Appreciation post: An old timer at the salvage yard changed how I see parts.

I was pulling a door for a 2015 Civic at the yard in Lancaster last Tuesday, and the guy next to me, who must have been doing this for 40 years, said 'You're looking for straight metal, but you should be hunting for good factory sealer.' He pointed out how the factory stuff on a clean panel from a dry state car will always beat aftermarket goop for keeping water out. I've been chasing leaks on quarter panels for years and never really thought about it that way. How many of you guys actually check the sealer condition before you pull a used part?

2 comments

2 Comments

linda_murphy19d ago

Oh man, that's SO true. I grabbed a trunk lid from a clean Arizona car last month and the factory sealer was like new rubber. It's a total game changer for keeping things dry.

joseph_murray819d ago

My buddy's Nevada truck still has perfect factory seals.