Nearly ready to put the new door skin on my door frame. Was thinking of putting some Silaflex or mastic of some sort along the fold to try and keep moisture out when I find there is a "Panel Adhesive" made by 3M for such a job. I was going to just put the mastic over the coldgal/primer but see 3M say with their product it must be bare metal to bare metal (strip off all primer) and let the adhesive fill the gap and coat the metal. The YouTube video showing the use of the adhesive says the door must be adjusted (twisted) to fit before the adhesive sets as it will be impossible to do after it sets as the glue adds ridgidity and strength.

Don't know if a Mini door needs the added strength - but my aim is to keep moisture out and protect the panel from within.

Worth the 3M product or just do what I was thinking in the first place?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

They use that panel adhesive instead of welding in some cases, is supposably very very strong stuff!!

You may want to weld/spot weld the skin back on then epoxy prime then apply seam sealer then paint with top coat - might be an easier process as if you don't get things exactly right with the panel adhesive you could get very stuck...

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3m panelbond is awesome stuff,it's actually used instead of welding these days.
It's has a lifetime warrants , it even comes with a certificate !
Thats mostly what's holding the bodykit on mad-mk1 .

I agree with the twisting part I would be making sure everythingis fitting schmicko before the bond goes off !
Cheers Jamie.

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-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

At least it takes 24 hours so there is no rush

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

David, I'm not a panel beater so I don't speak with any authority (although I did work in a panel beaters shop for a number of years.)

The panel bond is great stuff, as already has been said, but I would not use it as you intend to. I would prime the panels, fit the skin, then use a 3M seam sealer over the join if you are worried about moisture getting between the panels. Most cars fromm the 70's to 90's were fitted this way. Not sure, but I think modern cars like the BF and AU have their door skins fitted by glueing. The bond can be released by heat. Not sure what happens to all those late model cars driving around the Northern Territory.

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Member VMCI #19