The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Firewall Patches

I seem to recall someone posting information about a material that could be used to patch holes in the firewall rather than welding in steel patches.

I tried to search but without a clear memory of what it was call I was not successful.

Any chance someone ca nheld direct me to the material or the source of the information?

WICruiser,

Check out this thread: https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1333670/re-panel-bond.html

Believe "Panel Bond" is what you are hunting for. "coilover" provided great response and some links for reference.

Gdads51, thanks but I don't think it was "Panel Bond", although it may be similar. My impression is that the material I am looking for only has adhesive on one side and is specifically intended for areas like the firewall that can get pretty warm due to proximity to the engine.

So you just want to put a sticker over the hole rather than permanently fill it? Panel Bond is the permanent fix - think of better quality Bondo.

HushMat and DynaMat are self adhesive products that could be used to cover small holes.

WICruiser,

The size and shape of the hole (s) you are wanting to fill/patch, as well as the desired finish, will probably be the driving factor on method or material used. Most hardware stores carry round metal spring clip caps to press/snap into various round hole sizes. An alternative could be something like JB Weld Paste (ExtremeHeat). The list goes on. Others may chime in on what they found that works.

Maybe pictures of the nefarious holes would help???

I would say just plain JB Weld. Supposed to be good up to 500F, if I recall. Haven't used extreme heat version, but I did make a bead of conventional JB around my muffler/exhaust pipe junction, and it's prevented any of the sooty blowby that alerted me to seepage a year ago. Still solid and tight. Have seen it used by fairly reputable body shops, as long as no flexing is anticipated, such as a firewall. Much cheaper than panel bond!

Search “ko plugs”, used often on the race cars, they are for closing unused electrical box knock outs, come in sizes 1/2” to 4” at least, some snap in others have center screw and crossbar, cheap & effective, professional look, removable. Caulk in if you want waterproof.

Thanks everyone for your input. I will be considering an all of the above approach as I move forward.

You have had many good suggestions. the aircraft industry uses Dollar/Dime patches. apiece of material larger than the hole is put on the back side of the hole and a piece of metal cut to fit in the hole. I have used this very successfully on the firewall of my Model A using JB Weld I held them patches in place with Clecos. Once the JB Weld has set up remove the Clecos and fill the holes with JB Weld. Works great.