Need help with bed caulking

[crazyjim]

What kind of caulking do I use on bed floor and bed side.

[68post]

Seam sealer. You can usually find it at any of the regular parts stores.

[andrewmp6]

3m seam sealer.

[crazyjim]

Thanks guys.

[cadillac_al]

The 2 times I have bought seam sealer in my life it has been dried out and stiff and hard to spread; almost like bondo that is has hardened too much to spread smoothly. I don't know what good seam sealer even looks like but I don't think it is supposed to be that way. I think it sits on the shelf too long until somebody finally buys it. I always figured it should be creamier like nice soft bondo. I only mention this because you may need to buy more than one can to find a fresh one. Somebody correct me if it is supposed to be that way.

[CSHADES]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

The 2 times I have bought seam sealer in my life it has been dried out and stiff and hard to spread; almost like bondo that is has hardened too much to spread smoothly. I don't know what good seam sealer even looks like but I don't think it is supposed to be that way. I think it sits on the shelf too long until somebody finally buys it. I always figured it should be creamier like nice soft bondo. I only mention this because you may need to buy more than one can to find a fresh one. Somebody correct me if it is supposed to be that way.

If you buy it in the tube I have never had a problem with spreading it. I run a bead then use my finger with mineral spirits to smooth it out. It is heavy bodied so using it out of a can is harder.

[crazyjim]

Do you put it on after you put the bed side on or before ?

[CSHADES]

Originally Posted by crazyjim

Do you put it on after you put the bed side on or before ?

I would clean and paint the areas that are going to mate together, then assemble parts and then seam seal the seams.

[cadillac_al]

Thanks for that tip cshades. Next time I will buy it in a tube.

[andrewmp6]

I have always cleaned the area its going applyed the seam sealer and painted over it.

[CSHADES]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

I have always cleaned the area its going applyed the seam sealer and painted over it.

The areas that are going to be seam sealed should be cleaned and painted or epoxy primed before the seam sealer goes on and then the whole inside of the box can be painted after. I try to keep the rust from growing under the seam sealer and if you do not treat the areas under the seam sealer it will get rusty at least in this state with all the salt and chemicals they dump on the road.

[truckin 79]

Let me ask you where is the spot weld on truck bed fender at exactly that needs to be spilt

[tucsonjwt]

I got seam sealer from the auto paint store in a caulking cartridge. It was pricey (about $20) but it was soft and firmed up nicely after a week or two.

[LBJ]

I had to replace one side panel in the 70's and I used house-grade caulking. Bought it from the home supply or local hardware store. It's still there and in place. I'd buy a premium quality however.

[1774btcrew]

The only place there is a tack weld at all is at the rear stake pocket at the floor. Usually there is a tack weld on each side of the stake pocket. So two tack welds

[CSHADES]

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

The only place there is a tack weld at all is at the rear stake pocket at the floor. Usually there is a tack weld on each side of the stake pocket. So two tack welds

The one I am doing has 2 tack welds on each side at the rear stake pocket. I suppose it depends on what year they are or what factory they were made in.

[gasmn1620]

good info in here. I'm raising my bed floor soon so I will need this stuff too.

[87 STEPPER]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I got seam sealer from the auto paint store in a caulking cartridge. It was pricey (about $20) but it was soft and firmed up nicely after a week or two.

X2 You have to go to a GOOD Auto paint shop/store to get GOOD seam sealer this is because they sell ALOT of it! The auto part's store's don't n who know's how long that stuff has been sittin there.