Inner fender panel sealing

[Rreford]

Anyone have input or suggestions on the seal that runs along the outer edge of the inner fender support panel? I'm ready to reinstall my inner fender supports, whatever was present from the factory had turned to powder when I pulled them for the car restoration. Late '70 build date.

Edited November 17, 2023 by Rreford

[grannyknot]

I always use the closed cell foam strips for house window sealing, they have double stick tape on them but you can't rely on that, you still have to use automotive weather strip adhesive.

[Rreford]

Thank you for your reply! How thick a foam do you use? I have no idea what kind of clearance there should be with no foam present

[Route66]

Make sure not to use home center type weather seals in metal on metal situations. Those materials tend to hold water. 

[grannyknot]

8 hours ago, Route66 said:

Make sure not to use home center type weather seals in metal on metal situations. Those materials tend to hold water. 

 

Ooooo that's nasty.  Open cell foam will defiantly hold water but closed cell won't.  In your first photo showing the passenger side fender it looks like the original rubber seal is still in place.

For some reason on the assembly line, a blob of seam sealer was applied blocking the drain hole on top of the wheel well. Any water that does make it past the original rubber seal just sits there in a pool eating away the metal. It's a hard place for water to evaporate from.

The last pic I have chipped the old seam sealer out and cleared the drain hole.