of leak. Immediately work sealant into the joint with a flat stick to ensure a water tight seal along entire length of material application.
6. Test the new seal(s) using a LIGHT warm or hot water spray. DO NOT direct a heavy stream of water on freshly applied urethane sealant material.
7. Reinstall reveal and garnish moldings.
NOTICE: If original moldings cannot be reused (due to damage, cut short, etc.), discard molding and replace with a service molding. The service molding has a shorter shank and will not bottom out when installed.
C. Vinyl Reveal Molding
If original reveal molding is vinyl, it can be reused by performing the following:
1. Trim off lower barb of molding using a razor, knife, or scissors. Prefit in cavity.
2. Apply clear primer from urethane kit (Part No. 9636067 or equivalent) to lower surface of molding prior to reinstallation.
3. Apply urethane in cavity between body and glass.
4. Using a container filled with lukewarm water, flood the cavity filled with urethane. Moisture is the catalyst for the sealant and will speed up the cure of the material.
5. Start from the center using hand pressure, press molding into original location. Then apply additional water on top of molding. If needed, apply tape over molding to keep molding flush to glass while curing.
FIGURE 10:
6. Vinyl Reveal Moldings (Figure 10).