sealing cage through-holes

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
I'd like to seal up these holes where the cage bar passes through.
Not too worried about cosmetics, just ensuring water doesn't rust the inner panels out (any more than already).

Whats a good approach? Was thinking something akin to expanding insulation foam, then trim off excess?
Is there something more rubbery or silicone based?
 
Whatever you use, it has to deal with relative motion, and most insulating foams for houses are going to break apart or fail in shear because they don't have enough elongation. Once the foam fails, it will either rattle or it will squeak, and then you will set the car on fire to free yourself from it.
There are some flexible foams for automotive use, but they're more for cavity stiffening and anti-vibration.

You could use an automotive seam sealer or a urethane adhesive sealant; there are a few types and I would likely choose one of the thicker ones that can be used on vertical surfaces (it won't try to leak everywhere before it cures). Some of the urethane stuff (3M, etc) can be bought in caulk tubes for sealing RV and trailer bodies during manufacturing.
You can use a mesh tape to bridge bigger gaps and support the seam sealer like a diaphragm, or you could make a temporary dam for the sealer or use a backer rod or whatever.

You need something elastic though that can deal with chassis flex. How big the gap is, and how much relative motion there is are the driving factors here.

You could maybe use the 2-piece aftermarket firewall grommets with the chrome flanges, but they won't be very waterproof, relatively speaking. More draft sealing and noise blocking, like on a firewall (obviously).

There are also some edge seals that can install onto panel edges, kind of like the firewall grommet but sold by-the-foot. Basically a type of weatherstripping.

Just tossing out some ideas.
 
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What about windshield urathane? The kind that installs with a caulk gun. I think I would allow some movement and still seal really well.
 
You don't want to use expanding foam, and if you do don't trim it for sure, if you trim it it'll soak in water like a sponge and actually cause rust, I've made that mistake before.

Firewall grommets like mentioned above are a good idea. Cutting up inner tubes and wrapping around may work too if the gaps are big. Seal it with a rubber vucanizing cement where it splits and seal it to the cage or body with an automotive seam sealer or windshield urethane. The inner tube will flex, urethane by itself won't. If it's a smaller gap I'd try just flexible seam sealer over window urethane, urethane isn't very flexible.
 
The problem is the size of the gap. Most squeeze-tube materials like windshield caulk, urethane etc won't cure well or hold in place with such a large glop.
Although I do winder if I put a rubber grommet around the hold, at least that will make it smaller and give a little more meat for a filler to attach to.
 
The problem is the size of the gap. Most squeeze-tube materials like windshield caulk, urethane etc won't cure well or hold in place with such a large glop.
Although I do winder if I put a rubber grommet around the hold, at least that will make it smaller and give a little more meat for a filler to attach to.

How big is the gap?
 
So im an udiot, thought id already posted a pic

20200523_003907.jpg

The space isnt even. probably 1/8th to 1/2 inch
 
I'd do something like this, and slit it and sew it back together after: Sea Dog Molded Rubber Motor Well Boot

You could seal under the edges/split if needed.

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