Paint and Seam Work

T

Tom Katzenberger

Well-known member
Jun 26, 2019
795
287
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Happy New year to all,

I hope this year brings many blessing to the GMC Community.

I am getting ready to send the coach out for painting, but have an issue to take care of first, seam sealing. Is it better to paint the coach then
seal the seams or better to seal the seams then paint the coach, i.e. paint under the sealer or paint over the sealer.

What is the latest greatest material for sealing seams? I do have one de-bonded vertical seam behind the driver on the left side.

Thanks in advance for any opinions?

Take care all,
Tom K.
--
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee
Ignition
 
The best paint job is achieved when all windows, rub strips, etc. are
removed. If any mechanical flaws are present (loose lap seams, etc) they
should be repaired as well as sealed before paint is applied. Use paintable
sealants. On a GMC, leave the drip rail alone on late coaches. Work on
sealing the ends of the drip rails carefully.
Others have different opinions on this subject.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

> Happy New year to all,
>
> I hope this year brings many blessing to the GMC Community.
>
> I am getting ready to send the coach out for painting, but have an issue
> to take care of first, seam sealing. Is it better to paint the coach then
> seal the seams or better to seal the seams then paint the coach, i.e.
> paint under the sealer or paint over the sealer.
>
> What is the latest greatest material for sealing seams? I do have one
> de-bonded vertical seam behind the driver on the left side.
>
> Thanks in advance for any opinions?
>
> Take care all,
> Tom K.
> --
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> Kingsville, Maryland,
> 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control,
> Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee
> Ignition
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
 
There is a product called automotive seam sealer and all seam should be
done before painting. Most auto parts stores that handle painting stuff
carry it. Sealing seams after painting will never look good, and it will
never color match. Most seam will almost disappear under the paint work.
I have had several coaches painted and that is how it was done. Let your
painter do it.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)

> Happy New year to all,
>
> I hope this year brings many blessing to the GMC Community.
>
> I am getting ready to send the coach out for painting, but have an issue
> to take care of first, seam sealing. Is it better to paint the coach then
> seal the seams or better to seal the seams then paint the coach, i.e.
> paint under the sealer or paint over the sealer.
>
> What is the latest greatest material for sealing seams? I do have one
> de-bonded vertical seam behind the driver on the left side.
>
> Thanks in advance for any opinions?
>
> Take care all,
> Tom K.
> --
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> Kingsville, Maryland,
> 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control,
> Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee
> Ignition
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
 
Agree Jim....do it correctly and it will last....

CJ Vermeulen, Scribbler

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Hupy"
To: "gmclist"
Sent: Saturday, January 1, 2022 2:58:17 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Re: Paint and Seam Work

The best paint job is achieved when all windows, rub strips, etc. are
removed. If any mechanical flaws are present (loose lap seams, etc) they
should be repaired as well as sealed before paint is applied. Use paintable
sealants. On a GMC, leave the drip rail alone on late coaches. Work on
sealing the ends of the drip rails carefully.
Others have different opinions on this subject.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

> Happy New year to all,
>
> I hope this year brings many blessing to the GMC Community.
>
> I am getting ready to send the coach out for painting, but have an issue
> to take care of first, seam sealing. Is it better to paint the coach then
> seal the seams or better to seal the seams then paint the coach, i.e.
> paint under the sealer or paint over the sealer.
>
> What is the latest greatest material for sealing seams? I do have one
> de-bonded vertical seam behind the driver on the left side.
>
> Thanks in advance for any opinions?
>
> Take care all,
> Tom K.
> --
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> Kingsville, Maryland,
> 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control,
> Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee
> Ignition
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
 
You are going to want to address the delam on the back of the cockpit prior
to painting. There are a number of suitable cross bonding products to re
secure and seal that joint. If your painter is unaware of any I’d be
skeptical about having him go further with painting. I assume the paint
facility is also a body repair facility?

Sully
Bellevue wa

> Agree Jim....do it correctly and it will last....
>
> CJ Vermeulen, Scribbler
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "James Hupy"
> To: "gmclist"
> Sent: Saturday, January 1, 2022 2:58:17 PM
> Subject: [GMCnet] Re: Paint and Seam Work
>
> The best paint job is achieved when all windows, rub strips, etc. are
> removed. If any mechanical flaws are present (loose lap seams, etc) they
> should be repaired as well as sealed before paint is applied. Use paintable
> sealants. On a GMC, leave the drip rail alone on late coaches. Work on
> sealing the ends of the drip rails carefully.
> Others have different opinions on this subject.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
>

>
> > Happy New year to all,
> >
> > I hope this year brings many blessing to the GMC Community.
> >
> > I am getting ready to send the coach out for painting, but have an issue
> > to take care of first, seam sealing. Is it better to paint the coach then
> > seal the seams or better to seal the seams then paint the coach, i.e.
> > paint under the sealer or paint over the sealer.
> >
> > What is the latest greatest material for sealing seams? I do have one
> > de-bonded vertical seam behind the driver on the left side.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any opinions?
> >
> > Take care all,
> > Tom K.
> > --
> > Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> > Kingsville, Maryland,
> > 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark
> Control,
> > Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee
> > Ignition
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
 
James H, you mentioned the gutter seaming to be left alone on later models. What is considered the later models?

Thanks,
TG
--
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
 
If it has a turned up lower edge for a rain gutter, it is the later style.
The factory used some kind of black, NASTY, sealant under them, and about
the only place they leak is on the end caps, and around the fasteners if
those are loose. Having removed both the non-rain gutter style (early) and
the late ones, you can carefully remove the early style without doing much
damage. But the later ones you are going to bend the heck out of when you
remove them.
Todd Sullivan may have a better plan for them than I do, he runs
Seattle Collision Center and is my go-to guy for sealants, bonding agents
and etc. Also a past owner of GMC's.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

> James H, you mentioned the gutter seaming to be left alone on later
> models. What is considered the later models?
>
> Thanks,
> TG
> --
> Tom Geiger
> 76 Eleganza II
> KCMO
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
 
Sully runs a body shop so he knows about how important it is to have people
there that can repair those weak spots first.
Proof is after few years later and see what surfaces up.

> If it has a turned up lower edge for a rain gutter, it is the later style.
> The factory used some kind of black, NASTY, sealant under them, and about
> the only place they leak is on the end caps, and around the fasteners if
> those are loose. Having removed both the non-rain gutter style (early) and
> the late ones, you can carefully remove the early style without doing much
> damage. But the later ones you are going to bend the heck out of when you
> remove them.
> Todd Sullivan may have a better plan for them than I do, he runs
> Seattle Collision Center and is my go-to guy for sealants, bonding agents
> and etc. Also a past owner of GMC's.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>

>
> > James H, you mentioned the gutter seaming to be left alone on later
> > models. What is considered the later models?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > TG
> > --
> > Tom Geiger
> > 76 Eleganza II
> > KCMO
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Thank you all,

Some very nice tips and tricks by all. It is greatly appreciated.

Take care, stay healthy and really enjoy this new year,
Tom K.
--
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee
Ignition
 
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