Foam pads under the Cowl???

[truenorthstrong&Zee]

HI,

Please excuse my question if it has already been addressed. I have searched the forum but have not found any information. I am in the process of cleaning up some rust under the Cowl of my '77. The foam attached to the underside of the cowl are in reasonable shape but there is rust under them. If I remove the pads to get at the rust I will need to replace them. Where can I buy replacements? Can I use something similar that is readily available? Thanks!

[Rich1]

I think this has been addressed in a forum before. If I recall correctly--someone suggested replacing it with pieces of neoprene (wetsuit-like material). The foam should be removed, as it just holds water and contributes to the rust problem.

[EScanlon]

The foam is there to eliminate the rattling from sheet metal contact between the cowl and the body below.

Removing it will only guarantee that you'll introduce an awful tin can rattle to your car.

I've also heard that even neoprene material will eventually absorb water, and while this may be correct, you're (hopefully) not submersing your vehicle to several fathoms of water pressure.

Just make sure it is a CLOSED CELL foam, or a RUBBER pad. (Although rubber may be too stiff.) Closed Cell Foam will take the LONGEST time to absorb any water (hopefully never).

FWIW

E

[ZCurves]

I used this closed-cell material that I purchased from Lowes. Basically it is the material that you would put under a exterior door threshold in your house. It comes in a 6" X 20" roll, glues real well and is cheap. If you do not have a Lowes near you, I am pretty sure you can find it at any home improvement store.

[Threehz]

ZCurves if you are talking about generic weather stripping then yes it is available at most all home improvement stores and there is usually a variety of thicknesses, and material from rubber to thicker or lighter foams and some have an adhesive side already. With those you can just pull the adhesive cover off and stick it right on to whatever you like, I like these because the adhesive will stick very well, however it is also easily removable if you need to replace it or change something.

2cents.

[5thhorsemann]

I put a big glob of silicon adhesive on the underside of the cowl and covered it with seran wrap and installed the cowl while it was wet, let it dry a day or so, removed the cowl and trimmed the plastic wrap. Perfect fit, no water issues will ever occour with this "fix".

[pwd]

If you use a good Epoxy Primer on the bare metal, such as PPG DP-40, you'll never have a problem with rust, ever, unless it gets a scratch, which is unlikely under the cowl.

I agree with using Closed Cell Neoprene Foam as the best material. I've used that on another project and appreciate its characteristics. Local foam companies are the best places to buy it, however you can also find it at McMaster-Carr, and in all shapes and sizes on eBay too.

[EScanlon]

If you use a good Epoxy Primer on the bare metal, such as PPG DP-40, you'll never have a problem with rust, ever, unless it gets a scratch, which is unlikely under the cowl....snip...

NOPE, this is false.

Epoxy primer is NOT WATERPROOF.

As such, it will eventually allow moisture to get to the metal, regardless of any chafing or scratching. In the case of actual moisture (rain) getting on it, it will eventually hold it (it loses it's surface "sheen").

And I'm referring specifically to the PPG DP-40 as that is what I used when I did the refresh/repaint on a 76 Mercury Capri II. I eventually had to D/A the panels back down to the metal AGAIN because of the rust beginning to bleed through the primer.

If you want to make the primer truly impervious to humidity... you paint it.

E

[pwd]

Sorry, I meant of course that you paint it after you give it a good Epoxy base. No way do you ever depend on primer alone.

[truenorthstrong&Zee]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I willl do some legwork and see what I can find. I'm gravitating towards an adhesive weather stripping material. Thanks again.

[240260280z]

I just used the closed cell 8.5" X 11" foam sheets that you can buy in dollar stores.