VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Installing body panels onto wood frame.

Looks like Fisher used some kind of anti friction paste between metal body parts and wood frame to help with friction squeaking.
I have not looked to see if the electricians friction tape is still available.
What are you all using?

What to use for a paintable caulk on the joints between metal body parts to keep the water out? ie. butt joints on the body openings for the doors, and the joints around the windshield area, etc...?
Thanks-
Dale

Fisher used some canvas type material to isolate steel brackets from wood frame, in particular in the upper parts of the car, such as windshield header, cowl cross member, rear roof bow, etc. I guess the thinking was the further the parts were from the chassis, the more movement was likely. Lower brackets at chassis level did not have any such product for my car. When replacing these parts on my '31 I used canvas and rubbed a bit of chassis grease into it to assist in creating a "slippery' surface. No squeaks or rattles so far.

The rest of the skin was nailed to the wood carcass without any specific sealant or anti-squeak.

As for joints between various body panels (your thought about using a caulking material), GM used nothing at the time except very good joint control and primer and paint. Not sure what model/year you are restoring?

There is a specific caulking that they use on automobiles called SEAM SEALER . Try your local automotive paint and body supplier for this product.

mike

The car is a 29 Sedan.
I bought some Electricians Cotton friction tape today. Going to give that a try.

Glad you are keeping your squeaks at bay.
Dale

Picked up some auto body seam sealer today. We'll see how that works.

When I start putting the wood back into my 35 chev std roadster I plan on using oil, water ,gas proof paper, is a black colour, like you make gaskets out of, comes in sheet form and various thicknesses.

The stock stuff was some kind of rubber type impregnated cloth as I remember it , from work on my 35 coupe. The roadster had zero remnants of any materials in the joints or mating surfaces.

mike lynch