Rubbery stuff way up under rear wheel well . . . remove it, or not?

[lespaul]

Third and last question of the day. While I am poking around the rear wheel well to try to take off the oil tank, I notice that way up at the top of the rear wheel well there is some rubbery, silicone like stuff in the narrow space at the very top, running along the seam.

1. Is this factory stuff or did the PO put it there?

2. If I want to POR the inside of the rear wheel well, should I remove the rubbery stuff or work around it? Is there danger that water has gotten up there in the past and is against the metal?

3. If I need to take the rubbery stuff off, what is the best technique -- cut it? or use a solvent? or both? or something else?

Thanks for any good advice.

[vizail]

lespaul

Is the same thing I ask in my post

Vic