Author Topic: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?  (Read 6307 times)

Offline Challenga

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Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« on: February 06, 2010 - 08:31:33 PM »
I just finished cleaning up my roof drip rails.  I cleared all of the filler out of them.  I am not sure if this was correct, but they were flush from the lip to the edge of the roof with what looked like body filler.  I am wondering if I need to put body filler back in there.  I think I have seen some kind of epoxy or something that is used in the rain gutters to keep them waterproof.  As it was, when I stripped the body filler out there was a little surface rust at the seam.  This is a place that will always flex it looks like and if I put hard body filler in there it will get little cracks in it and hold water, which is what looks like happened with the earlier body filler.  I would like to fill this in with something that will last and keep waterproof. What has everyone else done?
« Last Edit: February 07, 2010 - 12:08:38 AM by Challenga »
1970 - Challenger A66 - Go-man-go!




Offline 67vertman

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2010 - 09:23:12 PM »
I did the same thing to mine a couple of weeks ago.  Mine where full for seam sealer.  If it was body filler, you would have had to grind it out.

I plan to put seam sealer back in there when I paint the car, as the seam sealer is paintable.



Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

Offline 72rtchallenger

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2010 - 09:58:04 PM »
I used por-15 epoxy on mine ,it worked great
72rtchallenger
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Offline 70burntorangeT/A

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2010 - 11:00:03 PM »
I used por-15 epoxy on mine ,it worked great

did it crack any? We used some regular 3M seam sealer on my old ford pickup and it cracked after about 6 months, we may re do some spots on it soon and i dont want to make the same mistake again.
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sleepychallenger

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2010 - 11:02:14 PM »
 :useless: i have no idea where you guys are talking about.

Offline elitecustombody

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2010 - 12:19:55 AM »
Use seam sealer, but only after primer,whatever you do,do not use 3 M Fast n Firm seam sealer,because it will.  crack
Stefan B

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Offline Topcat

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2010 - 01:28:02 AM »
i hear SEM self leveling seam sealer is a good one to get for this.

Look at the 10th one down. item 39387
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/semadhesive.aspx
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline farmboy70

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2010 - 08:53:19 AM »
Use seam sealer, but only after primer,whatever you do,do not use 3 M Fast n Firm seam sealer,because it will.  crack
:iagree:

Offline quapman

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2010 - 09:09:42 AM »
3M makes other similar sealers. I used theirs and have had no cracking. Will try to get a name/part #.

I even used it around the back glass so that water doesn't do the typical pooling there.
My name is Steve and I'm addicted to Challengers...


Offline IMNCARN82

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2010 - 09:59:46 AM »
yup,Seamsealer. Nasty stuff.  I tape off the roof quick. And wet it with a spray bottle of water.Back bead it with yer finger er something.Pull the tape quick.And try and keep it thin towards the roof edge..Then feather where needed. NAPA sells it too. Works great. I use it a lot. Prime before and after.Never any problems.But I've never used the 3M fast n crack. We are about to do the Charger.
'73 340 5 speed,RMS,BAER,... "Supercuda" (O[   ]||||[   ]O)  
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Offline 70burntorangeT/A

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2010 - 10:52:25 AM »
Use seam sealer, but only after primer,whatever you do,do not use 3 M Fast n Firm seam sealer,because it will.  crack

thats what i used. Guess ill know better next time
66 f-100 black  240 straight 6  3 on the tree.....currently blown up :(
70 challenger burnt orange 440 727 3:23-weekend cruizer

Offline farmboy70

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2010 - 11:08:34 AM »
This is the product I use, has never given any problems.
Dave
http://www.medallionrefinish.com/prodview.asp?prodID=1446

Offline 72rtchallenger

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2010 - 11:52:31 AM »
did it crack any? We used some regular 3M seam sealer on my old ford pickup and it cracked after about 6 months, we may re do some spots on it soon and i dont want to make the same mistake again.
no it hasnt as of 2 yrs
72rtchallenger
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what happens in the garage
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Offline Challenga

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2010 - 03:27:15 PM »
Yeah it looked like seam sealer, but it was a little harder so I figured I would ask.  Is the final product supposed to be flush to the top of the lip of the drip rail and just fade up with the roof on the otherside? 
1970 - Challenger A66 - Go-man-go!

Offline 67vertman

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Re: Should the drip rails be full of some kind of filler?
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2010 - 04:28:04 PM »
Here are the pictures of the drip rail we are talking about.  Sorry, I didn't take any before photos.... :bricks1:

Challenga, mine was almost to the top of the rail and fade up to the roof.  Note; that my car hap a vinyl top.






Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)