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What's the best seam sealer to use for panels on bare shell?

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Phantome46

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I am just about to have my austin Healey shell blasted. I have done a lot of panel work and need to apply a bead of seam sealer all over and joint.

whats the best one to use that can be primed over and will not shrink?

thanks
 
I like traditional methods and materials. As far as I can tell, they used a product we called Dum-Dum here in the US at the time. It, or a near relative is available from 3 M. Although called strip caulk, I think the term dum-dum is still associated with it. It is easy to apply and to clean up. Good sealing qualities with only enough adhesion to stay in place. Paint does adhere and it does not shrink. For What it's worth, Tom
 
I tried to find Dum-Dum several years ago but was unable to. All the auto paint stores had no idea what I was talking about but then they were all under 30 years old. I Googled it then and got all types of weird "dumb" responses. Find an old time body shop with older staff.
 
I've had good luck with 3M Brushable Seam Sealer. Looks to be the same stuff used at the factory, at least on spot welded panels like inside the trunk. You can get it from probably any auto paint supplier.
 
tahoe healey said:
I tried to find Dum-Dum several years ago but was unable to. All the auto paint stores had no idea what I was talking about but then they were all under 30 years old. I Googled it then and got all types of weird "dumb" responses. Find an old time body shop with older staff.
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Lowes sells it in the weather seal dept. Comes in a roll of three or four pull apart strips. Easy to use with no mess. Excess will squeeze out and easily removed with a razor knife. I used it on my 55TF for sealing the firewall cowling to the tub. Works great. PJ
 
I am in the process of restoring a 1960 Austin Healey 3000. All the seam sealer I found while stripping the frame appears to be some type of squirt sealant, such as would come out of a tube. It doesn't appear to be applied in strips. I also noticed they were very selective in the seams they sealed. Only a portion of the gaps between the chassis and the floorboards were sealed. Also there was sealant between the front bulkhead and center section of the body, but again, it was only partially sealed.

Anyone have any suggestions for sealer in a tube? I've seen several types at the auto paint store. All about $20 a tube. Not sure they are better than a paintable sealer from Home Depot. Any ideas?

Rob
 
Again, your paint store will have seam sealer in the tube as well as brushable. I think it is a different formula.
 
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