Brian Cirulnick wrote:

> While doing some minor body work on my 85GL over the weekend, I spotted cracks
> in the seams where the body panels meet. I first noticed the drivers side
> large panel (opposite the sliding door) -- the rear part where there's the
> seam, which I guess acts as a rain channel, has a crack running from 5 inches
> below the window line to about 1 foot down from there.
>
> There's a smaller, but similar crack in the seam for the panel that's part of
> the rear storage/engine bay area.
>
> So, here are the stupid questions:
>
> Is this normal/easily repairable? Can I ignore it and just get some spraypaint
> and paint into the crack to prevent rust?
>
> or
>
> Do I have to get my panels re-welded in some way so that it doesn't get worse,
> and I end up with a vehicle that drops pieces off on the road when I hit a
> bump?
>
> Has anybody else ever seen or had cracks in the body seams?
>
> TTYL
> Brian Cirulnick
> techrat@vm.com
>
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>
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Brian,
I have had the same problem. On my '80 (bought new, sold 2 yr. ago, still running
great on org unopened engine with ~185,000 mi.) the same seems had developed
small cracks. When I painted it with Dupont Centuari I did not seal those cracks.
Big mistake. Two or three later rust started because the new paint trapped water
in the old cracks. The next time I gouged out the cracked seam sealer and
replaced it with 3M' s Seam Sealer. Don't remember the product number...sorry.
Just go to a Automotive Paint Store and explain your mission. The 3M Seam Sealer
is paintable or it can be applied to painted surfaces. Also, if rust has started
(even if you can't see it, it probably has) apply Ospho, sparingly, to the
cracked area. Both products come with good directions. Rust..... don't let those
cracks go!!
WR/   Deaner