C series front fender mounting

[kencombs]

Working on my 56 finally removed fender to repair rust in the rear.  Where it bolts to the front there were remnants of a soft sealer , sort of like plumbers putty.  
 

Does anyone know if that was factory?  And, if so what is a suitable replacement?  I’m thinking seam sealer to prevent water entry and new rust.  It looks like whatever I use the fender and front header panel would need to be painted before assembly, at least one coat. 
 

there is a lot of hidden rust front and rear.  I’ve got about 8-9 hours in this one fender and not done with welding and dent straightening.  And still have to do the same to the inner splash shield where it fastens between the cab and fender.  
 

luckily the cab isn’t rusted in that  area, just the floor. 

Edited July 10, 2021 by kencombs

[Radarsonwheels]

Are you talking about where the inner and outer front fenders join with the rad support area?

 

I usually find that areas that let water escape are fine but areas where water stays like two flanges flat on each other is where water likes to hang out and rot. Sometimes sealer keeps water out, sometimes it keeps it in. 
 

Also I think some of those type areas on my C series had tar or whatever inbetween to keep from being squeaky and give a more solid ride? Mine had some of that too.

[kencombs]

9 hours ago, Radarsonwheels said:

Are you talking about where the inner and outer front fenders join with the rad support area?

 

I usually find that areas that let water escape are fine but areas where water stays like two flanges flat on each other is where water likes to hang out and rot. Sometimes sealer keeps water out, sometimes it keeps it in. 
 

Also I think some of those type areas on my C series had tar or whatever inbetween to keep from being squeaky and give a more solid ride? Mine had some of that too.

Yep, that’s the area.  Lots of rust on the two flanges on mine.  I’ll be adding a new strip of steel.  Probably prep and paint the mating surfaces before bolting back together with some seam sealer in there.  That stuff is made to be painted over so any that’s visible in the joint won’t matter. 

[CO54]

When I pulled my front fenders and all components apart, I found what at one point was probably rubber body welting between the cowl and fenders.  That was the only place I ran into anything other than metal on metal contact. 

Fortunately mine was an Arizona truck so I didn't run into anything but light surface rust/patina in there. 

[kencombs]

2 hours ago, CO54 said:

When I pulled my front fenders and all components apart, I found what at one point was probably rubber body welting between the cowl and fenders.  That was the only place I ran into anything other than metal on metal contact. 

Fortunately mine was an Arizona truck so I didn't run into anything but light surface rust/patina in there. 

Mine also has the welting at the cowl/fender joint.  Lots of rust between bolts at the front.  Apparently where the bolts held all the metal together tightly water/mud was kept out, but between bolts there must have been a lot that stayed in there.  Same was true at the back vertical reinforcement.  Fender and reinforcement both rusted.  About a 16x2 strip vertical in the fender and a foot or so of the reinforcement were replaced with welded new steel.  On the passenger side only.   Even the headlight bucket has a rust hole.    drivers side comes off next week.