Has anyone used the 3M Automix epoxy or any similar products such as Sem, Weld Mount, Fabrico or Norton on aluminum pontoons?
These products seem to be very popular in the auto body repair business and I?ve watched several u-tube videos on them and the results are impressive. I?ve got a friend that has a larger size shop in that line of work and he says they use the 3M product regularly on body panels on large trucks and has fantastic results with it. This type of material requires an expensive applicator gun and the product itself runs $30.00 - $50.00 per package for just a few ounces. It comes in several types depending on brand such as thick and self leveling.
Using the product correctly and for the right application is always the key thing and most of the information I?ve seen says that it?s not to be used as a structural fastener and that some welding may be required.
Although I don?t weld for a living, I would rate myself as an above average steel welder (not aluminum) and like many welders I?ve always been skeptical about using epoxy in lieu of welding. However, it appears that there is a time and place for this type of product. I?m sure that any welder that has had to grind off some kind of epoxy to weld a pontoon may have a bad taste in their mouth about epoxy?s but I wonder how many times this type of product has failed when applied correctly?
I want to emphasize that I?m not asking about products that are bought at big-box hardware stores or auto parts stores such as JB weld etc.
Any Input based on experience or opinion??
These products seem to be very popular in the auto body repair business and I?ve watched several u-tube videos on them and the results are impressive. I?ve got a friend that has a larger size shop in that line of work and he says they use the 3M product regularly on body panels on large trucks and has fantastic results with it. This type of material requires an expensive applicator gun and the product itself runs $30.00 - $50.00 per package for just a few ounces. It comes in several types depending on brand such as thick and self leveling.
Using the product correctly and for the right application is always the key thing and most of the information I?ve seen says that it?s not to be used as a structural fastener and that some welding may be required.
Although I don?t weld for a living, I would rate myself as an above average steel welder (not aluminum) and like many welders I?ve always been skeptical about using epoxy in lieu of welding. However, it appears that there is a time and place for this type of product. I?m sure that any welder that has had to grind off some kind of epoxy to weld a pontoon may have a bad taste in their mouth about epoxy?s but I wonder how many times this type of product has failed when applied correctly?
I want to emphasize that I?m not asking about products that are bought at big-box hardware stores or auto parts stores such as JB weld etc.
Any Input based on experience or opinion??
