Anything easier to use than 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive?

[ianc]

Hi folks,

I just finished installing my sunroof seals last nite with pretty disappointing results. Part of the problem was the 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive I used. The thick yellow stuff (gorilla snot).

The stuff is great for attaching relatively large panels, etc., and is strong as hell; I bet you could build skyscrapers out if it. However, its extremely thick consistency and its tendency to form 'strings' if you lift the tube off the bead you're laying make it very difficult to work with on smaller items such as the sunroof seals.

Anybody found anything that's about as strong, but has a more liquid consistency and doesn't form those annoying strings?

Thanks,

ianc

[Rot 911]

I think you must have had an old tube. The 3M stuff I use is a much thinner consistency. Now runny, but more like a liquid then semi solid.

[kuehl]

usually you place a film or bead on both surfaces to be bonded, wait till it "flashes" or gets tacky.

I wonder what solvent they recommend to "thin" it.

http://www3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GSN04SFBB0gs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/bgel_GSYHNJB2MYbl/gvel_Q5D2V4SCM0gl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_LongDescOutlinkHandler/output_html

[Elombard]

Yah I have a hard time working with it too. I have it all over my paint on the bumper where I was gluing the bumper - body seals on. I can not find a good way to get it off the paint without taking the paint off!.

[ianc]

Yep, that's the stuff, and that's the procedure I followed. Mine could be older than the recommended 12 months, but the stuff has always formed those evil strings that get on everything!

ianc

[ianc]

Elombard, 3M sells something called General Purpose Adhesive Solvent. It's not that strong, so it won't damage paint, but it will work well to clean up your painted surfaces. I bought a quart of it yesterday for $14.

Doesn't work that well on the velvet sunroof seals though... ;(

ianc

[defcon65]

I have 3M weatherstrip glue that is black in color and a little thinner than what you described, I got it at Autozone or one of those luminous parts outlets. BTW, you thin the stuff with acetone, so don't get any on your paint. I used a nylon glue-tip applicator from a hobby shop to apply the stuff to the weatherstripping without getting it all over. It's a pain to work with if you get any on your fingers.

[ianc]

Any part # or name on that stuff Defcon? Is it strong?

ianc

[defcon65]

Sorry, I'm in the office and can't look at the tube. I'll check when I get home. Seems to me it was also labelled '3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive', but not the gorilla snot stuff you described. It was black, fairly thin but did get stringy when the tube was pulled away. The applicator tip helped alot in minimizing the mess. I let it tack up and pressed it into place. It has a powerful solvent vapor so don't use it in enclosed spaces, unless that's your thing - gave me a little headache, actually.

Joe

[ianc]

Hmmm... The black color would be just the ticket for the sunroof seals when I redo them. Ha.

If you could check it over the weekend, I'd appreciate it. Thanks,

ianc

[defcon65]

I'll check tonight when I get home and post. I can visualize where it is laying on my garage shelf right now...

[kuehl]

Here is the link to 3m again.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/newreply.php

They have terric tech support. We use them all the time.

Just give them a call, tell them what you want to do and they'll give you the product description and methods.

Egg in your Beer!

[Dan in Pasadena]

My car has NO sunroof felt! It's been gone since I had the car painted last year. Makes howling noise at speed but it doesn't leak - amazingly.

What I am taking from this thread is:
Find the black adhesive stuff
Use only new adhesive
MASK the roof of the car with paper and blue tape
Consider finding one of these applicators to hold down the tendency to make "strings".

By the way, I have been told that a trick to install the sunroof felt is to cut the stretchy, bungee cord type stuff inside the felt at the corners of the sunroof so that it will conform to the corners better. Now, I haven't done this job yet but does that make sense to you ianc?

[ianc]

Hi Dan,

Yes, it makes sense. I think I won't go so far as to mask the roof, since the adhesive solvent I have does a nice job of taking the stuff off the paint. It doesn't work very well on the velvet of the seals however, but a black adhesive would solve that problem nicely.

I also was debating how to properly finish the corners so they matched up nicely. Some installations I have seen have the ends cut so they match up perfectly. Don't know if this is factory or not. I attempted the same thing by glueing the seal which attaches to the body everywhere except at the ends. I then closed the roof, marked the position of the ends of the panel seal on the roof, opened the roof again and snipped them. Didn't work all that well...

ianc

[Dan in Pasadena]

Okay, so there is a tendency to get these "strings" on the velvet stuff, and it basically can't be gotten off, right? So I just need to be super careful.

I was talking to Jeff Aase, he owns a very good shop (so I've heard) down here in SoCal in Fullerton. I met him at the Pomona Swap meet and he told me about this stuff including how to get the corners to fit just right. I know I don't remember everything he said, but you might try giving him a call and just tell him you were referred. He seemed like a nice guy and I am sure he wouldn't mind giving a little free advice.
His shop is located on Commonwealth Ave in Fullerton, I don't have a phone number but i am sure you could get it from the information operator.

[defcon65]

Here is the glue I used. Part no. 34-7030-9324-4. The glue tip you can find at Hobby Lobby. Hope that helps.

Joe

[ianc]

Hey Joe,

That does help alot, so thanks for the that.

Dan,

thanks for the tip on Jeff. I'm going to ponder my current job a little more to see if I can figure out where I went wrong. It's kind of hard to tell right now because the up\down adjustment at the rear is off and I need to remove the panel again to adjust it, which I didn't have time for last nite. If I can't arrive at a good conclusion, I'll certainly give him a call,

ianc

[defcon65]

Just a thought, but when I installed the weatherstripping it was cool - maybe 60 degrees. The second piece I installed was easier to fit and tacked up quicker due to it laying in the sun for an hour while I prepped and installed the first piece. Of course in SoCal July, that should not be an issue. But if you're reinstalling an older, less pliable piece, warming it with a hair dryer might help in the placement and will also cure the adhesive faster. I had a solvent rag handy to keep my fingers clean and wipe any excess off the rubber. It was really one of the the more challenging repair tasks I've done yet.

[Dan in Pasadena]

ianc, My mistake, it was DAVE Aase I meant you should call, not Jeff. Forgot to ask you earlier: You've got to remove the sunroof itself in order to install the velvet, right? Can you explain how to do that if its not too much trouble? Thanks, Dan

[Nine9six]

Originally posted by defcon65
I have 3M weatherstrip glue that is black in color and a little thinner than what you described, I got it at Autozone or one of those luminous parts outlets. BTW, you thin the stuff with acetone, so don't get any on your paint. I used a nylon glue-tip applicator from a hobby shop to apply the stuff to the weatherstripping without getting it all over. It's a pain to work with if you get any on your fingers.

I'll second what defcon65 said, but the 3M stuff is stringy as well, so you're best served following defcon's recommendation to use the nylon glue-tip applicator.