Sail panel adhesive? (Page 1/1) CSM842M4 OCT 04, 09:47 PM Just bought the wife an '86 notch (her second Fiero on property, our third together...), and we're taking a few parts off her '84 to rectify some issues on the newer car. One of those parts is the left sail panel. While removing both panels, I noticed the use of a flowable sealant/adhesive to hold the panels in (much more generous use on the '86). But it doesn't look like cured urethane, silicone or weatherstrip adhesive to me. Does anybody know what was used for this purpose, or if an even better alternative has been devised? Seam sealer, maybe? I would like for this replacement to be lasting, but easy enough to remove later to swap in the FS panels or some new-manufacture units... Any/all input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance - Chris fierofool OCT 05, 08:47 AM The 84 sail panels were glass and the framework was cast around the glass. All later years had a plastic panel that sounds like what you're describing. The FieroSails replacement panels used a thin 3M double side acrylic tape to attach the panel into the main body. The old plastic pieces had to be removed. Though I have replaced several in the distant past, I don't remember how those old panels were attached to the base. You might try the acrylic body molding tape, using a strip along each edge, being sure to leave a few gaps at the bottom to allow water to escape. Trapped water can freeze and break or push the panels loose. As far as the whole panel assembly, they are held on by 2 clips at the rear diagonal edge and the main screw post at the bottom front, which requires removing the B pillar inner trim. It uses a 10mm stamped steel nut as a retainer. A bit of adhesive on a deepwell socket is advisable to prevent losing the nut to the nether regions of the side panel. I never found any adhesive behind the assembly to assist holding it to the body. Another difference you will find in the 84 and 86 panels are the two posts at the trailing edge. 84 and 85 have steel posts that push into J clips on the roof flange. Later years have large plastic posts with expander wings that push into the roof flange. CSM842M4 OCT 05, 10:36 AM Thanks, fierofool. Yes, the '84 panel frame was retained by the stud and nut at the B-pillar and the two push-nuts and clip-studs on the C-pillar edge. Very little, if any, adhesive was used, and if it was, it was only on the foam on the B-pillar end. On the '86, though, the B stud was only used as a locator, and there were no studs or pins on the C edge. The adhesive was all that retained the frame. I would not be at all surprised to find that both panels on the '86 were replaced by the owner prior to us, and although he/she did a good enough job to keep them from falling out, it was not textbook correct. My FLAPS/part-time employer carries a product that calls itself a panel adhesive, made by a company with a bunch of M's in its name. Might give that a try, unless someone has tried something that has proven itself... fierofool OCT 05, 12:12 PM They had no adhesive from the factory. Only the 2 pins and 1 threaded stud. All years had the threaded stud with stamped nut requiring the inside B pillar trim to be removed to access the retainer nut. I don't recommend bonding them to the body. CSM842M4 OCT 05, 01:56 PM Thanks again, fierofool. So, at least the panel on the '86 was done incorrectly, and probably with earlier parts. Great, since I don't have all the parts to reinstall all of the panels correctly on both cars, and we're planning to sell the '84. A new quest for hen's-teeth parts begins...