RE: Seam sealer/Underseal

[Don Muirhead <dmr@kwic.com>]

Jim:

BASF and DuPont are the big guns and OE suppliers to 80% of the automotive 
industry but I'm not sure what you can find in a can on a shelf in the UK. 
 Hunt PLC was in the business but they sold out to another firm (Illbruck I 
think) a few years ago.

VW/Audi/BMW/Porsche and most other European manufacturers use an inorganic 
cellular synthetic rubberized compound and a urethane topcoat sealer. 
 Chrysler has announced that it will be using the same products on their 
2001 model year in 3 of their NA assembly plants. I think Saturn uses this 
same combo now.  BASF and DuPont produce these products but application 
requires specialized equipment so it's not one of those open the can and 
whip out the putty knife.

If I were you, I would go to your friendly autobody supply house, they 
should be able to supply with a can of an automotive pan sealant (not 
undercoating).  Just make sure you get something that is compatible with 
inorganic cellular rubber compounds...if you don't your patch might never 
cure or worse just fall off.

Make sure you lightly clean the area with acetone and nothing else and let 
sit for about 30 minutes.  It may seem sticky to the touch afterwards but 
that's exactly the way you want it.  Also, make sure you warm the sealant 
and the area you're going to patch to above 10c/50f or it might not adhere 
or cure properly. These patch kit compounds include a sealer in their 
formula so you shouldn't have to worry about a topcoat.  They also don't 
last long either. If you get 3-5 years out of it in your climate you'll be 
doing ok.

Don
-----Original Message-----
From:	Jim Haseltine [SMTP:Jim@ur-q.freeserve.co.uk]
Sent:	Sunday, September 19, 1999 5:58 PM
To:	Quattro List
Subject:	Seam sealer/Underseal

Anybody able to tell me what sort of seal sealer and underseal that Audi
use? I'm wanting to replace some and I'd prefer to use something similar.

Thanks

Jim Haseltine