Thread: alternative "weather stripping " to use for fender welting???

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Originally Posted by hottrodd57

I am just getting ready to paint my 39 coupe next week, I have never liked the original style fender welting used on the 30's & 40's era cars. but i realize it is nessisary so that the pieces don't rub or get dirt caught in the crack. I was thinking of getting some universial weatherstripping from softseal, vintique, ect.. with adhesvie backing as wide as possible & as thin as possible. to use as fender welting; that way there would be a "seal" between the fenders & body. The seal would be flush with the edge of the fender. giving it a cleaner look than the original style fender welting. Has anyone else done this? what brand & what was the size & type? would 3/8 wide by 3/16 thick work? I was thinking when the fender is tightened on, it woulds compress it down to the correct width & make a great seal?

Hey Hottrodd, I might be interested in the same thing when I put the fenders back on my 37 Ford. I just sent an email to the streetrod guy at Softseal asking what he recommends. Will let you know what I find out....

Randy

Saw a car years ago that the builder had used brushable seam sealer between the fender and body. It stayed slightly flexible and took paint well. Said he used his finger and a ragto smooth the joint. There was no visible joint. The car was around for several years and I never noticed any cracks in the joints.

Originally Posted by 61bone

Saw a car years ago that the builder had used brushable seam sealer between the fender and body. It stayed slightly flexible and took paint well. Said he used his finger and a ragto smooth the joint. There was no visible joint. The car was around for several years and I never noticed any cracks in the joints.

Hi Bone....I don't know for sure about Hottrodd57 but as for me, I'm not trying to hide the joint, I just don't want that welting bead in the crack. Just a clean well fitted joint between the body & fender is what I'm looking for while still having the cushioning, anti-squeak protection of something between, you know? The seam sealer is an interesting thought but would be a huge pain if the fender had to come off for some reason.

I am after the exact same thing as randyr, want all the benifits of having welting installed, but want a cleaner look!!!!

A bud of mine has used felt for many years, he hates the welt look too. He gets thick stuff from the yardage store, in the same color range, you can't see it at all. I don't have a close up shot sorry..

Originally Posted by 68RATVT

A bud of mine has used felt for many years, he hates the welt look too. He gets thick stuff from the yardage store, in the same color range, you can't see it at all. I don't have a close up shot sorry..

Wouldn't felt soak up and retain water? Maybe not since it's been used on window channels & stuff for years.....