Help need with wheel well gap filler

[Buddy]

I'm considering using rubber from semi-truck mud flaps. Questions: 1) how to cut so that it looks nice? 2) how to permanent fasten to the vehicle - pop rivets or? Again, looks are important but so is durability. 3) If I don't use this material the other option is brush material which has been discussed elsewhere on ecomodder. Thanks much!

[Tango Charlie]

I've never worked with mudflap material, but I would imagine a utility knife with a fresh blade in it would do the job. You might have to score it several times to get through it. Use a metal yardstick as a straight edge to make a straight cut. For a curve, go slow and don't try to cut all the way through on the first pass. Don't forget to post pictures!

[Buddy]

Thanks much!

[TomO]

^^^ works best for cutting curves easily

I've used a fresh utility knife to cut curves in rubber (even thick rubber) and it's no where as easy as doing it with a rotary cutter!

[Buddy]

Wow - this looks great - thanks. Buddy

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by Buddy

I'm considering using rubber from semi-truck mud flaps. Questions: 1) how to cut so that it looks nice? 2) how to permanent fasten to the vehicle - pop rivets or? Again, looks are important but so is durability. 3) If I don't use this material the other option is brush material which has been discussed elsewhere on ecomodder. Thanks much!

You might look at some neoprene rubber (diving suit stuff) as an alternative...

[RobertSmalls]

Where can you buy rubber by the sheet?

[lunarhighway]

Where can you buy rubber by the sheet?

you may want to look at stores that sell flooring material, they might have some undersized leftovers of rubber, vinyl or linoleum flooring on discount (especially if they also install the flooring), the material might come with an unatractive patter, but a can of spray paint will render it black. the uglyer the print the cheaper it will be.

i've used linoleum for several small experiments and it takes and keeps paint very well, it's not very stiff, but it stands up quite well, afterall it's flooring so you'd expect it to be able to take some abbuse. friction like direct contact from a tire will grind it away, buy i've actually used it in close proximity with the radiator and that didn't do much.

i've tested a piece with a lighter, it would burn a hole trough it, but the stuff itself didn't really burst into flames or anything wich makes it relatively safe for use on car imho

it came to about 11€ for several sqare meters wich was quite cheap compared to anything else

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Where can you buy rubber by the sheet?

You can try online or eBay...a search in yer area might yield a better result.

[Buddy]

The neoprene sounds interesting, but 1) me thinks it might be pricey, and 2) it might have more "give" than I need for the purpose. But all ideas are most welcome. Thanks! Buddy