[11LE]

While getting exhaust work done, the guy's saw hit the underside of my car and left a hole where the orange silicone is in this picture:

(Left Side)

A close up:

Should I JB Weld it, or is that silicone good enough? The hole is as big as about the size of two or three grains of rice.

 

[Cking]

just patch it up and be on your way lol

JB weld..epoxy resin w/ some fiberglass is all good..

 

[Dana_15]

^^^Agreed, at least the guy was man enough to let you know!

 

[Zembonez]

The silicone is plenty of fix. All you need is something to keep water out.

 

[gator1939]

IMHO silicone will eventually wear off with all of the road splatter that will hit it. I would go with JB Weld and make sure that a tad goes through the hole to form a key on the inside of the panel.

gator1939

 

[bippu_camry]

damn what was he using a 2ft blade or something but at least he didnt hit any cables or lines

 

[troidus]

The exhaust shop should be sending that out to a body shop for a proper repair on their dime. That hole needs to be knocked flat, welded shut, sanded smooth, and given a metal prep and refinish inside and out per Toyota specs. If you cheap out, it'll rust. Better to do it now before rust gets a toehold, especially if the other side of the hole isn't accessible.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I agree with troidus... The silicone and/or JB Weld is feasible, but if it wasn't your fault at all, they should be repairing it. It's not going to cost them a lot to fix it anyway...

 

[TedL]

A hole on a 2011? As said above, I want that fixed by a quality body shop per Toyota Body Repair manual specs.

A 1999? Silicone and some discount on the exhaust work being done would do.

 

[11LE]

I had to point it out to him.. is there a DIY that I can just remedy this issue with? I don't want to have my car rusting from the inside out, but I also do not feel the need to go and dispute this with my exhaust shop which is going month to month. These guys seem like they'd get nasty.

Put generous amounts of JB Weld through the hole and its surrounding, will that work?

 

[Zembonez]

Well... a bit of seam sealer (like is all over under the car now) would surely solve the issue. It's not like the guy sliced a two foot long gash in the FLOOR of the car.

 

[TedL]

If you're the kind to keep your cars "forever", I'd have a proper fix by a body shop. If you trade or lease every few years, some seam sealer should do. It may also be a "proper" repair...I'm no body repair person, but I'd talk to a pro.

 

[Zembonez]

Actual seam sealer is some badass stuff.

I certainly agree that this should not have happened... (but Brobama should also not be our president). Unfortunately this sort of thing can and does happen.

I believe in doing as "non invasive" of a repair as possible. Grinding, welding, refinishing the tiny spot will never be as good as not destroying the factory E-coat corrosion protection. Adding seam sealer will cover the spot permanently without disrupting ANY of the corrosion protection.

 

[11LE]

Alright, then it's settled on the seam sealer! Do I apply this just over the hole or also get some into the hole? I don't want it to rust on the inside and me not knowing about it..

I can get this stuff from autozone, right?

 

[Zembonez]

I'd stop by a professional body shop supplier. Remove the silicone that is there now and apply the seam sealer in about a 2 inch circle - work it into the hole and smooth the patch out with a razor blade or similar flat tool. Seam sealer is ferocious stuff. Use rubber gloves or you'll wear this stuff for a week.

It really does a good job of sealing and lasts the life of a car.

 

[gdanaher]

3-M and PermaSeal both make suitable products. The package might not say Seam Sealer. I think you are looking for the thick rubberized black material that will squeeze into the hole, fill a little inside to get a good grip, and then cover a square inch on the outside. Should dry to a near hard yet flexible composition.