Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

I used the 3M seam sealer (not the mixed epoxy, just the caulk tube version) - let it set for 24 hours (says it's ready to paint in 40 minutes...). Touched up a few areas - sanded a bit here and there and did a little more skimming to make it nice. I then waited ANOTHER day and primed/painted - 7 days later... LOOKS fantastic - FEELS "mushy". The paint feels tacky - almost like you could leave a finger print in it. 10 days later, out of my shop now but under a covered pole barn, it feels firmer but like a fingernail would dent it. Just curious if anyone else has seen this or might know the issue.

I ADDED SOME PICS AT THE END

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

hey D....are you making this up??? You know you cannot post this without pictures:lol:

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

interested also
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Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

I has been a while since I have worked with seam sealer, but I do remember there are some products out there don't fully "cure" or get hard, hard. I don't remember off hand what the soft set seam sealer is used for but I have ran into the problem of grabbing the wrong tube and having to start over on some projects. If its not the soft set style, it might just be on too thick. I personally think If it was that think it wouldn't have stayed on the panel

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

no....we use seam sealer all the time at the shop...same 3m one also....it stays soft for a log time but dont worry....as long as u dont dig ur nails into like u said there wont be any marks....it just seems soft for a long while but u can still paint it and it dries like normal just stays a little soft but dont worry it will be fine

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

AWESOME!!! I REALLY didn't want to redo it.

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

Doesn't look so good in pics... I wonder if I should have put it on thicker so it didn't show the waves of the metal... What I took out was like 1/2" thick - anyone think I should redo it and go "deeper" with the sealer?

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

Did you cover it im primer after you put in on or straight to painting?

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

Are you supposed to prime then apply the sealer or prime after you put it in?
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Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

I put it on bare metal and THEN primed it.

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

What is the 3M part number of the seam sealer you used?

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

It looks and sounds like 3 M "Fast and Firm" and the firm part is misleading. Not a bad thing as it needs to be a little flexible but you are right as it takes a long time to set. I used it over primer and had to take it out and grind to bare metal. Rubber glove and Zylene will smooth it pretty good but work fast as it will tack in short time...Roger

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

ya the 3m fast and firm is a good product it comes like in a blue and white tube.....he is right up there ^....just put a glove on....after it has been sitting for a while dip ur finger in some kind of solvent....even a bit of paint reducer works well just to smooth it out really nice....but let it sit for a bit....maybe 30min or so that way it is a little firmer and will smooth out nicer.....good luck

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

I used the sealpro 08300. I edited my previous post - not sure why I got it out of order but I put it on the bare metal and THEN I primed.

Re: Seam sealer set up time... ever????
 

It's been a while since I first posted this so I'll TTT - still curios if it looks like I have enough in there or should I add more? I can't say I've ever seen an original so I don't have anything to judge by. Thanks all.