reinstalling front fenders

[oldtarga73]

Hi all,
I'm currently in the process of reinstalling the front fenders on my '73 targa and have a question on where the sealer goes. (I have terostat ribbon from Pelican)

I understand it goes on both areas where the fender actually bolts up to the car(against the hood and the doors), but there's a small section between the two, and I don't know if that stays un-sealed or not.

both sides had mild surface rust there so I feel they weren't 100% sealed to start with.

if it does get sealed fully, what should I use in that area?
I've attached a photo with that area circled in yellow.

thanks for your help,
David.

[sixbanger]

Is that rust in that area?I can't tell.

[962porsche]

most of the time no sealer really goes in that area .
the strip caulk that goes between the fender and the apron run up to it but not really past it .
you have to remember the cars were hand built so they all a little different some sealer will go right to that spot and some time just a hair past it .

[jrsully]

Unrelated, but a fender question. Were the fender attaching bolts painted over (body color) after they were attached to the car or were the fenders/tub area painted then attached (leaving the cad plated bolts exposed).? Any help appreciate as my car was repainted and apart. Trying to get "correct assembly" look

[78-911SC]

962 just to clarify are you saying the sealer goes to the center point of the yellow circle or the corner of the hood but no further.

[oldtarga73]

Thanks 962. That appeared to be how it was when I pulled it apart. - but I wasn't sure.
The factory undercoating seemed to plug access to that gap, but wasn't really in the gap..

I think the underseal when sprayed up under the fenders finished the sealing job.

There was some minor surface rust there. I've killed it on both the car and fender and made sure there's a good coat of paint on there.

David.

[962porsche]

Originally Posted by oldtarga73

Thanks 962. That appeared to be how it was when I pulled it apart. - but I wasn't sure.
The factory undercoating seemed to plug access to that gap, but wasn't really in the gap..

I think the underseal when sprayed up under the fenders finished the sealing job.

There was some minor surface rust there. I've killed it on both the car and fender and made sure there's a good coat of paint on there.

David.

Dave yes the under body coating will kind of fill in any gaps .

[962porsche]

Originally Posted by 78-911SC

962 just to clarify are you saying the sealer goes to the center point of the yellow circle or the corner of the hood but no further.

pretty much to the center of the yellow circle .
again the cars were hand built so no two are really the same . you will also find many times they are not the same from right to left sides .
you will find some time it's a little past the center and other times it's just short of it .

[78-911SC]

Sorry to revisit the reinstalling of the fenders again. I have had my fenders on and off a number of times and I have everything pretty much done. My question now is how much space should I add for the strip caulk between the fenders. How much does that stuff compress? Is that width anything to worry about? My fenders are now perfect in primer when you lay a straight edge across the door and fender. I'm afraid that the strip caulk will move the fender out 3 or 4mm. Should I have concern?