<VV> VV Cold draft above kick panels

[RKHenry]

> From: john
> 
> I have discovered a very cold draft running down the road rising out of
> the upper portion of the kick panels on a late model I have been driving
> to work. Upon removing the panels I found none of the usual white sticky
> putty that is normally around the vent. I am not sure if this stuff is
> still available and the parts store guy just gives me the "deer in the
> headlights" look (probably thinking...the wierd corvair guy looking for
> something no body else ever needs....)
>   I have used plastic modeling clay (yeah...raiding the kids toybox,
> again) before in a pinch but was wondering if there is a reasonable
> substitute anywhere to be found. This is last dumb question I will ask
> this week.....promise!

You need to find a better parts store.

On my Corsa, I used 3M strip calk. This was a foot-long cardboard box
containing round strips of caulk on waxed paper. You just peel off a strip
and stick it in place. It's soft, non-hardening, and at the time they had
white, black, and the grey that I got. It's sort of like a window weld caulk
strip but it isn't as sticky and the short strips are easier to handle. I
used it for bumper bracket bolt holes, around trim screws, every place water
or air could get in. You don't have to use a caulk gun, keeps for years, and
it doesn't drip or sag and make a mess.

Searching the 3M web site, the only product like it today seems to be #08578
and is only available in black. 

Amazon.com (yeah, the bookstore) lists "3M strip calk" for $11.87 a box. You
could check a local parts supplier that caters to body shops.

The only dumb question is one that isn't about Corvairs.

RK Henry