Not sure whether this is a tech question or body. What do you guys use to seal around the brake resevoir tubes where they leave the underbonnet area and go through underneath to the master cylinder? The factory used some black putty type sealer but it has dried out a little and came away from the tubes when I replaced the blue hose connectors. The cable for the brake light switch passes between the two tubes and I don't want vibration to rub through the insulation.
Sides ·
I just used some black windscreen sealant on mine... cheap and simple, and stays flexible.
68AutoBug ·
hulbyw wrote:Not sure whether this is a tech question or body. What do you guys use to seal around the brake resevoir tubes where they leave the underbonnet area and go through underneath to the master cylinder? The factory used some black putty type sealer but it has dried out a little and came away from the tubes when I replaced the blue hose connectors. The cable for the brake light switch passes between the two tubes and I don't want vibration to rub through the insulation.
Hi
I used expanding foam in a pressure pack can...
I also used it to fill gaps in the body etc..
something like Blu tac could be used...
its very similar to the stuff used in early beetles..
and can be molded to fit around the cable with your fingers..
or even silastic... silicon...
put something around the brake wire to stop it wearing thru.
although using the above items will stop any movement...
cheers
LEE
matberry ·
x 2 on the blue tac. Sounds bodgy but as Lee said, it's like the early stuff used. There is self amalgamating tape that can be used available from a marine shop or good hardware.
Don't use silicone, it causes rust.
vw54 ·
u can used Silicon as long as its the Metal type used on roof gutters no corrosion then
Lee the expanding foam attacts water and holds it in causing RUST
hulbyw ·
Thanks guys. Yes I agree blu tac is similar however it dries out quite quickly in my experience. Non acetic silicone would do however reckon I will try Daves suggestion of the old style windscreen sealant unless someone comes up with a better alternative closer to the original (which I guess is unlikely as most sealants nowadays are new tech stuff)
68AutoBug ·
it used to be called Butyl Mastic..
dark grey stuff...
very messy...
not sure what VW used...
looks very similar to Blu tac...
but takes many years to go hard..
I don't see how polyeurthene foam can attract moisture..??
its not like the foamy stuff in Beetles... lol
LEE
donn ·
Lee, that expanding foam does cause corrosion, in the shed building industrie that I'm involved in we have been called to a number of sites with clients reporting premature corrosion of the wall and / or roof sheets, in every case to date it has been around the sheets where the client has put foam to seal the gaps. hulbyw is correct about the non acetic silicone, thats the one to use wherever you are sealing metal.
matberry ·
Guy's I do know of Neutral cure silicone, it's just better to keep that shit totally away from cars IMO. where that type of sealer is required, I recommend polurethane adhesives, there are many brands that all have different characteristics and therefore different applications....another subject altogether!!
hulbyw ·
I am confidant there is a Sikaflex polyurethane that would work a treat and outlast me however I would need to clean all the old black putty off first and after replacing the blue hose connectors up under the guard I am reluctant to pull them out again to clean the old sealer. Am hoping the butyl mastic will be compatible with the remaining putty. If not I will look at Sikaflex or similar. Lee, I agree it is very messy!
Years ago all my rally mates used to foam fill the sills and box sections on their rally cars for increased strenghth. Worked a treat for strength however when they had an off and had to try and straighen the foam filled sections and or weld them it was a nightmare.
matberry ·
I wasn't recommending polyeurethane for the job of the brake hoses, as I think it would be too good, ie difficult to remove if you had to, I'd still go the blue tac or preferebly a self amalgamating tape.
hulbyw ·
Agree, too good. However your suggestion of self amalgamating tape was spot on. Sticks to whats left of the old putty and looks factory (not that my beetle is original but it worked a treat).
Cheers...Wayne