Dum Dum - Lower Quarter Panel to Tail Pan Corners

[Edgemontvillage]

Looking for feedback on the sealer (dum dum) used on 69's (and possibly other Gen 1's) where the quarter panels meet the bottom corners of the tail pan. On some original paint cars I've seen, the sealer was left unpainted, on others it was clearly painted. The lower vertical intersection of these panels is often poorly finished and the gap between the lower tail pan and quarter panel was given little attention by Fisher Body. I assume the sealer was used to prevent water and road debris accumulating in the panel gap resulting in rust. I've only seen the sealer used on Norwood built cars and examples suggest it's use extended to most (all?) of the 69 production calendar. Any other examples? LA cars? Here are some photos:

Skip L's 9C 69 Norwood X77 (painted sealer)


Benny P's 69 Norwood L78 (unpainted sealer)



69 Norwood L78 (possibly painted)


Vintage photo reportedly taken in the early spring of 69 (Norwood) (unpainted)






   

[Edgemontvillage]

Over 100 views and no reply posts - would have thought there would be some interest in this subject. Although we don't have a Bowtie / Legends judging guide if use of sealer was standard or common practice on Norwood (and LA?) cars does it come up in judging and are there more examples from original paint cars?   

[cook_dw]

Certainly no expert.  But I would think its kinda like the painted master debate.  Probably acceptable either way.  Like you if you can document that the car had it originally then it should be there..  My question would be was this only 69 as I don't recall ever noticing this on 7 or 8's..?.  Maybe some CSI work needs to be done and do a fingerprint analysis and see if we can talk to the guy that originally did the work and get his take to see if he remembers..  Im kidding due to the prints in the dum dum...

[x66 714]

Sneak previews of the 12k car for you Lloyd...Joe

[Edgemontvillage]

Great photos Joe, wonder if sealer was applied on the right side as well and fell off or it was a one side only application? Sealer on the left side appears to be unpainted.

[x66 714]

Nothing has been done to that car. It almost looks like the RH fell off but the car is in Utah so I can't verify. We'll see it at MCACN...Joe

[firstgenaddict]

I like the arc of paint drips above the exhaust on the lower tail pan... and the forming wrinkle in edge of the quarter panel...
I fixed the wrinkles on the convertible I am doing. GRRRRRR

[Edgemontvillage]

Any more examples from original paint cars?  So for no examples from 67s or 68s. 

[cook_dw]

Dec ‘66 original paint NOR car.  Original wheel well undercoating on tail pan.  No dum dum.

[Mike S]

 Here are pictures from my 67 04B LOS coupe still with original paint.
The rear valance metal edges by the end spot weld have what definitely looks like seam sealer painted body color so it was likely applied when the rest of the body was sealed.
The right side picture shows a tiny section where I removed the paint from a sealer blob and it shows a cream color sealer. The left side has a more pronounced raised sealer edge.
Maybe the method was a NOR vs. LOS procedure? I recall John Z. stating that LOS Camaro build operation were slightly different than NOR.

Mike

[Edgemontvillage]

Another example (unpainted) from Warren M's (WorkinProgress) 69 Norwood JL8 Z

[69Z28-RS]

I don't recall seeing anything but gray 3M caulking (dum dum) used on 50s-60s Chevrolet cars (including 1969)...??

[Edgemontvillage]

I don't recall seeing anything but gray 3M caulking (dum dum) used on 50s-60s Chevrolet cars (including 1969)...??

Gary, black caulking/dum dum was commonly used on our cars, on body joints, to seal bolts, to seal rear bumper brackets to the body and even on the windshield washer nozzles.








 

[ko-lek-tor]

Used on quarter window mechanism nuts too

[69Z28-RS]

Lloyd,  My car had the same 'gray' caulking which I've found in my mid-fifties Chevys (and which I believe to be 3M strip caulking) in those locations, although with the absorption of dirt/dust over the years sometimes it may appear to be dark gray /black...

PS.  3M hasn't produced the gray strip caulk in many many years (30-40 or more?) and all they make now is the black, which is also a different formulation.