HOW TO: Replicate a GM Seam Sealer Bead

Ryan Marrinan, 3M Application Engineer, talks about how to replicate a door skin bead, particularly on a Chevy Malibu, which has a little higher-profile bead.
Step 1: Prep your panel (00:28)
Get your epoxy primer down to cover up any bare exposed metal. Tape off the bead width you want, and remember that the GM bead is a little bit taller and narrower. It’s going to have just a little bit of drop - it’ll widen out as it starts to settle down.
Step 2: Prep your seam sealer (00:51)
Grab your applicator and equalize the cartridge. For this application we’re using our 3M™ EZ Sand Multi Surface Repair Material 05887. As with all our cartridges, equalize it upward into a paper towel to make sure you’ve got equal parts A and B being dispensed. Put the lock ring back on the nozzle and dispense two to three inches of material out onto the mixing board or back into the paper towel to make sure you have an equal mix.
Step 3: Lay the first bead (01:40)
Apply the seam sealer right over the top of the hem flange. As you dispense the material, push it inward toward the flange, making sure it’s being forced onto the surface and along the seam so you get a nice tight seal and proper corrosion resistance. Next, take a spreader that’s been trimmed down to about a third of its regular size and knock down the surface so the material goes tape to tape.
Best practice (02:38)
When you’re working on a new panel, whether it’s a door, deck lid or hood, it’s important to start from one place each time as you go through the process. When you tape, when you dispense the material and knock it down, and when you apply the next bead, go back and start each step at the same spot. This way the material has a consistent amount of time to sit and you get a nice even look all the way around the panel.
Step 4: Lay the second bead (03:20)
After you’ve knocked it down, apply another bead right over the top. This material acts like a high-build controlled-flow seam sealer, and it’s going to melt nicely into the surface below because you’re still within the working window of both beads. As the second bead starts to melt in, you’ll get the look you’re trying to achieve.
Step 5: Remove the tape (04:10)
It’s important to pull the tape backward against itself or inward a little bit so you don’t accidentally make a little ledge or tidal wave off the edge of the seam sealer, which makes it difficult for the painter to ensure a full corrosion-resistant repair. So pull the tape off back against itself, and as you get to the corner, kind of roll it around, and again use the tape as a knife edge to create a nice clean cut.
Step 6: Pinch off the corners (05:07)
While you’re still within the working window, pinch off the corners. Some of the repair procedures tell you how far in or how much to pinch off, so some might be a little further in, some might be shallow. But the reason we do this is so water can drain out instead of building up along the edge and damaging the surface of the finish.
Important note:
There are of course many factors and variables that can affect an individual repair, so the technician and repair facility need to evaluate each specific application and repair process, including relevant vehicle, part and OEM guidelines, and determine what is appropriate for that repair.
Products used in this video:
3M™ EZ Sand Multi Surface Repair Material 05887
www.3m.com/3M/...
3M™ Dynatron™ Yellow Spreader
www.3m.com/3M/...
For more advanced tutorials, check out 3M Collision Repair Academy
www.3m.com/3M/...
You’ll find courses that will expand your knowledge, deliver practical procedures that you can use right away, and, in many cases, earn you I-CAR credits.
Website: 3MCollision.com
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Facebook: 3MCollision

[@bigblocklawyer]

This is old but the sound quality and volume are fantastic. I listen to my Note 10 in the bathroom while shaving and showering and without a Bluetooth speaker I can never hear the videos. I actually didn't need to turn the volume all the way up. Well done.

[@alvarosayt]

this great video with 0 comments!?¿ just simple and educational

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I'd like to see him do that on an entire door panel without the pneumatic gun. It sucks trying to get a nice bead with a regular click type gun

[@deankay4434]

@D.A.L. I agree completely with your description because time is an issue plus temperature. Since mid 70’s I have never worked in an air conditioned shop and sweat pours inside my ears I never knew were their. But using a manual gun versus a pneumatic dispenser is an expensive decision. It was addressed in another video referring to your exact question. Keeping the product in a air conditioned room can slow down the curing process but 30 minutes goes by quick on a hood, trunk lid or most doors. Especially like this double application. It is like many things tools, buy SnapOn or harbor freight? These are investments going forward depending on a shop owner say age 55. You have a 10 year window hopefully to re-coupe this investment as I don’t see the cartridges changing or their use required less. If age 40, it is a no brained, but in a shop with 6 or more, ask the manager or owner, perhaps both. If I buy this to make my end results better, they benefit. I need a raise or the shop can purchase it. If I purchase it myself, I will take a copy on have the current manager & owner sign it with a witness as it is yours and leaves with you if you quit, move, shop goes under, owner gets divorced etc. I would weigh all of the possibilities. I would buy one for myself but cover my butt and engrave it and take a photo of the tool, date and paperwork. I have a hydraulic transmission jack moved during a dealership buy sell. I never got the jack. They denied they had it and a color copy from the used jack $640+ was answered by a team of lawyers. Needless to say, I don’t have a jack! Best of luck.

[@draggngmac386]

If you dont move fast with any 3m seam sealer, it will tack up and string out when you pull your tape. Then you have to sand it down some for the painter to roll the sharp edges. Ive found that doing one edge seam at a time(depending on the finish youre going for) is best, even if toy have to waste a few more tips

[@jerrytietz5204]

Keep up the awesome videos!

[@evielovejoe]

Nice one

[@technicalitems731]

How much is the gun and how much is the bonding agent?

[@deankay4434]

@Technical Items. >They don’t respond to questions unless you are a professional body shop or chain of several fanhcisesx. The simple dual cartridge hand operated dispenser for 200ml starts at $90. They offer an air operated model plus one that uses a pneumatic drill motor type. Most all are a 2:1 mix ratio and comes in 500ml sizes for the more very expensive machines. They have 4 different seam sealer and 3 different panel bond materials so each is a different retail cost. Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful. ASE Master Tech since 78