box seam...what's everyone doing with it??

[yarko]

So I bought a decent short box. It's been blasted and epoxy primed. The previous owner did the work he also had the seam cleaned out. My question is, what it everyone doing with the seam? Filling it so it's "gone"? Or leaving it sorta visible? Weld it? Or?? If you are filling it, what are you using? Thanks everyone

[convincor]

Some have welded, I wouldn't being there is no way to get rust protection in there after. (My opinion.)
http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... =7&t=39141
My plan is clean out the old sealer, blast, soak some zinc oxide primer into the seam.
That will get cover with a 2k prime. Then a 2 part seam sealer http://www.semproducts.com/repair-seam-sealers
This should also get sealed on the inside.

[yarko]

Thanks for the reply. Great info there. One question. One the two part seam sealer is in place, can you apply body fillers or putty over top of it to smooth out the appearance before paint?

[convincor]

Check out the tech sheet. Says ready to sand/ paint in 30 minutes
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... G4Iv4cOwQA

[dailyf100]

I used Valvoline plio grip seam sealer 12. I used it to fill all my seams including the hood, cab roof to back of cab, and the vertical bed seam. I weld and can tell you this is much easier than welding and grinding and there is no worries of heat control. Here are some pics of how I did my bed seam. Basically, clean with wire brush, put some kind of rust killer in there and rinse it out (Naval Jelly is what I used), apply a self etching primer, fill with seam sealer, sand it to desired shape, then prime and paint.


















Here is the cab after paint.

[MAK]

Great set of how-to pics. Thanks

[yarko]

Thanks a lot! Great info and pics! I really appreciate it!

[yarko]

What are the benefits of seam sealer as opposed to regular body filler? If they both go hard and are sandable??

[convincor]

Body filler will crack.

[yarko]

Body filler will crack? From movement? It shouldn't crack in such small amounts. I wouldn't think.

[convincor]

Your welcome to try it.

[yarko]

No no. Lol. Id.rather not if there is a better product. Just asking out of curiosity. Is there any movement between the upper and lower sections of the box that would cause cracking of filler?

[convincor]

If the seam were welded along the out edge it would be OK.
Being the spot welds are say 1/2"-3/4" in from the outer edge there could be some movement.