special55 Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Hey Guys,I'm preping the 55 body tub for the blaster and was wondering what the practice has been when it comes to the rubber seals stapled inside the rear wheel wells. The body is very clean and I'm thinking about leaving them in place.I've stripped the majority of the rust proofing just to make sure there isn't any rust hiding under it. It's mostly been clean but I didn't want to take any chances.Just wanting to see what some of you have done durring your restorations.Thanks,Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 On my Special, I didn't do anything other than clean up the wheel wells and light undercoat. I hadn't thought about it for the Century...Let me know so I can see it when I am crawling around under there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 RichLeave them alone unless there is perforating rust in the area. The only way to R&R is to remove the rear quarters---lots of work, little gain.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.kozlowski Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Oh yes, LOTS of work:1955 Buick Special Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I know from the HCC series of articles with Bhigdog's 55 that he did it, but his car was a mess to begin with (no offense, Bob). Plus, he is clearly a better body man than I am, cuz I would never take the rear quarter off, unless it was completely gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special55 Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Hey Guys,Sorry about the confusion but I was talking about the smaller rubber seals that are stapled in place.There are two of them. One in the front and one in the rear that about maybe 16" long. Not the large one sandwiched between the inner and outter quarter.I know I wouldn't be able to staple them back in place like the originals so I was leaning toward leaving them in place.I will try and get a picture up tonight so you can see what I'm talking about.Rich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Rich,I think I know the piece you're talking about. The piece that keeps mud and water from flinging between the wheel well and the outer quarter? Therefore:RichLeave them alone unless there is perforating rust in the area. The only way to R&R is to remove the rear quarters---lots of work, little gain.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special55 Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Rich,I think I know the piece you're talking about. The piece that keeps mud and water from flinging between the wheel well and the outer quarter? Therefore:Mike,Those are the ones.And that's the way I'm leaning.Thanks for the reply.So how long before you're cleared to get back in the garage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Meet with the Doc at 1:45 today. I picked up a 50 lb. bag of blasting media yesterday so I already beat him to the punch. I did light stuff (rebuilt rocker arms, oil pump) this past weekend so I haven't been bedridden for at least a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special55 Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Meet with the Doc at 1:45 today. I picked up a 50 lb. bag of blasting media yesterday so I already beat him to the punch. I did light stuff (rebuilt rocker arms, oil pump) this past weekend so I haven't been bedridden for at least a week.You're such a rebel Just don't rush it too much. You want that patch to take hold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 For what it's worth, on my 57, I removed and replaced the stapled rubber seals on the lower quarter exentsions (mostly because they had stiffened to rock like substance) and took some long staples and lined em up from the backside, pushed them through and then peened over the protruding staple legs to close them up. Worked fine and looks original. Better than my thought of pop riveting the things on.. Good luck on your quarter..Holy Moly!! Lots of fun there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special55 Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Thanks for the info Jim. Mine are still pretty pliable as they were covered in rust proofing since new and that seemed to preserve them some.My experience with these types of rubber parts being blasted is they come out really clean and looking pretty new. That's as long as they aren't too brittle to begin with.It's good to know somone has had some success with reinstalling them with new staples though.And that's not my car with the quarter cut off. That is Koz from Poland.And yes he does have his work cut out fo him. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Yeah, But he cut it out for himself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special55 Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 Hey Guys,Sorry about the confusion but I was talking about the smaller rubber seals that are stapled in place.There are two of them. One in the front and one in the rear that about maybe 16" long. Not the large one sandwiched between the inner and outter quarter.I know I wouldn't be able to staple them back in place like the originals so I was leaning toward leaving them in place.I will try and get a picture up tonight so you can see what I'm talking about.Rich.Here are a couple pictures but I think Mike described them pretty well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Thanks for the pics....I have a '54 but there is considerable undercoating so I have not found what is in these pictures.I'm guessing its there in my 54? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special55 Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 Thanks for the pics....I have a '54 but there is considerable undercoating so I have not found what is in these pictures.I'm guessing its there in my 54?Keep diggin BobYou'll find em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Maybe I should just leave well enough alone then?The wells are rock solid... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special55 Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 Maybe I should just leave well enough alone then?The wells are rock solid...Might not be a bad idea if yours look that good.I wanted to take a look under the rust proof because some of the rust on mine had crept up to the edge. I didn't want to go this far just to have the rust come back in a couple years.Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Hey guys, I am looking for the front left side seal for my 55. Mine was only half there and I removed the rest of it to do some body work. If anyone has one let me know. Thanks, Mudbone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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