Bed Corner Cap Replacement Panels

[skoffice]

Has anyone done these or had good luck with them?
I just started doing mine today and I think I regret taking on this task. It seems like it just won't line the curves of the bed up no matter what I do. It is a repop from LMC but jeez this thing is a pain! Also does anyone have any good tips for welding the spot welds up in the upper half? It just doesn't seem possible unless you take the whole stake pocket post out.

[collins10672]

although i have never done this and i am only giving my opinion.the stakepocket was the last thing welded on in the rear corner.the taillamp panel was welded to the upper and lower outer bedside before the stakepocket went in.i have given great thought to this also after the taillamp panels were repoped.i think the stakepocket will have to come out to do a original looking repair.you could also post this over in the paint and bodywork section and get some expert advice.

[jonzcustomshop]

The best idea we came up with was to use the new panel bonding glue instead of spot welding them on.

[skoffice]

Collin that's what it looks like is that darn stake pocket was definitely last. That's a whole nother project in itself haha. Ya I might have to snap some pics and post in there. Arrghh I was hoping this would be a little easier ahahahah!

Jon, where could I find some of this bonding glue? Or who makes it? I have a Napa Paints store close by maybe I'll check there tomorrow.

Thanks for the insight guys!

[Captainfab]

Napa may or may not have it. What you want is the 3M panel bonding adhesive. I don't happen to have the part number. You might check in ScotI's build thread. That's what he used on his big back window conversion. The product is shown there.

Originally Posted by skoffice

Collin that's what it looks like is that darn stake pocket was definitely last. That's a whole nother project in itself haha. Ya I might have to snap some pics and post in there. Arrghh I was hoping this would be a little easier ahahahah!

Jon, where could I find some of this bonding glue? Or who makes it? I have a Napa Paints store close by maybe I'll check there tomorrow.

Thanks for the insight guys!

[skoffice]

Thanks Captainfab I'll check it out. Napa might have it then, they carry a lot of 3M stuff, at least this one does. Wow this stuff must work pretty good then. Big back window conversion, I could only imagine the difficulty LOL.

[jonzcustomshop]

it works so good that the insurance industry wont allow body shops to use it to seam a fender on a modern vehicle, becase it affects the crumple zone...

[skoffice]

You're kidding? Maybe I'll skim coat my truck with it then haha just kidding. Cool I'm on my way to Napa right now if not there is a big paint store a little north from there.

[skoffice]

Sooo I checked out that bonding adhesive yesterday, it's about $32 per 6 oz. tube, which I didn't think was too bad. But the guys said it requires a specific gun that properly mixes it as it's applied. They wanted $250 for this glorified caulking gun! I probably could have figured out a way to apply it manually but I talked to my old boss and he said he would lead the seams for me lol so I'll probably take him up on that and get started tomorrow. Thanks for all your help though guys!

Oh one other thing I thought about doing was taking 3 or 4 small self-tapping screws and drilling the minimal size hole in the cap, evenly spaced, and screwing the two seams together, then just weld up the holes.

[iiizman]

We had a old guy that used to do lead work down here and it was awesome to watch him work. Not to many people do it anymore, but his work always lasted.. I wished I would have paid more attention when he was around.

[skoffice]

iiizman, I plan on watching very closely and intend to learn as much as I can from this old man. He is having me get the lead paste tomorrow morning, I guess they have better products now which make it not quite as dangerous on the acid part.