snowballjon

I have read many threads on weatherstripping and see problems with quality of weatherstrip and also fitment. I narrowed down to either purchase CRC rubber kit for $275 or a Latex kit for $375. Is the Latex better overall and should I go with it on my C3? Please help me so I can place my order.

0Willcox Corvette

You can't go wrong with the CRC weatherstrips... It is the only weatherstrips we install in our shop... and they are USA made. The all laytex repro stuff is imported.

1974ta

What they said

Just curious if CRC has resolved the issue with their pillar post ws with attached hinge so the window can move up and down freely.

Bill

0Willcox Corvette

What year Bill? I've not had any issue with the pillars. We just installed a set on a 79 (which would cover 72-82) a few weeks ago, and we did a 68 (68-71) late last year. Both worked fine without issue.

DUB

I do not want to "kick the hornets nest".

For what it is worth...the factory latex were made in Canada due to the chemicals required are illegal for use in the United States....as I was told. And...YES...they are being made overseas...and I am glad. On a 1978-1982...the rear verticals are the softest I have found. Improvements are being made to the latex weatherstrips...and they have come a long way.

YES...I do use both (Corvette Rubber and latex)...and that is until some issues with the latex t-top weatherstrips are resolved. I know who is having them made and I often times test them for correct fit and other issues. Even the 1984-1996 latex weatherstrips also.

T-top weather strips...I use Corvette Rubber for the 1968-1977. They have issues also...due to the "spine" of the weatherstrip where the anchor pins are installed can easily tear during installation ...due to the "spine" is not dense enough to handle some pulling to get the pins to align...which is required. So care must be taken when installing.

The latex t-tops "spine" is a bit to thick and dense...and even though they fit great...the density of the "spine" and its thickness does effect the way the top will go in. They also are being re-worked and I am waiting on re-worked samples. Once this "spine" issue is correct. I will use only the latex due to they are softer.

Pillar posts..I use the latex. I am not concerned with the extension being attached...because if you know how to get them joined ...it is not a problem. Does it take more time...YES it does...but I prefer that the pillars be latex due to their softness and being soft like a marshmallow. And the reason for this is that the weatherstrip being soft...will allow the window to go up all the way (if power windows and the door closed) and not bind and stop about an inch from being all the way up. The window will seal well and with the weatherstrip being so soft...the window rollers will not be under any excessive stress and not fail so quickly. care in making sure the window parts are all good and adjustment in the door glass is required. When I shut the door...I do not want the door glass to flex out. Just enough to stop water. I can not comment (good or bad) on how well CRC pillars work...only because I use the latex and if the latex was not available..I then would have to consider them.

I use latex door mains also. They do require a little bit of modifying...but it is not a big deal (5 min). But when I get done installing them after my slight modification...you do not have to slam the door to close it...and the weatherstrips take seat very quickly. And when you go to open the door...the door does not fly open due to being under stress.

The rear verticals are what they are due to early designs are not latex.

YES...I know...Corvette Rubber does not have a latex coating on their weatherstrips...obviously. They can wear/shred away...which I have seen...the latex coating can also wear/peel and expose the foam inside. So it is a decision you need to make.

Regardless of which design to choose. They will take time to install. I go for the latex design because the time I have spent on installing aftermarket weatherstrips in the past just trying to get the windows to work correctly when the door is shut...cost more than the extra $$$ for the latex. I will not install any aftermarket kits that are not latex...if latex was original equipment. I have original latex in my shop so people can feel the difference where it makes the biggest difference in the ways components function and operate.

DUB

briankeery

As with my other cars, latex when available. Thanks for the update on T-top weathersripping Dub, I need to replace my driver's side M1131 this spring.

scottyp99

Ever notice that, very often, when someone says "I don't want to kick the hornet's nest." it's because they are getting ready to kick a hornet's nest?

Scott

1974ta

I have original pillar post weather strip w/o the hinge. I have the hinge separately. How exactly can I attach them DUB?

