front trunk handle and bumper gaurds without seal

If you’re worried about your paint, cover it up.
https://www.rvinyl.com/Univers...hx85MIBoCM5cQAvD_BwE

I would think an $8.99 12x12 piece would do a frunk  handle and all four bumper over riders if you cut wisely.

I use something similar, only on a roll, to cover the bulkhead in my Spyder because I step on it getting in and out of the car. With that much abuse, I have to replace it annually, but it protects the paint very well.

By the time I bought mine the seals between the body and several trim pieces were missing. I added them back to the car and like it better.

When I bought my VS there were no rubber grommets separating any of the trim from the paint.  It was built in 2009 and I have no idea if the original buyer ever had them.

What I do know is that anywhere something comes in contact with the the painted surface I wanted a barrier so I spent a negligible amount of money and a few hours one weekend installing rubber seals.

The comfort in knowing the vibrations from driving won’t start to shake the trim to the point of damaging my paint was well worth the time and minimal expense.

Jus tightening down the hood handle is enough to crack the paint.  Many vendors don't install a rubber gasket under the hood handle or the windshield posts.  Adding them finishes the car and provides paint and weather protection.  The gap around the bumper brackets is quite large and lack of a rubber gasket screams fiberglass kit car.

I used door edge guard for the bumper overriders. You can buy it in a roll or in two foot sections. I used black and it really made the installation look nice without gaps. You can use VW type 1 bumper bracket seals on the mounting brackets of the speedster. You will need to cut the back section so that they will sit flush. I used contact adhesive to attach them to the body. Its a very clean finished look

I used flattened rubber tubing under the bumper guards.  It filled the gaps nicely.

so the general consensus is to use protection

@beemerb0y posted:

so the general consensus is to use protection

Since the 80’s.

I think it started before the 80's.