Car Seam Sealant used during repair and installation work to protect the joints of various parts from the effects of corrosion and other harmful factors. Sealants are divided by composition, as well as type of application. In addition, they are divided into professional and popular. The former are usually sold in bulk packs and are used mainly in repair shops. The latter are sold in small, convenient packages and are intended for one-time use in DIY garage repairs.
Based on their composition, automotive seam sealants are divided into five types - silicone, acrylic, polyurethane, anaerobic and bitumen. According to the method of application, they are also divided into four types - sprayed, brush-applied, tape-sealants, and sealants in a tube. Each of the listed types has its own characteristics and can be used to implement specific purposes. At the end of this material there is a complete description of popular body sealants, a list of which you can find in the table.
| Name of sealant | Brief information and description | Package volume, ml/mg | Price of one package as of summer 2021, Russian rubles |
| Merbenit XS55 | One-component high-strength adhesive-sealant. It is very durable and can withstand shock and vibration. Protects from moisture and ultraviolet radiation. Can be painted. Available in white, gray and black. | 290 | 800 |
| Body 999 | One-component sealant based on rubber and synthetic resins. Can be painted. Please note that it is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation! Sold in a cartridge and a jar for a brush. | 1 kg | 470 |
| ZM 08537 | Sealant for application by brush. Resistant to process fluids and moisture. After drying it can be painted. Sold in cartridges and jars. | 1 kg | 2000 |
| Teroson Terostat 9320 | Sealant with a spray system, applied using a gun. Has noise-absorbing properties. Can be applied to varnished and clean surfaces. UV resistant. | 300 | 1000 |
| Novol Gravit 630 | One-component polyurethane sealant for sealing seams in metal. Resistant to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and process fluids. Applying varnish is allowed 2 hours after sealing the seams with sealant. | 310 | 350 |
| Reoflex Brush Sealant | Suture hand sealant (applied with a brush). Has noise-absorbing properties. In air at a temperature of +20°C it dries in 6 hours. | 0.8 kg | 550 |
| APP PU-50 | White polyurethane one-component sealant. Can be used with various materials - metal, plastic, glass. Can be painted with enamel. | 310 | 260 |
The best automotive sealants for cooling systems
The engine and cooling system are inextricably linked. If a leak develops in the radiator, it can lead to damage to the entire engine. Fixing the gap from the outside is quite difficult due to the cooling fins, and radiator sealants must simply be poured inside. The glue itself finds the gap and seals it securely. To work with it you do not need to have experience or any special knowledge. Everything is extremely simple and clear. Such sealant should always be in the trunk of the car so that you can use it at any time, even in the middle of the road.
What types of car seam sealants are there based on application method?
Seam sealant for cars is applied in three ways - with a brush, tape, using a tube (manually or with a gun). Each method has its own characteristics, and some categories of sealants have restrictions on the method of application. Each method will be briefly discussed below.
Brush
Such sealants are produced in the form of a thick liquid, and they are sold in metal or plastic containers with a lid of 200, 500 or 1000 milliliters. To use the composition, you need to carefully remove the lid, dip the brush in the liquid and apply it to the welding seam. It is recommended to carry out application work with gloves. The drying time for such compositions is up to 12 hours or more.
Any small width brush with a plastic or wooden handle can serve as a brush. Upon completion of application, the jar should be closed with a lid and placed in a cool, dry place for storage. Canned sealants for brush application typically have a shelf life of 1 year from the date of opening, but no more than 3 years from the date of manufacture . There are also more durable formulations - see the exact date of manufacture on the packaging.
Advantages of the method:
- Sold in containers of different sizes;
- Easy to apply to the weld;
- Can be stored for a long time;
- Convenient for workshops.
Flaws:
- Apply for a long time to the seam surface;
- The method is not suitable for applying paste.
Attention! If the date of manufacture is not indicated on the jar or it is covered up, then there is a high risk that the shelf life of the composition has expired. Or you bought a counterfeit.
