When I had my 73 TR6 repainted (after all new body panels), I did not put any
seam sealer into the 'crack' at the fenders, rear deck, and forward pieces
joints. Instead, I primed and undercoated the flanges (where the panels bolt
together) of those pieces, bolted/screwed the pieces together, and had the body
shop paint the car.
I debated a long time as to whether or not to 'seal' these joints.
After a year and a half, I am satisified with this approach. One problem with
sealing these joints is that the paint will dry on the sealant, which will then
crack , causing the paint to crack. I saw this on almost every TR6 I looked at
before I painted mine. The only TR6 that did not have cracking of the paint at
these joints was one that did not have the joints sealed.
My car has a nice clean look to the joints. The paint was able to flow down
the seams giving a smooth appearance. The underneath and flanges of the panel
are undercoated (kind of a tarry substance) so they will not rust, and this
undercoating prevents moisture from getting in. I also regularly spray the
inner parts of the car with a creeping 'oil' substance to prevent rust from
starting.
The TR6 body flexes, and joint sealer will cause cracking after a while.
My two cents worth
Robert Carley
73 TR6
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tim Hickey wrote:
> I am about ready to paint, (or have painted) a 1973 TR6. I am doing the
> priming and wet sanding. I have installed all new fenders and rockers, and
> valances. Should some seam sealer be placed in the seam between the rear
> fenders and the deck just in front of the trunk? How about down by the
> rockers where the fenders overlap the rocker? And where the fenders join
> the front and rear valance? I am in Southeast Iowa, and I don't know of any
> TR's to go look at in my neighborhood. It seems like a sealer or filler
> would be the right thing to do. What do you think?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tim Hickey
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