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Trunk and fenders are all sealed up, and now working on a little filler.

I realized today while I was doing a little filler on my rear fenders that these 4 holes for the trim are not sealed. This could allow water to get between the fender and wheelhouse, a typical area for corrosion on these cars. Maybe the trim holes are the primary reason for corrosion in this area??

I've been diligent to make sure the fender and wheelhouse are all sealed, but I think I should do something for these holes as well. The front one is a bolt which would be simple to put butyl on, maybe I'll do the same for the holes with the clips.

I can't speak to that particular spot or model but on other models where the wire clips and stud type retainers had blind holes where water or dust entering might be an issue, the wire clips often had sealing rubber washers or pads that fit snugly over the spring wires and rested against the clip. The seals were on the outside of the body. Stud types used in accessible spaces had a rubber washer between the body and flat washer and nut or push on clip on the inside space The outside seal was pressed fairly tight by the body of the retaining clip in the molding pushing it over the body hole when the clip was in place so dust and water encroachment was controlled in closed or restricted spaces like doors, quarter panels, or trunks where you wanted minimal water or dust to enter.

Butyl would work as a seal but I would wonder if too much might squeeze into the hole and get inside the body or the space between the wires. If it hardened would it restrict the sides of the clip from compressing or passing back out if you ever wanted to remove it.

Seals were used, but only for the trunk compartment fasteners.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/parts ... &SearchValue=432661&ButtonLookup=Go

You can just make more with approx 1/16" closed cell foam. Use a socket that's approx 3/4" OD (not a 3/4 socket) as a template and cut out little circles with a hobby knife. Leather punch for center hole.

For CLIPS Packard used a rectangular piece with 2 little holes. The above one is for studs only.

The problem is that some of the holes are essentially blind from the backside because of the fenderwell and structure. So you won't be able to get a nut on the backside.

Also, after all the work we do to get these cars back on the road, they are never going to see the inclement weather they did when they were daily drivers.

Most of the trim I removed from my car had the little foam pcs. See photos.
I plan on remaking them when I start reinstalling the trim

My '54 also had the foam squares. Seals better than nothing.

But like Kev said, after restoration these cars are not going to be driving in bad weather anymore. They won't be driven in salt either. So the likelihood that they will have the same dangers of rust is slim at best. I don't think the underside of my '54 has seen moisture since the day I bought it 5 years ago. We have modern vehicles to drive when it's wet.

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Yes, 3 of the holes just have the clips, no nuts. If I do do something to seal them it has to be pliable enough that it doesn't interfere with the clips ability to hold. Having said that the trim is straight and the fender is contoured and bolted and the front and back, so there is some inward force and the clips don't have to do much holding.

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My Cavalier is an all weather Cavalier. Sometimes it's a nice day, but sometimes it's raining, and sometimes it's snowing! Gotta be ready for anything! And the worst might be rinsing it off with the garden hose, I can just imagine water running down the side of my car and right into those little holes! After all the work I've done on my rear fenders there's going to be no chance of that on my watch!

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Oh, that's perfect, thank you!!! If that's what Packard did, that's what I'll do too! Neither my Cavalier or Patrician parts car have any of those little foam blocks, so maybe they started doing that after 53. Maybe I'll get some neoprene, it would be soft and squishy.

Is that a bit of butyl on there?

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Maybe, maybe not! LOL