Vinyl between body panels on assembly - Thoughts?

[JayG]

I'm ready to start reassembling my 1925 Dodge Brothers Roadster and was contemplating putting 6-10 mil adhesive vinyl between any painted surfaces that make contact.  For instance the hood shelfs to fenders I was thinking of putting the vinyl on the bottom of the hood shelf before bolting things in place.

 

Any pros or cons to doing this?  I thought maybe just to avoid paint wear and chipping.  Or is this just a waste of time? Thanks for your thoughts.   Jay

 

[JFranklin]

If it will protect and not be obvious, why not add it?

[jpage]

I use the flange on the real coated fabric fender welt. I've noticed that my '36 dodge uses a buffer between many of it's parts, I assume more to quell squeaks than anything.

[JayG]

I will be installing frame webbing but I also thought the vinyl added for  surface to surface contact would help squeaks from developing 

[Walt G]

Worth the effort - yes if you want to spend the time, but if those body panels squeaked when new the customers would have complained then.

My Packard touring car has 4 doors and was restored over 50 years ago ( then parked in heated storage when not in use) no squeaks or rattles and I do not think any extra material was used between any panels. Most of the roads you will travel on will be paved so less opportunity for shaking around and squeaks.

[Gary_Ash]

Use the Scotch Super 33+ (7 mils thick) or Super 88 (8.5 mils) electrical tape.  It will stick well, conform to shapes, not ooze goo.  Available in black, red, maybe other colors. Cut with scissors or razor knife, don’t try to pull it apart.

Edited February 20, 2022 by Gary_Ash (see edit history)

[bryankazmer]

I wouldn't give a blanket OK.  there are some combinations of vinyl compound and paint, like lacquer and a cheap electrical tape, which could result in plasticizer migration onto the paint, softening it.

[JayG]

That’s a good point.  I did use a 2 part acrylic urethane but that does raise a question whether any chemical reactions will occur.   

[bryankazmer]

Not a chemical reaction, just diffusion to equilibrium.  In general, PVC plasticizers will also have some compatibility in urethanes.  The diffusion will not be fast, but is likely to occur.

[jpage]

Using a product like fender welt, at least the real coated cloth type will not cause any issue, it's been used on almost every antique car with no issues!

[JayG]

This is meant for areas that don’t warrant fender welt.  I’m looking for something very thin and unnoticed to put between painted surfaces.  

[Dave39MD]

I don't know if it would work on the hood shelf you asked about but in some spots I used old school friction tape, other spots roofing felt. If you use anything on the ground path for lights you need to add a ground wire or find some way to be sure your ground is good.

 

Dave

[jpage]

The fender welting material is mighty thin, maybe .010 or less.

[chistech]

Heavy weight roofing felt is a perfect anti squeak and the asphalt in it prevents it from absorption of water. In some areas i also like to use hockey stick cloth tape. 

Edited February 27, 2022 by chistech (see edit history)

[jan arnett (2)]

I use strips of EDM rubber cut from scraps left over from a flat roof.