looking for gap filling materials

[hendgeofdeath]

I'm looking for a material to fill in the gaps between the hood, grill, headlights, and any other panel. The gaps range from 1/4" to about 1". The material needs to expand and contract, be at least semi-permanent to withstand the elements, and easy to remove if necessary. I would like to keep the stock look so the material needs to be black or be easily colored black.

I was considering some foam rubber weather stripping with a mild adhesive strip would do the trick, or I don't know if there is something like that made for automotive purposes.

I realize this sounds like I want my cake and be able to eat it too, but I love cake!

I appreciate any comments/ suggestions.

[kach22i]

I bought some stuff like that at my local NAPA retailer last year (no other parts store carried it). Much denser and better quality than weatherstripping from home improvement stores. And not as expensive as I had imagined. However, I had a choice of only two sizes, but this would be idea to get started until you figure out what works best for you.

You could maybe order some stuff on-line (Summit Racing or JC Whitney), but nothing like getting a real piece in your hand locally.

[Tango Charlie]

RTV silicone sealant, maybe? I've been wondering if this would work; wrap the edge of the hood with Saran Wrap, and wet it down with some WD-40. Then run a bead of RTV along the inside of the opening. Close the hood, smooth out the bead and let it cure. Then open the hood and remove the Saran Wrap.
I haven't tried it, just a thought in my head at this point.

I think Basjoos used caulking on the Aerocivic, cut with a razor blade after it cured.

[Diesel_Dave]

I used a chunk of black pipe insulation to seal between my hood and bumper (~1"). It comes in different sizes and is really cheap (~$1 for an 8 ft piece). It comes in different sizes, but I dont know if you can something small enought to do the 1/4" gaps.

[ecomodded]

I second Diesel Dave's suggestion with the pipe insulating foam.You could cut the insulating pipe length ways using a improvised guide to cut straight and get the width you want.

[aerohead]

At hardware stores and home improvement stores,in the weatherstrip section,you'll find foam rubber rope which is designed to go into large cracks as a backer for caulk,made of material, quite like pipe insulation.It comes in a roll in a couple different diameters,is that same dark gray color and you may be able to just push it into the gaps.

[hendgeofdeath]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I bought some stuff like that at my local NAPA retailer last year (no other parts store carried it). Much denser and better quality than weatherstripping from home improvement stores. And not as expensive as I had imagined. However, I had a choice of only two sizes, but this would be idea to get started until you figure out what works best for you.

You could maybe order some stuff on-line (Summit Racing or JC Whitney), but nothing like getting a real piece in your hand locally.

I think I will look into NAPA for this stuff. I didn't realize there was one near me. (I live in ypsilanti) didn't find one close to me on Google search. where is it at?

[Cd]

Originally Posted by Tango Charlie

RTV silicone sealant, maybe?

I think Basjoos used caulking on the Aerocivic, cut with a razor blade after it cured.

Caulking actually comes in black. It comes in clear as well, but looks non factory if you seal gaps using the clear ( ends up looking like mucous )

As you apply it you can use a wet rag to smooth it down.
This takes mere seconds to do and makes the mod look factory.
Using a razor after the caulking has cured is about a hundred times more difficult than using a wet rag and results in rough edges and possibly sliced fingers and scratched paint.

If you leave the caulking oozing out of the gaps, you not only make the car look bad, but you cancel out any benefits you get from sealing the gaps in the first place.

Just my opinion, buy I think the main thing that makes the AeroCivic look rough around the edges is the unsmoothed caulking.

Cmon Basjoos you know it would make the car look SO much better !

[Regenerit]

Originally Posted by Cd

If you leave the caulking oozing out of the gaps, you not only make the car look bad, but you cancel out any benefits you get from sealing the gaps in the first place.

Cmon Basjoos you know it would make the car look SO much better !

I think Basjoos after realizing his car was going to look ugly no matter what and maybe in a rush to finish decided that making every little detail perfect would take up too much time and so threw beauty into the wind and got his car done quick. Let's not forget his aerocivic has been fully modded for the most part for nearly 4 years now.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by hendgeofdeath

I think I will look into NAPA for this stuff. I didn't realize there was one near me. (I live in ypsilanti) didn't find one close to me on Google search. where is it at?

NAPA is on "Industrial" in Ann Arbor, between Stadium and Eisenhower.

Pretty good place, they had the front drop links for my S-10 in stock and even told me how to install them.