My new to me CMC widebody has nerf bars( do have the bumpers if any one is interested, I do not need them). I have always thought it didn't look finished since it was just the bar going through the cut in the body for bumper mounts...missing something. Now I do not know if other Speedsters have this issue so this only for what I found out and did for mine on a CMC. I was talking with my buddy Mike the VW guy when he was over at the house Re: gaskets or something...he said i think I have what might work, he took off ran back home and returned with a package of 4 49-64 VW bumper gaskets...they work and are available from VW aftermarket parts suppliers for around $7 for 4.
Photo1. how it looks without a gasket
Photo2. After bar is removed
Photo3. Stock gasket before cutting off inner lip
Photo4. Gasket with inner lip removed
Photo5. 3M Super Gasket Adhesive--black
Photo6. Finished
Now to install, remove the nerf bar then make two very small slits in the gasket opening on the long end--important long end must go down on the bar. Slide the gasket over the bar all the way to the upright. Now slide the bar back into the opening, slip in one bolt to hold it in place. Slide the gasket down tight to the body, mark all four sides...this is for the next step.
Now take the 3M Gasket Adhesive and run a bead of adhesive on the gasket on the nerf bar -- important stay on the inside ridge of the inner surface of the gasket to prevent a lot of adhesive from squeezing out. Then applu a similar bead to the body staying well inside the lines previously made.
Re-install the nerf bar, bolting it up tight--now take a break
have a can of your favorite libation...then in about 15 minutes go back to the nerf bar and slide the gasket up tight to the body using medium pressure...it should adhere tightly, if not pull the gasket back and wait a bit more.
Now if any adhesive has squeezed out use some 3M Adhesive and Wax Remover on an old microfiber rag to remove the squeezed out adhesive...it'll clean up the adhesive fast and will not harm paint--I've used it for years when attaching body gaskets and never had a problem. Get out your favorite wax an polish up the surface around the nerf bar.
Hope this helps someone else.
