Does anyone have any experience with the body panel adhesives that is being used on newer vehicles? I have seen the product that comes as a two part mixture but don't recall the name. Will this work for patch panels on older vehicles?

 

I Use them all the time. There is Duramix, Speed Grip, Fusor and others. This is one of the greatest products you can have when doing repair work.
It works on older vehicles just as well. When using patch panels, I flange the panel, use a few select spot welds in combination with the adhesive, although it is not needed. If you are doing large panels such as quarter panels, get the 45 minute work time, otherwise 15 minute work time is plenty. Read the directions and check with the manufacturers tech line to see if there is anything needed before priming, or if anything is needed before covering with body filler. I know some brands need to be primed before filler goes on top of them.

 

I agree. I'm a big fan of adhesive.
BMW, Mercedes and all the higher end cars, are using them. Why? Because, they are using more aluminum in their cars. And you can't weld aluminum and steel together.
BMW uses robotic adhesive applicators. Pretty cool to watch.
I use the SEM 90 minute mix.

 

Thanks for the replies. This sounds much easier with no chance of warping the panel due to heat.

 

3Ms Pannel Bond is great also a freind of mine said they did a demo when it first came out they glued to panels together than after it dried they hooked it to the frame rack and tried to pull it apart and the metal ripped away were it wasnt glued

 

i've been looking around at some different adhesive options...the glue is cheap enough, but most seem to require an aplicator gun that is almost $150. Is there any product that doesn't need an aplicator? All the 3M products I have found need one. I'm working on my rear wheel arches on an 82 f250. Would it be suficient to hold the panel in place with some rivits so the adhesive can dry, then grind them off and put some filler over the top? I have welding experience. Thanks for any help!

 

Regarding the applicator gun, they make an aftermarket gun that's only $45 that does the job just as well as the 3M gun. Your local paint supply shop should have it or be able to get it for you.

Good luck, Ive just started using it to epoxy patch panels on my old Econoline.

 

Don't buy the gun. Push out equal amounts, mix with a "bondo" spreader and apply it with the spreader.

 

I am guessing that test they did they tried to pull them straight apart. I believe the adhesives have good strength in one direction but not quite as good sheer strength or something like that. They use to recommend still placing a few spotwelds when replacing large panels. As far as I know they are still not recommended for repairs on any body parts considered structural, but they are more widely accepted today, and auto manufacturers are using them for more and more applications. Remember clamping is what gives the adhesive bond strenth so you should try to clamp or screw the piece in while the adhesivei is curing.
I heard that the mix ratio is pretty important and some manufacturers of guns went out of business because they were a little off. I am not saying you way doesn't work for you zanny, but it would be hard to get an exact mix ratio and a good bead squirting it out and applying with a spreader. Probably not quite as big a deal for a small outer bodypanel patch. I am not sure of any of this, just relaying information I've heard.
I ran into the same problem looking for an applicator gun. Every supplier in town wanted at least $100 for a gun. If you buy enough tubes of adhesive, sometimes they will give you a gun, but at at least $30 a pop, that could get very expensive to get a free gun. The mixing tips are kinda pricey too, over a buck a piece I believe. When I ran out I had to buy a whole bag, but that could have just been the supplier.
I ended up modifying a caulk gun to use to apply after buying a tube of adhesive. I welded two rods to the push rod on the caulk gun, made a place for the tube to sit and clamp down, and reinforced the caulk gun. It wasn't pretty, but it worked for my one time use and cost me under$10 bucks to make. If you make something to apply, do at your own risk, since you don't know if your mix ratio will be exact. Heres a diagram of what I made.