Hey honda-tech, so the factory seem sealer around my integra's rear tail lights has begun to crack, leading to a water leak into my hatch area.

There are two areas that need repair: 1) Exterior seam seal behind the driver-side tail light and 2) Interior seam seal where water is actually entering the inside of my car.

I am simply wondering how to go about doing this repair. Do I grind down the old seam seals, do I use primer, do I paint? Or is it okay to simply scuff up the factory seam sealer with sand paper and then add a new layer of seam sealer over the top without using any sort of primer and paint?

Any and all recommendations are appreciated in regards to how to accomplish the repair and/or preferences to what type of product I should use.

Thanks!

The exterior area needing repair:







The interior area needing repair:

 

I wouldnt "grind" it down, use a rol lock brown (80 grit) and take it down to bare metal and than re apply in eather a cocking gun or in a can. There are companys like fuser that make oem quality stuff but there are others like eastwould that I havent tried yet. I would just spot prime and spot shoot some color.

 

Thanks for the info! Any preferences on the type/brand of primer and color?

 

eastwood makes great products! 3m seam sealer is what ive personally used. If this was my car I would.:
1) Use a wire wheel on a drill or die grinder and only try and take off the OEM cracked seam sealer and very minimal base coat.

2) grease and wax remove all the sanding residues.

3) spray some adhesion promoter over the scuffed seam.

4) lay a bead of seam sealer over the seam and with a nitrile glove dip your finger in some acetone so the glove doesn't stick feather the seal bead so it looks less obvious you have made a repair.

5) Grab an aerosol can of duplicolor factory matched to your paint code from (o'reallys/Kragen/Napa)

6) Spray the repaired area to match your paint being very careful to mask and tape everything well to avoid overspray!

hope this helps man you can add steps as you see appropriate this should get you started good luck and clean teg man!