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Adding 3M's strip caulking to fender edge before assembly

cmayna

cmayna

DILLIGARA?
Donator
Is it highly suggested to add 3M's strip caulking to the underside engine bay edge of each fender right prior to attaching to the car? I did not do this to Red but noticed that garner67 did to his car back when we did the front clip assembly at his place.

Is this more of a headache than being worth it? If applying it, I assume you stick it on the bottom side of the lip with just a tad sticking out towards the engine bay so when you attach the fender the strip caulk will gush outward just a tad?
 
You can either apply it to the underside of the fender or to the apron.

It looks tacky leaving globs of it showing, however.
 
I used Bedding and Glazing Compound (the stuff you use for windshields, watershields, etc.) on mine. It's much softer and allows the fender to lay down tighter to the apron without distorting around the bolts.

Yes, it will ooze out some, but it cleans up easily with mineral spirits for a super-clean install.

The purpose as I see it is to keep water from the wheelwell out from between the fender and apron. Water that gets into that joint will sit and rust. So, it's more important to apply sealer to the outside edge of the apron than the inside edge of the fender. I laid a thin bead along the very outside edge of the apron, and looped it around each of the openings for the J-clips. Most will ooze out to the wheel side, and not so much to the engine side.

As far as I'm concerned, about the only place strip caulk is suitable is gas tank mounting.
 
I used the foam tape similar (wider) to the tape used for the side window weatherstrip channel.
Not messy at all and the little bit it will see rain or bad weather it should work pretty good.
 
Thanks guys. Yes I agree that what ever I use should go on the outside edge of the apron vs the inside edge of the fender.
 
I'm glad you brought this subject up! I'm not terribly far from installing my fenders and was pondering this same question!
thank you thank you!!
dne'
 
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