Okay so I've started wet sanding and buffing my front fenders for my merc. Need to install the front fender stainless and light which should be no problem.
It's the rubber seal between the fender and the cowl that I'm not real sure of. There was nothing left of the rubber when I got the truck. Some old rusty staples and a screw with a washer were all that was there.
Any words of experience/wisdom before I fumble my way through this job ?
Thanks, Greg M-47

 

You can glue the rubber seal to the fender before installation of the fender. The originals were stapled.

 

If you prefer to stay original and have the staple look, you can use small pieces of tiny mechanics wire to 'recreate' staples and attach the rubber that way. It's a real pita to do it that way, but looks great when done. Taking the less labor-intense way out, pop rivets or small screws will do the job as well.

 

Here is mine on fiberglass fenders. I glued it in. This picture was taken before the fender was tightened up.

 

Thank you all for your replies. I'm thinking of gluing the rubber in to place and maybe putting the single screw with washer back into the hole it came out of.
Think I'll install the rubber starting at the bottom of the fender after the filler piece and work my way to the top and trim as needed. Sounds simple enough.
I'm back to the shop thursday so more sanding and buffing in my future.
Thanks again, Greg M-47

 

I forgot and posted an old pic when I actually cut the rubber too short. It needs to go all the way down to the running board, I had to redo mine.

 

The rubber goes right to the running board ? Good to know. Thanks again.
Greg M-47

 

I believe it goes down behind the running boards; there was a thread about this about 6 months ago, but I can't find it (I believe it was in one of Topmoo's threads). I ran the rubber all the way to the bottom edge of the fender, others have cut it off at the filler piece that is at the front of the running boards.

 

Thanks for your input, Ross. I'm going to search through my teardown notes to see if I found any remnants of rubber at the filler piece. I'm pretty sure there wasn't any rubber left anywhere but I'll check.
I just had breakfast and I'm off to the shop. Thanks again all. Almost forgot, what about at the top of the fender? Anything special here as far as attaching the rubber?
Greg M-47

 

Ok this is helpful. Just got body panels back and starting assembly. So if I understand this I run the rubber to bottom of fender then attach filler panel. Also what is the glue folks are using to do this.
while I’m at it for the rear fender to bedside welting is gluing it to fender a good way to go for instal.
also have folks put any type of welting between running boards and where they bolt to fenders.