What was used or what should I use to seal the bed panel on my 70 El Camino?

Keith

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Keith
1970 El Camino SS396
RPO L-78

Its not correct, I used paintable window caulking from a home store. Put it on plenty heavy, tightened down the panel and wiped off excess with a damp rag. It stayed water tight for 3 years.


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Rick
72 El Camino (http://members.home.net/jimmy4/rick1972elky.html)
TPI350/700r4
TC#00038
ACES#00140

I need something that's black. The 8 balls at the body shop painted the panel with it off the car and returned it to me that way. So now I have to figure out how to get it in there without scratching the hell out of my freshly painted bed.

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Keith
1970 El Camino SS396
RPO L-78

I'm not sure if that panel can be put in without scratching anything. Its been a while since I removed mine, but I think that it rubbed on at least one side while removing. Ok, for the sealent, take a trip down to your local auto paint store, they may have a black all around auto body sealent. I used some stuff made by PPG called all around auto body sealent, but it was white. Another thing that you could do is use the white stuff and then take a small paint brush and paint the sealent after it is setup.

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Bryan Shook
My website with lots of classic cars (http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/speedway/6673)
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Options, Codes & Pricing (http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/6673/elky-options.html)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

Why are you wanting to seal up the cover? Maybe the 70 is different, but my 64 was not sealed from the factory. If you do seal it how will it drain when it gets water in it?

The 70's have drain holes in the bottom of the compartment. And they were sealed from the factory.

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Bryan Shook
My website with lots of classic cars (http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/speedway/6673)
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Options, Codes & Pricing (http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/6673/elky-options.html)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

I think it may have a tendancy to rattle if you don't get it sealed up.

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Keith
1970 El Camino SS396
RPO L-78

My 64 did have some foam looking strips on the panel which looked more like anti-rattle than a seal. When I wash it the water flows thru that panel and out the holes in the bottom of the floor. I have never seen the 68-72 so it may work different. My 78 doesn't have a removable panel.

If your not a resto type. I would use Black
RTV selant DOW.
For installing the pannel with out chipping you fresh paint. go to good hardware place and get naylon washers to place under the head of the boddy bolts

Wayne Kline
ACES 1556
TCg


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3-M makes a silicone in black, white or clear. If you want the sealant to be the same color shade as the car then I suggest using the clear.
Seal your panel in and smooth the exsessive squeeze out with your finger or a small spoon. Once its dry, use a foam brush to paint the sealant. I recommend the foam brush because you can trim it to fit the corners and it doesn't leave fibers or brush marks.

Worked for me on my old 69 Elcamino http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Dale
Lowered '67 Elcamino
ZZ430HP / 4L60
"Canyon Carver"
www.chevelles.com/showroom/elkydriveway1.jpeg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/elkydriveway1.jpeg)

3M also makes a product called "strip Caulk" - black and very sticky. Used lots on firewalls etc.. It would seal it and be removable, but very sticky/messy when the cover is removed. Good stuff to have on hand. Used lots by the factory.
I plan to coat the inside of the compartment on my 64 the same as the bed and NOT seal it so the space can be used.Mine DOES have drain holes.
Why would this compartment rust worse than the bed ?? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Gotta have a Chevy !In Durham N.C.
Make it look the way you like it, forget what the other guys say! :D

To prevent scratching just put 3M electrical tape all around the outside edge of the panel. Fold about 1/3 of the tape over the edge to the underside. When the panel is in place, just peel the tape off from the top. You may have to raise the panel slightly to get the bottom edge off, but once you get it started it will come off easily enough. Not 100% foolproof, but better than metal edge to paint.

Good idea, thanks for the tip. I'm also going to line the areas of the bed around that panel with some thin cardboard. I think with some good preparation and a little patience I can get it in there without scratching. Thanks also to all those who replied with tips on sealing the panel!!

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Keith
1970 El Camino SS396
RPO L-78