Filling space between fenders and body

[IronScott]

I tried the tubing and wasn’t really happy with it. Felt like I was putting too much force on the fender to get the tubing in. Second drive down the interstate one of the pieces came loose and was slapping the front door/fender area. I may try it again but it wasn’t a great solution for me. It’s one of those YMMV things, IMO.

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[GRAK]

Got anything made of plastic or at least coated in something soft? I’d hate to gouge the paint myself while removing rocks so that rocks don’t gouge the paint.

Those little cans of plastidip or whatever are pretty handy at times like this

 

[mwilk012]

Those little cans of plastidip or whatever are pretty handy at times like this

That is genius. Thanks.

 

[Arterius2]

That is genius. Thanks.

I buy what they call non-marring tweezers from amazon, or as someone has already mentioned, toothpicks.

 

[mwilk012]

I buy what they call non-marring tweezers from amazon, or as someone has already mentioned, toothpicks.

I need something long, I’ve got one stuck way down in the deep part of the front fender.

 

[Arterius2]

I need something long, I’ve got one stuck way down in the deep part of the front fender.

Me too, I got reflective tape coming off the labels on my roof rack from a car wash that some how was shoved deep into the fender gap that I have not managed to get out yet...

 

[Ravager]

I tried the tubing and wasn’t really happy with it. Felt like I was putting too much force on the fender to get the tubing in. Second drive down the interstate one of the pieces came loose and was slapping the front door/fender area. I may try it again but it wasn’t a great solution for me. It’s one of those YMMV things, IMO.

What's are the rest of you seeing for longevity with the tubing? Highway drivers, particularly.

 

[Fire Burns]

Old credit card or something like it works. A friend uses bamboo skewers. They are like stronger, longer, toothpicks.

I used bamboo skewers as well. Easy, cheap, and effective mod!

 

[Fire Burns]

What's are the rest of you seeing for longevity with the tubing? Highway drivers, particularly.

No issue here thus far. 3 months in and it still looks brand new. Would be worth it even if it deteriorated after a year. Would simply replace. Mine have been solid. No flapping around, which is an indicator of installation error rather than product error. No offense...

EDIT - 26 November 2019:
Now a year in and the tubing did begin to deteriorate a bit and really sink too far into the gaps to be fully effective. I'm still a big proponent for this type of mod, but see a few posts down and I've replaced this tubing with different but similar material that I feel works much better. Keep reading below for details!

 

[Krondor]

I've had mine for over 6000 miles and no issues. Much easier to keep rocks out. Great idea.

If I win those Metalcloak front fenders, this will no longer be an issue however.

 

[ViperJon]

Get a trim and molding removal kit from Harbor Freight or Home Depot. Plastic tools with different angles and sizes has many useful applications on autos. Def would NOT use metal picks.

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-auto-trim-and-molding-tool-set-67021.html

 

[Fire Burns]

OK, a year in and I am no longer satisfied with this mod.

Basically the issue is that especially in the rear, the fender gap eventually "ate" the tubing material, whereby it worked itself so far down in the crevice that it was no longer doing its job effectively. Here are pics illustrating that:

As you can see (or not see), the welting is barely visible in the rear.

Anyway, I set out to look for another solution and found it in .38in SOLID core tubing seal.
https://www.amazon.com/Trim-Lok-Rubber-Tubing-Seal-Diameter-206/dp/B00NL4D6SK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2A2WP5XMY36CX&keywords=trim-lok+rubber+tubing+seal+.276+outside+diameter&qid=1574794598&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sprefix=trim-lok+rubber+tub,aps,184&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyOE5XUzZSTzUyMVQwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDcxNTM3M1BZMVUwWUswOEFGTyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTgxOTMzMVNRVkFPVTNHVzNWRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

What I like about this was #1, it is a little thicker, thus protecting from larger size debris getting caught in the gap. Secondly, the solid core means it deforms far less and will stay put. In other words, it will be impossible for the rear fender gap to "eat it" to the point that it no longer works. On top of all that, I really like the look, but that of course is personal opinion. It just looks beefy and cool to me. As an added bonus, 25 feet of the stuff (enough for all fenders with some left over) is a little over $4 bucks cheaper than the smaller, but more well known hollow stuff.

Anyway, here are the results:

 

[Wabujitsu]

Disclaimer: this post has no intellectual value.

I fill my gaps up with dirt and debris, then pressure-wash it out.

 

[Spdu4ia]

Just boosting this back up for others. I returned my tubing after trying to get it to sit in the gap and it getting sucked in immediately and ordered this solid core cord and it works MUCH better. thanks for the link !

 

[Fire Burns]

Yep, the hollow core stuff will eventually get drawn down so far into the gap that it becomes ineffective. I've heard of some using the .25 solid core, but even though it won't compress like the .27 hollow stuff, at .25, its really too small of a diameter to provide much useful protection. I'm on the .38 solid core since November 2019 now and I'm still very pleased with the results and quality of the material. It has not so much as cracked or discolored in all this time!

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