Ribbon
It looks like a long tape, on one side of which a sealing compound is applied. To apply it, it is glued on top of the seam along the entire length, and after 1-2 hours it completely hardens and sets. The working surface is usually impregnated with bitumen sealant, although acrylic and silicone-based tapes are also available. There are also double-sided tapes, where an adhesive composition is applied to the second side (in practice, the need for double-sided tape is rarely necessary).
Most tapes are small in width (up to several centimeters). Therefore, this method is not suitable for sealing wide seams, as well as when working with seams of complex shape (roundings, bends). If you are dealing with a non-standard and/or wide seam, it is better to apply it with a brush or an air gun. Benefits of using tape:
- Very convenient application;
- Fast hardening;
- Low price;
- Easy to transport.
Minuses:
- A small variety of sealing compounds;
- Not suitable for sealing complex or wide joints.
Sealants for cars in tubes (squeezable)
Extruded sealants come in two categories:
- Tube containers. These tubes are compact in size. To use, you need to manually dispense the paste from the tube onto the working tool and apply it to the work surface. Paste-like sealants (acrylic, silicone, bitumen) are usually sold in tubes. Tubes are well suited for sealing small seams, while processing large seams with them is inconvenient and time-consuming. The main advantages are low cost, ease of use, large selection. Disadvantages - not suitable for working with large areas, limited shelf life after opening.
- Containers for a pistol. Such containers are made in the form of a narrow cylinder with a long spout at the end. For use, the container is inserted into a mechanical or pneumatic gun. Now the sealant can be applied using a gun to the seam (the gun itself will squeeze out the compound). Using the gun is very convenient, and with its help you can quickly and conveniently process any area. The main advantages are very convenient use, good selection, large capacity. No significant deficiencies were found.
2 Hera
Russian manufacturers do not lag behind global brands, producing reliable sealants for radiators and engines at the most attractive prices. Before us is a striking example of the fact that a quality product does not have to cost exorbitant amounts of money. As car repair experts note, Hera copes with its main tasks one hundred percent. True, not as fast as we would like. For example, for high-quality clutch, the fluid must be poured onto a completely cooled engine, then start the car and warm it up.
Disadvantages also include the appearance of the product. It is worth noting that Russian brands rarely bother with packaging. Frankly speaking, this sealant looks as unattractive as possible. Yes, packaging does not in any way affect the quality of the product, but we, ordinary consumers, have long been accustomed to colorful cans and other containers, which by their very appearance pleases the eye and makes us buy this product, despite the often inflated cost.
Classification
Sealant is an elastic substance used to prevent leakage of working fluids through gaps. It helps to reliably seal seams, glue materials, fill cracks and punctures.
Important characteristics are the composition of the substance and its scope of application. Without knowledge of these properties, it is impossible to carry out high-quality repairs, which is why the types of sealing agents for cars are divided according to them.
According to the scope of application, materials intended for:
- sealing joints of glass, headlights;
- body repair;
- exhaust system installation;
- sealing threaded and bolted connections.
When choosing, the composition of the product is given no less importance.
Anaerobic
The substance is based on dithalacryl esters. This type ensures tightness of small metal gaps where there is no oxygen. This allows you to take your time during installation. It does not dry out as long as air remains available. Its consistency remains liquid.
As soon as contact with oxygen ceases and the product enters the metal gap, it transforms into a solid substance in 30 minutes. It is resistant to vibrations and technological environments of any physical state. Also, he is not afraid of changes in pressure and temperature.
The disadvantages include filling only small gaps. Installation of non-metal surfaces at low temperatures requires an additional activator.
Silicone
The best silicone sealants for cars are widely used by non-professionals. They have high elasticity and strength.
The substance polarizes materials in the presence of moist air. The hardening period is 10 minutes. During this period, installation must be done.
The advantages of the sealant are oil resistance, heat resistance. It is resistant to temperatures up to +300 degrees, which makes it possible to use it in engine parts.
