Bodywork question - Evercoat Panel Adhesive

[mike cobine]

I was using Evercoat Vette Panel Adhesive/Filler 3 #870 but ran out. I ran down to the store and picked up a can, but got Evercoat SMC Panel Adhesive 3 #994 instead.

The panels are NOS black GM fiberglass on original '68 bonding strips.

Opinions? do I need to take it back for the other, or would you use it?

The #994 can recommends #872 or #874 for a stronger bond with fiberglass resin.

Thanks.

[John M.]

Re: Bodywork question - Evercoat Panel Adhesive

Mike,
I would not use it for structural bonding. It is fine for light bonding, and is great for filling and shaping bonding seams, but is clearly not rated for heavy bonding work. I have used it many times as a seam filler, but I have allways heeded the warning about not using it for structural bonding.

Regards, John McGraw

[mike cobine]

Re: Bodywork question - Evercoat Panel Adhesive

I'm pretty sure I got the #870 at Eckler's (they used to have their own brand) and they said to use it for installing body panels. That is what I planned to do, install an original black rear quarter panel. I thought the look on the cured material looked somewhat similar to the original (little smoother, not as "dry" looking) and would keep a more original look than using resin and fiberglass mat.

The #994 says for bonding small SMC panels, so I imagine they don't want it having to bear a large load of a large panel. However, they imply it is stronger as they say it is strong enoguh to bond SMC where the #870 is used to bond fiberglass panels only.

What have you used for bonding large panels? Most of my big panel work was on race cars and they sometimes didn't survive long enough to test the longivity of the repairs.

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Bodywork question - Evercoat Panel Adhesive

I only use the #870 as a filler and not a bonding agent. They recommend another product number for attaching structural panels.

[John M.]

Re: Bodywork question - Evercoat Panel Adhesive

Mike,

I still use the Ecklers brand stuff. There are probably a lot of bonding adhesives out there that are as good, but it has always worked well for me, so I stick with what works. They still have their own brand of stuff, as I just bought a gallon of it a couple of weeks ago. It and gelcoat are about the only stuff that I ever buy from Ecklers. Several friends are trying to talk me into switching over to the evercoat gelcoat because it uses a PVA cure membrane rather than the parrafin wax like the Ecklers stuff does. The thought of eaiser sanding is attractive, but I just can't bring myself to switch away from something that has worked so well in the past!
I have some friends who use the Evercoat either 870 or 872 stuff, and they like it. I use the Evercoat SMC panel adhesive for seam filler, and it works a lot eaiser than the Ecklers stuff, so I would guess that it has a lot more inert material in it, and consequently, not as strong.

Regards, John McGraw

[Allen Murray]

Re: Bodywork question - Evercoat Panel Adhesive

I just bonded a rear quarter on my '66 using Eckler's bonding adhesive. In Eckler's book on fiberglass repair, they ground down the bonding seam and rolled on 2 layers of fiberglass. Is this necessary since the factory seams don't have this? I'm assuming this will prevent cracks in the future. Thanks,Allen

[John M.]

Re: Bodywork question - Evercoat Panel Adhesive

I only use this process for cracked panels. I do not know anyone who does this on bonding seams.

Regards, John McGraw

[Allen Murray]

Thanks John *NM*