What are you guys and gals using for the tape that is sandwiched between the inner and outer front fenders along ridge where the two bolt together? It apparently was used along air deflector ridge and roll pan to fender. It appears that it was basically a two sided white tape.-Thanks

 

?? I don't know much about 52's, but are we talking some sort of anti squeek stuff, or fender welting?

 

Sorry, I'm referring to 53-56 trucks. It probably served as both anti-squeek and a seal. I striped what was left off my fenders and it still was slightly sticky. I've got other fenders from 55 and found reminants of same kind of tape.

 

You can buy the anti squeak webbing from several of vendors. I have seen some people use a very small bead of silicone calk. If the truck is not painted, the silicone scares me.

 

I think someone must have replaced the welting/anti-squeak with double-sided foam tape. It would be a lot easier to install than welting! The correct stuff is a woven product soaked in something like heavy paraffin.

 

My welting is not the right stuff. It is rubber, but someone used small pieces of double stick tape to hold it on the fender as they were installing it.

I guess it worked fine. I was able to remove it easily when I started the body work on the first fender.

They also caulked around all the holes for some reason.

 

Yes, fender welting is what goes there. It used to be IIRC a canvas fabric folded over a length of cord then laquered. Now a molded plastic or rubber strip is used (it can be had with a chrome cover). It is shaped like an elongated letter P. The bulge at the top sits outside the seam with the flat portion between. It served as a squeak eliminator, a gasket, and a trim for the seam. It's the right of passage for a builder of vehicles with separate fenders to install the fender welting cleanly and tightly. You'll probably ruin at least one piece practicing the installation techniques so buy extra. Most people cut pie wedges in the flange to allow the welting to follow the curves. Don't cut all the way to the bulge tho, stay back 1/8 - 1/4". The secret is figuring out how close together to make the cuts and how much to remove. Too far apart and it will kink at the cuts giving a faceted appearance, too close together and it will get to squirmy and tend to crawl out of the seam. Cut the bolt holes oversize so you have room to adjust the fit as you bolt up the fender. A sharpened piece of thinwalled tubing and the end grain of a wood block make a good punch and backer to punch holes in the welting. Try to avoid using a knife, and a drill doesn't work well on rubber.