Such compositions have high resistance to pressure and operating speeds. The substance is capable of filling a gap up to 6 mm in size. The disadvantage of the material is the requirement for absolute cleanliness of the sealed surfaces of the car.
Synthetic and ceramic
The best synthetic sealants are based on synthetic resins. This is a multifunctional product, which makes its use popular to ensure the impermeability of many elements. It is not afraid of high humidity and ultraviolet radiation.
Ceramic sealants are based on synthetic substances in combination with ceramic components. They are durable and have high heat resistance. Mainly used:
- to ensure the tightness of the gas exhaust system;
- repair of small cracks in mufflers;
- sealing burnt holes.
Application of anaerobic compounds
Typically, sealants are sold in small tubes with a thin neck, through which it is convenient to squeeze them out even into hard-to-reach places. Also on sale are products in bottles equipped with a brush, which also makes the work simple and quick.
Bottle with Triboplast composition with a thin nozzle for application
Application technology
Before using the anaerobic fixative, all surfaces are cleaned of dirt, dust, and degreased. They must be dried, since products of this type do not adhere well to wet surfaces. A solvent (acetone, white spirit or any other) is excellent for processing materials.
The sealant should be applied to the joint on both sides - inside and outside - or to two parts. This will allow the composition to be distributed in an even layer and eliminate the appearance of ungreased areas. The procedure will be as follows:
- Shake the package, then open it.
- Apply sealant in a thin layer.
- Fix the parts and hold for 30 seconds.
- Remove any spilled compound with a soft cloth.
- Leave the products until the sealant has completely hardened (the time is always indicated on the packaging). You can use the parts after a day.
Anaerobic type fixatives best demonstrate their properties on pipe connections with a diameter of up to 8 cm. If the surface is rough, the setting will be stronger than on smooth substrates.
The choice of professionals
There is a large selection of similar adhesive-sealants, but not all of them are of equal quality. Also, not all are suitable for specific models. You need to find out about compatibility in advance. You can find out which sealant is best for a car engine in the operating instructions. Manufacturers usually indicate such information. Professional auto mechanics recommend time-tested products. These are compositions from the line from GOZETTE and Loctite. These are anaerobic compounds with excellent characteristics - say the reviews.
The materials harden in literally 20 minutes. If for some reason the engine starts prematurely, the Loctite anaerobic sealant for the engine will not lose its properties. The durability of this product has been proven in practice hundreds of times, as reviews say. The internal combustion engine can operate without any leaks for 200 thousand kilometers. The only drawback of professional products is the high price.
Composition of the product
Anaerobic fixatives are based on acrylic oligomers and monomers (adhesives), which do not cure in the packaging due to the vapor permeability of its walls. In addition, the compositions may include pigments, plasticizers, polymerization initiators (accelerators), and stabilizers. Depending on the consistency, the amount of thickeners in them may vary: there are fewer of them in gel forms than in paste forms.
Flange and Bushing Sealing Products
Glue for glass and headlights
A sealant is used to repair and install the headlight. The composition and manufacturer must be selected according to the recommendations specified in the service book. It is also worth considering what material – glass or polycarbonate – the headlights and glass are made of. Many sealants are incompatible with polycarbonate and can destroy it.
The color of the material does not affect its properties. Automotive sealant, black and transparent, will have the same characteristics, although from an aesthetic point of view, the latter are more often used for headlights and glass.
Before applying and replacing sealant, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation of the surface and get rid of the old material. To do this, the material is preheated with a technical hairdryer. The heated sealant can be easily cut with a sharp knife or a thin flat screwdriver. It is recommended to carry out this work in stages to prevent overheating of the plastic. After complete cleaning, a new composition is applied.
Peculiarities
Among the properties of this product is high elasticity, which remains even after the material hardens. Due to this elasticity, very durable and reliable connections are obtained. The sealant does not lose softness due to oxygen.
This feature means that you can work with sealants without haste or fuss. The material can be safely applied and parts installed on the engine. The only disadvantages the reviews include is that these compounds can only be applied to almost perfectly flat surfaces.