Your comment on the door weather strips are correct too. This is my experience. I thought I was stuck with slamming my doors. How closely do the latex door ws match up to originals? I even purchased some NOS ws for the doors but of course they were too old and hard.



Thanks, Bill

0Willcox Corvette

When it comes to a customers car in my shop, I'm looking for something that works and is time tested! I'm looking for something I don't have to modify to install and will satisfy my customer without regard.

I have never.. not been able to install a CRC weatherstrip kit! I can get and sell the imported Laytex stuff but choose other wise! It's hard to thwart success with the CRC weatherstrips.

Bill.. if you have 3966565 and 566 pillar weatherstrips they are for 1972-1982 cars and not for a 1970. They will have to be modified slightly to be installed. Originally on the 68-71 cars, the lower was bonded to the upper pillar, you can use the 3m black glue once you have both installed to bond them together.

IMHO,

Willcox

DUB

...I think I clearly planted my foot right in the darn thing.

DUB

DUB

I have also purchased GM weatherstrips that were completely wrong...because some BOZO from GM switched the supplier and never paid attention to quality.

DUB

0Willcox Corvette

Certainly not one with me Dub... I value your opinion as much if not more than most. If you were talking about the OEM original stuff it was hard to beat.

But... All things considered, our last experience with the imported indo laytex weatherstripping, included sticking to the glass, sticking to the header (on the c4 cars) and tearing. The quality just isn't there. I've not seen anything recently about these issues being corrected so I'll stay with what I know works.

Willcox

DUB

110% I REALLY DO...because I got caught up in that problem of sticking. Man did I ever!!!! But it is a part of progress. We both know who is making these w/strips...and he gets an earful from me when something goes wrong...and I am GLAD that he actually wants to know so he can get it right. SO...if I have to exchange/replace a piece or two from time to time...I GLADLY do it. If these w/strips have issues and need get re-formulated to perfection....I would gladly be a part of this process...so when they are finally SPOT-ON...I could feel good about it. Because I can still remember how it was BEFORE he started investing his time and money on reproducing them. It was an utter cluster ----. Trying to get glass to seal against w/strips that have rock hard / super dense rubber in them...is and was a joke....and when the door mains are also super dense in areas...as you know...make them not ( in my opinion) worth a darn.

I know that the sticking issue has been corrected...because I have replaced many that have not failed. I understand that they are not quite 100% perfect like GM's were...but are SUPER CLOSE to it...and when I have customers bring me kits in from many suppliers...and I feel them...and show them compared to a latex style...there is no mistake that I will take my chances with the latex...because there is an evident issue with the aftermarket w/strips in specific areas. And I know you know where I am talking about....you have to.

YEAH..it really stunk to have to deal with the sticky w/strips....but it is also like if we did not live through the years of 8-track tape players...we would not have cassettes and then CD's and so on. SO...I am confident that he will get these RIGHT..because I know that he wants them right....and he is correcting the fine issues to get them to perfection.

DUB

MSS400

Anything new regarding the fit on latex T-top weatherstrip? Have they fixed the problems or is it still not quite right?

Priya

I bought all GM factory weatherstripping for my 79 and had the dealer install it. It was somewhere around $2,000 just for the weatherstripping. Much to my dismay a couple of years later I noticed the weatherstripping on the outside of the passenger t-top where the door glass rests had split along the length of the t-top. I'm not sure if a different adjustment of the door glass would have prevented it but I regret buying the expensive weatherstripping and having the GM dealer install it. And the A pillar trim piece on the driver's side had a sharp edge where the door meets the a pillar and that cut the weatherstripping on the door. I took the A pillar trim off and ground away the sharp edge at the bottom but it was too late. I had the dealer install it precisely to prevent this sort of thing from happening.

MSS400

Does anyone even still sell latex weatherstrip for the A pillar? Mine is a 72. All I see is latex for T-tops and doors.

Torqued Off

I just installed CRC weatherstrips at all locations, and everything worked perfectly, and its the first time I ever did it. I followed the instructions in the Assembly Manual. Pretty simple, with patience it requires to make the window adjustments.

0Willcox Corvette

Time tested and time proven..