Wheelwell trim

[Norwester]

I saw a c-10 that's the same body style as my '86 short box and it had what looked to be factory wheel well trim with no other trim on the side. I really liked the look and I see LMC has the trim for about $50.00

My concern is that I don't want any rust to start. My truck is essentially rust free, I live in the PNW, and it sits in the driveway.

Anybody have experience with this?

 

[AKguy]

Any time you penetrate the steel, give a place to hold moisture, etc., you are inviting corrosion. I just installed new well trim over new paint and I cringed with every screw hole! However, the truck looks unfinished without them. A person should really remove the trim yearly to address anything starting to stay ahead of the game. I am still plotting ways to keep ahead/behind the wheels protected from gathering a ton of dirt.

 

[Norwester]

I thought about putting a little gob of sealant on the screw threads before installing and considered removing them every year or two to clean it up. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Grit dog]

I saw a c-10 that's the same body style as my '86 short box and it had what looked to be factory wheel well trim with no other trim on the side. I really liked the look and I see LMC has the trim for about $50.00

My concern is that I don't want any rust to start. My truck is essentially rust free, I live in the PNW, and it sits in the driveway.

Anybody have experience with this?

As a wetsider, you have not too much to worry about rust wise, fortunately.
The trim holes aren't also likely what would get your truck first, rust-wise, but yes it's a concern. I certainly wouldn't let that hold up sprucing up the truck.
I'd clean up the inside of the fender wells real good, including the lip they screw into and just paint that area on the backside after the install.
Sealant (caulking, seamsealer, etc) is an "ok" idea IMO, but it's not going to protect from the important side (back side) and may just trap moisture a bit longer.