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Sat Jun 09, 2012 11:37 am

Almost finished with replacing my battery section and gonna hit everything w/ POR 15 soon. Just wondering if it's okay to hit my seams with a DAP in/outdoor sealant? One of those caulking tubes from HD. I have some Dynaflex 230 for flashing, trim, doors, windows, etc... Cool? Not cool?

Sat Jun 09, 2012 12:58 pm

Go to an automotive paint supplier and get the stuff designed for cars. I like 3M 8505 FastnFirm in a tube or 8656 Brushable that comes in a quart can. Not to say the other may not work but this stuff is designed to be flexable and stick to paint and steel. It also is designed to be paintable.

Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:36 pm

I was at one yesterday picking up POR 15 and some other goodies and decided to hold off on the $20 per tube stuff they had in case a $4 tube of DAP would work. The stuff I have is also flexible, paintable and with stick to paint and metal. Sounds like it's the same stuff.

Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:47 pm

The autobody seam sealer is worlds ahead of any DAP home depot product. As a contractor, I use auto seam sealer for a lot of construction use. It shrinks less, holds better, never mildews, and holds paint really well. It's expensive for a reason; it works!

Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:22 pm

Sounds like the auto stuff does all the same stuff as the DAP I have. The tube also says it's mold and mildew resistant. Just because something's more expensive doesn't mean it's better. It might be better, but so far it sounds about even minus the price.

Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:39 pm

LOL... a bit argumentative, sounds like you made up your mind before you even asked the question.

Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:32 pm

Argumentative? Now that's funny! Just reading off of my tube of DAP making comparisons to what the other guys are suggesting. Not sure how that's argumentative, but to each their own. You got anything for me on seam sealer?

Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:41 pm

Here is a another product to consider as a value priced alternative..
http://raybuck.com/i-68944-au-ve-co-automotive-body-sealer.html

It's available elsewhere, this was just the first hit on a search. Put the part number in a Google search and you might find some locally.

I've also bought the stuff at an automotive swap meet, like the kind they have at Jack Murphy Stadium for Muscle cars.

Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:59 pm

DAP "Gutter & Flashing" is as good as seam sealer. Fraction of price, and is butyl rubber based.

Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:17 pm

buy some real seam sealer for $7 a tube at auto zone. or just do what ever the hell you want and don't listen to anyone. your choice

Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:25 pm

I have friends who work in body shops where every penny counts. The customers aren't involved with what materials are used, so the shop uses the least expensive materials that work the best, so they can profit and keep their business going. Not to say they skimp on anything, they actually work on quite a lot of local hot rods.

What I can tell you is that if there was something cheaper that worked just as good, they would use it to keep profits up.

What they use is the $20 per tube stuff, all day long. I asked them specifically about cost cutting with bodywork, and they do not skimp on seam sealer...

Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:32 pm

Floor pans, and chassis parts use gutter seam sealer from a harware. It works great and has no issues..

Body parts that may require some finish paint, use the good stuff and the right seam sealer.

Sat Jun 09, 2012 8:15 pm

Thanks guys for the info. A lot of the characteristics that some of you mention seem to be present in the DAP stuff I have. Just Googled the "Gutter and Flashing" and it seems perfect. I just saw this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxuHomc716w
go to 9:25. Like I mentioned before, it's for my battery section on my floor pan. It's been welded up and will be getting POR 15'ed also.