What is this gap on my fender flares (2017 Tacoma double cab)

Hello! I got a brand new 2017 SR5 Double Cab almost 3 weeks ago and love it. However, when I got it washed last week I noticed some brownish color between the flares and just thought it was dirt, but it actually looks like the flare is "bending" away from the fender and exposing something underneath.

You know what MDF looks like? Well, that is what it looks like, only spongy...it's a couple mm below the lip of the flare. It sticks out like a sore thumb on the black paint and it's bugging me because I didn't notice it until this past Sunday. It is like this on all 4 flares....am I over-thinking this? I'm coming from two Jeeps so forgive me for my ignorance. Here's some photos. It's a bit more pronounced with the flash.

 

Looks like wax build up where the flares attach to the truck.

 

Yeah, sloppy as F wax job from a 14 yr. old "wash kid".....!! Typical dealer crap quality..!

 

As in...car wash wax that got in between the gap?

Oh dear. Is this a big face-palm moment, entering this forum with a bang?

 

Welcome to TW...
Lots of good advice on here...!!

 

How do I get the crap out? It literally looks like someone took MDF board and stuck it in between my fenders. There's about a 4mm gap between flare and truck which is why I thought it was something else.

 

It is foam. Like a double sided adhesive foam tape. I noticed it on mine.

 

I've seen the same thing on my truck after I wax it...

 

There may be wax there but if you look at the first picture I think that the brown he is referring to is foam. It sticks out on my quicksand a little more.

 

If you follow the gap in the front flares, it changes to black after a small split which does make me think it is exactly as you say. If you look closely it looks like MDF board but spongy.

 

I might have been looking at the wrong thing

I get fixated on white lines on these trucks and I want to make them go away LOL

 

I added that first photo after you had already responded, to better exemplify what I was talking about.

 

I wonder how well it does at holding some briny salty road-mush from up North? Seems like a bad idea...

 

Good question? It's bugging me wondering if it was always exposed like that or I just never noticed it. I did a pretty solid walk-around the truck when I bought it and it didn't catch my eye. It seems off....

 

Speaking of gaps.... anyone else notice the hood to front quarter panels is like a 1/4"? Lol

 

That shouldn't be there either, right!? That's a speed gap.

 

My 2016 DCSB did the same thing on left rear. Push on it as you go around the fender flare and it should snap back in. Mine did.

 

OP - the hood gaps can be fixed by adjusting the screw post rubber thingy's under the hood. It's common to have to adjust that.

 

Thought it was a joke!

 

Ok I will give that a try...annoying that it would happen on all 4?