Drip Rail
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 45
Likes: 11
From: San Jose, CA
Is this the drip rail sealant you would recommend?
The description says
"3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is a heavy-based sealer specifically designed for filling exterior auto body definition seams including roof drip rails on older vehicles. "
The description says
"3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is a heavy-based sealer specifically designed for filling exterior auto body definition seams including roof drip rails on older vehicles. "
Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 348
Likes: 29
From: NW LA
Is this the drip rail sealant you would recommend?
3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer
The description says
"3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is a heavy-based sealer specifically designed for filling exterior auto body definition seams including roof drip rails on older vehicles. "
3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer
The description says
"3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is a heavy-based sealer specifically designed for filling exterior auto body definition seams including roof drip rails on older vehicles. "
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 45
Likes: 11
From: San Jose, CA
Do you have a 3M product that you have used in a drip rail application that you could recommend?
The 3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is the only 3M product that I have found that mentions use in a drip rail application. I've seen SEM products for drip rail applications, but they are quite a bit more complex in application methodology. The Drip-Chek Sealer looks like the easiest product to use for non-professional DIYers.
The 3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is the only 3M product that I have found that mentions use in a drip rail application. I've seen SEM products for drip rail applications, but they are quite a bit more complex in application methodology. The Drip-Chek Sealer looks like the easiest product to use for non-professional DIYers.
Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 348
Likes: 29
From: NW LA
Do you have a 3M product that you have used in a drip rail application that you could recommend?
The 3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is the only 3M product that I have found that mentions use in a drip rail application. I've seen SEM products for drip rail applications, but they are quite a bit more complex in application methodology. The Drip-Chek Sealer looks like the easiest product to use for non-professional DIYers.
The 3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer is the only 3M product that I have found that mentions use in a drip rail application. I've seen SEM products for drip rail applications, but they are quite a bit more complex in application methodology. The Drip-Chek Sealer looks like the easiest product to use for non-professional DIYers.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 482
Likes: 51
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
I was ocd on bumpside truck#2 drip rails because #1 had drip rail rust in progress.
I hand tooled all existing sealer out, used a heat gun to soften it. Wire wheeled, then sand blasted it. There’s a weld at the bottom I didn’t want water soaking into. Degreased then used acid etch. I used the aluminized rust bonding ‘masterseries’ paint then seam sealed, then top coated. Major pita but peace of mind for me. On the inside of cab I used undercoating wands to clean/etch/ then used the wax based coating. Don’t know if there was much rust preventative added up in those cavities you can’t see but feel with fingers. .02$
I hand tooled all existing sealer out, used a heat gun to soften it. Wire wheeled, then sand blasted it. There’s a weld at the bottom I didn’t want water soaking into. Degreased then used acid etch. I used the aluminized rust bonding ‘masterseries’ paint then seam sealed, then top coated. Major pita but peace of mind for me. On the inside of cab I used undercoating wands to clean/etch/ then used the wax based coating. Don’t know if there was much rust preventative added up in those cavities you can’t see but feel with fingers. .02$
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 106
From: COSMOS
Same Way
I was ocd on bumpside truck#2 drip rails because #1 had drip rail rust in progress.
I hand tooled all existing sealer out, used a heat gun to soften it. Wire wheeled, then sand blasted it. There’s a weld at the bottom I didn’t want water soaking into. Degreased then used acid etch. I used the aluminized rust bonding ‘masterseries’ paint then seam sealed, then top coated. Major pita but peace of mind for me. On the inside of cab I used undercoating wands to clean/etch/ then used the wax based coating. Don’t know if there was much rust preventative added up in those cavities you can’t see but feel with fingers. .02$
I hand tooled all existing sealer out, used a heat gun to soften it. Wire wheeled, then sand blasted it. There’s a weld at the bottom I didn’t want water soaking into. Degreased then used acid etch. I used the aluminized rust bonding ‘masterseries’ paint then seam sealed, then top coated. Major pita but peace of mind for me. On the inside of cab I used undercoating wands to clean/etch/ then used the wax based coating. Don’t know if there was much rust preventative added up in those cavities you can’t see but feel with fingers. .02$
I think I read a post where someone took their drip rail off..........oh now I just realized they may removed it but did not put it back......oh I see now
I was thinking you could take it off and reinstall it............this is why I keep asking..........now it appears you cannot do this !!!!!!!
Also will you elaborate on how exactly are these connected to the truck, it appears from this post you can see the rail seam from the inside , I have been to bust to look......
or even think about it......
Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 348
Likes: 29
From: NW LA
Look at this thread regarding a drip rail in general...https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...st-repair.html. It has a picture to indicate how the drip rail/roof intersect. _ Tony.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 106
From: COSMOS
Look at this thread regarding a drip rail in general...https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...st-repair.html. It has a picture to indicate how the drip rail/roof intersect. _ Tony.
MANY THANKS 
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 54
Likes: 15
From: New Mexico
That 3m stuff works great. But a word from the wise mask of any area close and make sure it’s smooth before it dries. It is near impossible to remove or sand and it’s usually applied under final primer coat. Good luck
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 482
Likes: 51
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
I did drip rails and bed seam with the method In post #20, as bumpsideguy mentioned that seam sealer is tough to get contoured right. I had a ton of rags and a gallon of reducer. The reducer helped thin and remove mistakes or helped smoothing the finish. Kind of the same technique as caulking trim woodwork somewhere between ‘less is more’ and too much sometimes.
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