Basically, I was getting fed up with the lower edge of the mudshield rubbing down to metal where it closes past the rubber strips under the bonnet. I'd replaced the rubber strips, pop riveting new ones on in the hope that they would be softer. I've put vaseline on the strips to prevent them rubbing. I've tried bending the plates the rubber rivets onto in a bit. But always, the lower edges wear down quickly to bare metal.
I noticed it wasn't just me; virtually every E I looked at had metal rubbed off to a greater or lesser extent.
So, simple solution I think. Re-painted the shields yet again, then simply put helicopter tape along the lower edge of the shields where they pass the rubber strips. Doesn't really show unless you look closely, and after numerous opening and closing of the bonnet, still no wear.
Few pics below; you can see the edge of the tape a couple of inches above the bottom edge if you look carefully.
