I saw a question in another thread implying that the clip-on rubber trim on the inside lip of the rear fender causes rusting. Anyone know if there is any truth to this? Should I take it off my car?

 

I can see why it would as it would trap dirt within the edge/crack of the rubber trim. I would scrap it.

 

Why do you think,they put it there???

 

Just because it was put there does not prove it should be there. Maybe under ideal conditions it serves a purpose, but during real world driving I can also see why it might hurt more than help.

Did anyone notice any ill effects from this part?

 

It did on my wife's old Accord. Only spot of rust on it after 11 New York winters. Wish I had pulled it off when the car was new.

 

mine is off, just for clearance... no problems yet!

 

I found that a lot of crap get trapped there. It does come right off, so you can clean the metal edges of the fender and clean out the channel in the moulding. Apply a little wax to the metal and dry the moulding well. You just have to do it once in a while if you want to keep that piece on. I believe it used to be fairly common on older Hondas.

 

Mine are off

 

Ten bucks say's it's there to keep from getting chips. You get chips, it gets wet while un-protected, you still get rust.

Just my $.02

-Chase

 

Removed mine after 2 days, amazing the amount of crud that had already
collected. Here in Toronto they spread lots of road salt in the winter and
anything that helps to trap road crud helps to promote corrosion. Lots of
Civics and Accords on the road with rusted out rear wheel arches and
these pieces of black rubber trim hanging loose.