Hello all, I'm looking for your valued advice on the correct/best fender welt to use on our 1946 Ford Tudor rebuild. Here in Australia we also suffer from high UV levels so that may effect the choice. So far I have only seen these two typical versions ..... one style that is made from a grained vinyl sheet material with a 3/16" or 1/4" nylon chord sewn in between and the other is an extruded hollow 1/4" bead rubber profile, though some are advertised as a Chevy product. https://thirdgenauto.com/product/1930s-40s-50s-new-25-foot-roll-of-fender-welting-2/ https://www.joesantiqueauto.com/black-fender-welting-b-16070-20 https://cwmoss.com/products/fender-...6N7k1Bd1YZXeNO7FWaZ65hjWFPiN22vyO4p4E#details https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/tr...VNnEPxHlPX0EUbpv4phrxnlEDZoyPTFiBOIsCCzp7ABSV https://www.classychevusa.com/index..._id=1820/category_id=41/mode=prod/prd1820.htm The other part of the question is whether the welt can/should be painted ..... or not, and if so, what prep is required. Thanks in advance, I'm looking forwards to your replies.
Don’t paint it. I’d bet any welt will last a good long time. At least as long as any of the other rubber based products on the outside of your car. You could even get some custom made of upholstery vinyl to perfectly match your paint if you want.
I like the grained vinyl with the smaller bead. when I see the larger bead I always think someone was trying to hide a misfit panel. I have painted it many times, clean it well, light coat of primer and a quality paint. to paint it it can be hung or stapled, stretched between to saw horses.
Watercraft / boat Materials Upholstery shop. I recently was looking for some custom Wind welt to be made thinking $100 plus , $40ish
I bought some VW fender welting that's a tougher product, and also a smaller bead. It came in 25 ft rolls for about $25 and has a nice wide belt as part of it that makes it easy to work with. It takes some cuts in places where it makes tight turns to keep the flat part laying flat, but that wasn't any problem with decent scissors to make Vee cuts. Just stop 1/4" from the bead to keep the cuts hidden.
Thanks to all that's contributed. 1971BB427 ..... Thanks for the VW heads up, that is looking like my preferred option at the moment and I've requested info from a few different suppliers. I also found your earlier HAMB contributions to this subject after searching VW welting. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/fender-welt-welting.1239757/ Thanks again everyone.
Try the local rubber supplies (U.E.S.), they have branches in most states. They have the black PVC? type, it hangs in there well.
UES Hardware NSW Unit 1/369 Victoria StWetherill Park NSW 2164 Open Mon-Fri: 8:00am to 4:30pm 1300 00 1904 support@ues-hardware.com
I used the Empi #B6-0170-0. Its a smooth rubber extrusion, 1/4 bead 1-1/4 flange. Sold for VW beetles, in 25 ft rolls. Worked well and the smooth bead does not trap dust as the textured material does. Lasted for over 20 years.
Thanks for that info ..... I've been using UES for many years and never thought of them to have it. Gratefully appreciated.
Thanks for that info ..... I've already requested tech info from EMPI about their #00-6730-0 and #B6-0170-0 profiles but they're really slow to reply. I see that SPEEDWAY have the EMPI #B6-0170-0 in 25ft lengths for $18. Glad that you liked it, it's very difficult to know what's shit and what's not these days. MOORE PARTS SOURCE in Cal. are EMPI distributors too and they have been extremely supportive so far. Thanks again, much appreciated.
I had the upholstery shop sew up some vinyl around a round cord. The vinyl color matched the car's color and the welting practically visually disappeared once it was installed.
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