Non Adhesive Water Proofing

[Richard]

Non adhesive water proofing.
I looking for a way of sealing the edges around an access panel without glueing it shut. Something that wouldn’t run in hot weather but would allow me to take the panel off and on to access the wiring inside. Maybe high temp grease, etc. Thanks for the help.

[Jack]

I know exactly what your talking about, all the foam adhesive that they put on SPF cars absorbs water like a sponge, poor choice for a sealant. I peeled off the old and put a bead of black silicon rubber around the panel, let it dry and then screwed it back to the car. Mike Trusty brought subject to my attention before I even bought the car, he suggested a material that could be cut like a gasket and used, I took the easy way and just used silicon rubber and let it cure before putting it back on. The panels that are in the wheel wells for the fuel tanks are really important as if water gets into that area its hidden and sure to rust out. The material he suggested is used in heat and air contractors shops, its very thin and is the same material used to wrap pipes to keep them from freezing. I can for the life of me think of the name of it.

[JohnMcL]

Try closed-cell neoprene foam rubber, smooth-skinned both sides. Lots of thicknesses available. Get it from suppliers of rubber gasket material or surf-boarders wetsuit shops. Its non-absorbant, good at high temp and with oil.
John McL

[Richard]

I’m looking for a way to seal the louvered roof vent. I don’t need to bore you with the details yet but it needs to be a thin as possible like silicon, or grease but has to be able to come apart without bending the louvered piece.