Over time, a build up of road gravel has accumulated in the front lip of the body shell (by the front air intake.) Stones are thrown up by the wheels and naturally settle where I can’t easily get them out because the radiator protector undertray is kinda in the way.
So to stop this build-up of stones and dust, I’ve filled-in the front side bodywork channels with Sikaflex; and I’ve blocked the path, by blocking the hole where the upright wheel arch panel separates the arch from the front air inlet area with a piece of shaped plastic held in place with Sikaflex. This will stop any stones rattling and rolling to the lowest point. i.e. behind the oil cooler air inlet lip.
Only time will tell if it’s worked, but as the channel is in direct line of the tyres, all the stones and dross that is thrown up will just fall back onto the road.
And if any gets into the centre lip area, I’ve drilled a small hole in the centre point, the lowest point, to allow dross and small stones (and water) to naturally be remove because of the effect of vibration and gravity.
I also filled in the channel at the back of the wheel arch (a couple of months ago) and now there are no stones accumulating there, so I'm confident my strategy is sound.
