Author Topic: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps  (Read 7365 times)

srode

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Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« on: September 03, 2011, 06:58:31 PM »
Done wrestling with this for the day and looking for suggestions to fasten the inner fender splash flaps.  There has to be a better way than fighting the staples that came with the soffseal kit.   I was thinking of getting some .041 stainless safety wire instead of trying to get these staples through the existing holes in the inner fender and getting them flattened decently, thinking the safety wire would be more maleable.   I haven't even started trying to get them to go through the flaps.  Any suggestions on how to do fasten these correctly?  The car is together and painted, don't want to scratch up the inner fenders putting them on. 
Steve - 02D Z11 and a Plain Jane hardtop

tmodel66

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2011, 07:50:48 PM »
First thing to do is throw the staples away. I used a stainless tig welding rod/wire. It's just a tad bit bigger (not enough to tell with the naked eye) than the original wire I took out. One rod is about 3 1/2 feet long and cost me zilch from my friendly welder supply. It's easy to bend the tight corners with a pair of needle nose. Lays flat with just a tap on them after install.
Daniel  
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srode

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2011, 08:14:03 PM »
Thanks Daniel, I was thinking there's no way anyone would fight these staples - I'll see what I can dig up at the local hardware store.
Steve - 02D Z11 and a Plain Jane hardtop

Sauron327

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2011, 08:18:42 PM »

srode

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2011, 08:30:04 PM »
Good tip, I'll skip the stainless and go for 16 gauge steel wire - probably easier to find.  I have some .032 stainless safety wire but figured that was a bit too small. 
Steve - 02D Z11 and a Plain Jane hardtop

joesauer

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2011, 05:10:38 PM »
I took John Z's suggestion.....threw away the staples, and used 16 gauge steel (not stainless).  Much easier than using the staples.  Used a pin vise with 1/16" drill bit to pre drill the holes, using the inner fender holes as a template.  Drilled one set of holes in the center first, wired the first connection, then worked towards the sides drilling one set of holes at a time. More posts under Restoration (July 22, 2011 , A arm dust shields).

firstgenaddict

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2011, 07:44:55 PM »
The best way I have found is to do it is to using a dremel or etc to drill holes through the new flaps using the existing Inner Fender holes as the pattern. Feed the TIG wire through and use a pair of needle nose pliers to roll the ends like shown in the Assembly manual.

I used the same method to attach new inner felts to the original door panels painted the staples black and they look just like the originals.
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srode

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2011, 11:15:19 AM »
I'll try a dremel on the flaps this weekend, sounds like a good approach.  Just need to see what bits I have in the kit to work with.
Steve - 02D Z11 and a Plain Jane hardtop

m22mike

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2011, 12:28:48 PM »
More than one way to skin a cat. If anyone wants to use SS safety wire I would suggest .051" over .040. I have used both and the 51 looks to be closer to the diameter of the OEM staples. Very easy to work with.


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srode

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2011, 08:53:20 PM »
I measured the original wire on my coupe and it is right at .05" - also the siize of 19 gauge galvanized wire.
Steve - 02D Z11 and a Plain Jane hardtop

srode

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2011, 11:18:52 AM »
Started on it this morning - quickly figured out if I cut the wire at an angle instead of sqaured off ends, they make a nice sharp point that pokes through the flap material pretty quickly so there's no need to pre drill the flaps. 
Steve - 02D Z11 and a Plain Jane hardtop

srode

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Re: Wrestling with inner fender splash flaps
« Reply #11 on: September 11, 2011, 11:51:45 AM »
I measured the original wire on my coupe and it is right at .05" - also the siize of 19 gauge galvanized wire.
Correction, 18 gauge galvanized wire is .050 - 19 gauge is about .041
Steve - 02D Z11 and a Plain Jane hardtop