Deco trim question

[BrentF]

Here's a couple pics of the bumper deco trim on my '70 911T that I recently bought. Not sure what's going on here?

Here the deco trim on the rear drivers side stops short of the reflector. Not sure what's going on here? Why the gap? How do I fix this?



Here's a shot of the front section of the same deco trim. Is there supposed to be a split in the rubber? Thanks

[classic]

The rubber has shrunk.

If it's new, are both the rubber and alloy trim new? If so it's a manufacturing fault, as you can't slide the rubber any further around, due to the mounting screw that's in the end, as you probably know.

[Silverbullit]

Shrinkage!

It looks as though time has done it's deed, as the small, rubber base trim has also retreated in the front. Yes, the "split" is a joint, the tapered end has a metal retaining 'stud' integrated to prevent the front tapered end from doing what yours has done by the reflector.

[LSR911]

It looks like older shrunken rubber on the rear deco. There is a bonded seam on the front on both sides. If your rubber has split at the bonding it will need replacement.

[BrentF]

Thanks guys. Who knew rubber could shrink!

[kenikh]

The old plasticizer in the material volatilizes and evaporates over time, shrinking the rubber, kind of like a raisin compared to a grape. Newer polymers and plasticizers are more stable these days, so new material should last longer than original.