Protective plate seals - what should I do?

[Robs72T]

I am pulling my gas tank and have removed my rusty protective plate (to get to the fuels line). So while I'm in there (ha, ha) thought I would clean up the plate and paint it.

The seals.... they are "ok" a few splits in them...... new ones seem to be NLA...... what should I do?


Seals:
1.) Should I remove them, paint, and reinstall them? (they seem to be crimped, and might tear if removed).

2.) Paint around them?

3.) Get an updated plate (that have no seals). Don't know if it will fit.

4.) Other ideas?

for 1972 Targa

[BlueSideUp]

My skid plate looks about the same and I'm going to try stripping it and then treating with POR15 this week. I can't remember if mine still has the seals on it or not. Most of the ones I've seen for sale are missing the seals.

[Robs72T]

Originally Posted by BlueSideUp

Most of the ones I've seen for sale are missing the seals.

I believe Porsche changed it in 1973 to have the plate without seals (it has an extra rim on each side)

[john walker's workshop]

later ones also attach differently, as in won't fit.

[joefrantz]

Originally Posted by Robs72T

I believe Porsche changed it in 1973 to have the plate without seals (it has an extra rim on each side)

My 73 still has the seals.

[Robs72T]

Originally Posted by joefrantz

My 73 still has the seals.

Parts catalog 1974 - 1977 shows the plate without seals and rims added.

[Jim Sims]

The edge seals incorporate a channel that has metal spring elements molded into it. The seals simply pull off, they then can be cleaned and restored with a rubber renewal compound of your choice. Then they push back onto the splash pan edges. My son's '73 was missing both the pan and seals; the used pan we purchased from Parts Heaven came with used edge seals which restored nicely; we also cleaned, stripped and repainted the splash pan.