Caulked the Fender Gaps

[Vrrooom]

I really like the caulk idea more than the foam strip. I only have 2 concerns of it- 1 is my ability to get it to look as nice as yours (my bathroom caulking looks like a 2 year old did it), and 2 would be what happens if I do damage a fender and need to replace it. Would the caulking end up becoming a huge PITA?

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[Garemlin]

The past couple nights I caulked the large gap between the fender and body. Here’s before:

I quite simply used a couple small picks to lightly pry the fender away so the rocks fell into the wheel well (and I thought I heard them fall to the floor).

One night I caulked a small bead and smoothed with my pinky. The next night I did the same and built up the previous bead. I didn’t tape it as I didn’t care about perfection, but it looks great IMO and NO MORE DANG ROCKS!

AFTER:

I didn’t realize how deep the front fenders were so I have a caulking tube extension on order and will do the same to the fronts.

I’ve used the same GE Advanced Silicone Caulk on my Yukon with great results as well…

And @Chocolate Thunder was skeptical of this and wanted some pics, so here you are!

Man what a nice smooth and even bead. Nice job!!!

I could never get it to look like that. Years ago I cracked open a set of headlights to paint the housings black. When I resealed them with silicone rtv they looked like total crap. Good thing it was hidden under the hood.

 

[JasonInDLH]

I really like the caulk idea more than the foam strip. I only have 2 concerns of it- 1 is my ability to get it to look as nice as yours (my bathroom caulking looks like a 2 year old did it), and 2 would be what happens if I do damage a fender and need to replace it. Would the caulking end up becoming a huge PITA?

I definitely like how the caulk turned out and am glad I did it. You could always tape along the bead prior to application. I cut a smaller than normal piece off the caulk nozzle and I always pull towards me in a continuous and steady motion. My pinky finger barely fit in the groove (I really had to jam it in), so you might want to employ a child to smooth it out if you have large fingers.

It should be pretty easy If you ever need to replace or remove the fender. I thought about this as well and my thoughts are that removing the fender normally should break the bead easily. Reinstalling the same style fender should be a breeze and then simply reapply new caulk. With an aftermarket one, you may have to spend some time removing the left over caulk.

 

[JasonInDLH]

Man what a nice smooth and even bead. Nice job!!!

I could never get it to look like that. Years ago I cracked open a set of headlights to paint the housings black. When I resealed them with silicone rtv they looked like total crap. Good thing it was hidden under the hood.

Thanks! When I stand next to the Jeep I don’t even really take note of the caulk since it’s kind of hidden inside the groove.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

I used the foam tubing but found after six months that it wouldn’t stay put…I am guessing it shrinks with time. A few well placed dabs of silicon caulk would fix but I’ve not done any follow up.

 

[JasonInDLH]

Silicone caulking is hard to touch up because it does not stick to it's self. There is a removable caulk... https://www.acehardware.com/departm...WrHW_y9UjxXto3fAQZKHivl8sYK-aF5BoC7fQQAvD_BwE

That seems like the perfect candidate here. I prefer black, but clear would do as well. Great suggestion!

 

[Dave928]

you could also do both. install the tubing to take up the space then you'll use less caulk over it.

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