S Rocker Panel Trim Installation

[Joe Minor]

I just received new 'S' rocker panel trim (reproduction from Stoddards). My old rocker panel trim was not worth keeping and was discarded during restoration.

The new trim includes the rubber 'seal' strip that runs between the top of the trim and the body of the car, but their is no lower seal of any type. I hate to seal the top with the seal and then put the end caps on when the bottom has no seal. I also don't want to screw the trim in and have trim to body contact without something in between.

Is there some kind of a lower seal or rubber strip (it wouldn't be visible anyway) or is this suppose to be a metal to metal contact?

Thanks for the help. This is my second Porsche (first was 69 912 coupe) but this is the first one I'm really getting involved with beyond just driving and wiring an aftermarket radio. (NOTE: Since my priorities have changed over years my '72 will be keeping the factory radio).

Joe

[edmayo]

I'm afraid what you've got is what there is. No seal strip for bottom, metal to metal. I seem to remember that the original install might have had some "dum-dum" around each screw hole.
You might have a hard time getting that upper seal strip into the groove of the trim piece, I know I did. As is so often the case the repro stuff just isn't quite the same. The old OEM piece pops right in the channel, the repro stuff I eventually used a small end cutter and trimmed some of the barb edge away. Once its' in it's also wider than the original. IE. you'll see more of the rubber against the body.

[Joe Minor]

Thanks for the response. I'll try to find a sealer strip to put around the holes on the bottom to at least keep some separation between the metal and the lower screws. Is "dum dum" available anywhere in the US? All of the internet hits were from England. I'm sure there is a comparable US equivalent.

Also thanks for the heads up on the size of the trim seal. I'll take a look at that closely before I complete the install this weekend.

Thanks again.

[Longballa]

Bottom is metal to metal. Stoddard still sells the OEM Porsche brand. It's what I used and worked great. 3M strip caulk you could use on the bottom screws. I don't think it will make a big difference though.

[Zithlord]

There is no bottom strip of rubber because this would probable restrain water/moisture/dirt from getting down and out. The top is to prevent the same going in. I used thick tectyl in the holes to prevent rust, but first I used POR-15, then body color paint then the tectyl(rubbery when "dry")

John

[CurtEgerer]

This is what is on my 71 - little pieces of rubber.