Body / Glass: fender welt?

[t walgamuth]

Are fender welts a deterrent to rust or a collector of rust?

[fpstude]

I'd say the latter. There is no way they are completely sealed, so contaminants flow through the joint and cause damage. Our '50 spent it's life life in San Diego. It had little rust along the bottom, but many holes in upper areas due to salt in the air.

[RadioRoy]

Remember that the fender welt gets painted body color on a Studebaker. Those who restore their cars and leave the welt black have not done their research.

[t walgamuth]

Remember that the fender welt gets painted body color on a Studebaker. Those who restore their cars and leave the welt black have not done their research.

Does the paint impact rust resistance?

[studegary]

Does the paint impact rust resistance?

Yes, the original style of welt would draw in water. The paint greatly helps to seal out the moisture.

[studegary]

Remember that the fender welt gets painted body color on a Studebaker. Those who restore their cars and leave the welt black have not done their research.

I think that with further research you will find that your rule only applies to 1947-1952 models that are not black. Fred Fox and I did a lot of research on this topic many years ago. Earlier Studebaker models and most, if not all, black cars did not have painted welt. The OP did not state the year of the Studebaker.

[RadioRoy]

You are correct in that I was thinking of 47-52 cars. I just looked at the OP's profile and see he is working on a prewar coupe express.

Do you know what the general rule is for prewar cars?

[BobWaitz]

Are fender welts a deterrent to rust or a collector of rust?

I believe the answer is Yes.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I used colored welting on the Yellow POS.
Bought it at Juliano's Rod shop.
8 years.. No fade.
Doesn't hold water.
Looks great.

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~partsort

[unclemiltie]

I think that with further research you will find that your rule only applies to 1947-1952 models that are not black. Fred Fox and I did a lot of research on this topic many years ago. Earlier Studebaker models and most, if not all, black cars did not have painted welt. The OP did not state the year of the Studebaker.

I remember some years back when Earle Haley was a Tech Editor for Turning Wheels that this same issue was debated multiple times. He indicated that he talked to various folks he considered experts in this arena and indicated the responses he got were also varied. If I remember correctly he concluded that dealer push back helped to convince Studebaker to paint them body color. Customers did not want a black welt on a light colored car. I think black welt was the only color available when these cars were made.

I think you want to have the welt on as it keeps water etc from splashing on the outside of the fender when you are driving. It definitely tends to draw moisture to that seem and cause at least surface rust there on unpainted metal..

[StudeMann]

When I recently did the body and paint on my 51 LC I made sure I primed and finish painted the flanges for all bolt on fenders and panels as well as the corresponding areas of the body to discourage rust from moisture ingress to the joints. I installed new black welting from SI for the back fenders and decided NOT to paint it because I thought it looked really sharp with the rich Comanche Red paint.

I also sprayed paintable rubberized gravel-guard to the inside of the fenders and inner fenders before I reassembled the body. I plan to go back now and spray some more of this material across the joint and the bolts to better seal the joints and to mimic the original undercoat which was sprayed on after assembly.

[t walgamuth]

While we don't seem to have a clear consensus I have some good info here. Has anybody assembled and driven their cars without the welting?

[rockne10]

I've seen the fenders dry fitted without the welt and the seam variation is sufficient to warrant the welt, unless you want to painstakingly true the seam or just weld them together and grind it smooth.

[Skip Lackie]

I've seen the fenders dry fitted without the welt and the seam variation is sufficient to warrant the welt, unless you want to painstakingly true the seam or just weld them together and grind it smooth.

This the other issue that favors the use of welt. I'm restoring a 3R6 pickup and have two NOS rear fenders that I bought many years ago. When we test-fitted the fenders, the seam variation was very noticeable, despite their being brand new. I bought paintable black welt from Restoration Supply, but haven't decided whether to paint it or not. I don't intend to ever have it judged, so I'm not worried about authenticity.

[dtracy]

I did a '35 Dictator years ago and the original color of the car was tan with black fender welting. I painted the car a different color because I wanted it that way but I went back with black welting. I looked good as well as helped to detail the job. I used to do a great deal of painting and I found that paint doesn't stick all that well to fender welting as it is quite flexible. Within a short period of time the paint would crack on the welting and eventually fall off.

If the panels are properly prepaired and painted under the welting there is no issue of increased rusting. Actually, pay close attention to the condition of the body under the welting when you dissasemble and I believe you will see that the welting preserved the original paint and metal better that the surrounding unprotected parts.

Dave.