Any suppliers providing better (or worse) weatherstripping than others? I'm looking for as close to OEM as possible for my 81. I bought a kit from Ecklers, but at first check (it was still cold) it doesn't seem as "supple" as OEM. I've used inferior rubber products in the past on other restorations and the doors were always harder than heck to get shut and never sealed as well as OEM. What's your experience been? Who sells the "best" seals? I've seen Steele rubber products and they seem to be as close to OEM as I've seen. Thanks in advance.

Mark G

 

The guys I know that are "in the know" say that Corvette Rubber is the place to go for weatherstripping. I've got a complete set for Miranda, including the hardtop - everything will be replaced (soon).

Don't know yet whether it's up to snuff or not, but it seemed quite "supple" to me.

 

I found out in Carlisle this year what a problem the weatherstrips are. Corvette central was doing a tech session on window adjustments, and I volunteered my 70 vert.

The guy kept asking me about my pillar weatherstrip. Told him they were there since the 70's.(GM). He said I should hold onto them cause no one makes anything close. Showed me 5 or 6 C3's with replacement. He was right. No comparrision. Also said a lot of loose door glass issues are due to the hard replacement rubber.

 

I talked to Scott Dixon, Corvetteworx, and he sells the high quality weatherstripping. He did a group buy last year, but I haven't seen anything since. I'm looking to get some new T-top stipping.

 

Well I just spent a little more time checking the new weatherstripping I got from Ecklers and compared it to some of the original 1981 stuff. It's definitely not as good as the original (what's left). It doesn't have the same "feel". I wouldn't call the new stuff horrible, or crappy, just not as soft or supple as OEM. The original GM stuff was a soft foam core that was covered by a smooth, thin rubber membrane. There must be some sort of "trick" to producing the same kind of high quality weatherstripping GM was using in the 70's and 80's because few aftermarket suppliers do it very well. OTOH, much of the new stuff I've been seeing in the last 10 years (on new cars and replacement weatherstripping) seems to revolve around a different technology where the rubber is a different kind of composition. Generally the stripping now is hollow and that provides the "sponginess" rather than the soft foam inner core. I imagine most manufacturers moved away from the old style GM foam because it was so delicate. Anyone that ever used a coat hanger to open a car door knows what I'm talking about.

Will the new stuff work? yea probably, but I don't think it will be as good. I prefer as close to OEM feel and quality as I can get. I've been down this aftermarket weatherstripping road before and don't care to have the sealing problems I've faced in the past. I'll try some of the other suppliers you mentioned.

Any other suggestions or opinions??

Mark G