Help with weatherstrip
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro NC
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Wichita Kansas
weatherstrip glue removal
I am in the middle of replacing all my weather strip with a willcox set. Took off the A-pillar WS and it has left rubber and WS black adhesive all around it. I found that a cheap - 88 cent - plastic putty knife from Home Depot works well. The narrowest I found was 2 inch so I cut it to about a half inch wide (track width). It's gentle on the tracks as it gives way before the metal. You'll need more than one as the edge wears out. Throw yourself around at 88 cents each. I'm using the 3M weather strip adhesive remover and applying it sparingly with a small "flux" brush. Let it sit a while then use the plactic scraper. The thickness of the scraper is just right for getting in the curved parts of the track and it has a flat side that you can scrape the inside top of the curved part of the track. I also use a dry rag and elbow grease to get the softened rubber to ball up and pull more of itself off. Hope this helps. I got 2X as much done with this "tool" versus the conventional metal scraper and or towel and I have no risk of tearing up the track. Hope this helps.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento Tennessee
Thanks for the tip on the plastic putty knife. 
Copper
Copper
I am in the middle of replacing all my weather strip with a willcox set. Took off the A-pillar WS and it has left rubber and WS black adhesive all around it. I found that a cheap - 88 cent - plastic putty knife from Home Depot works well. The narrowest I found was 2 inch so I cut it to about a half inch wide (track width). It's gentle on the tracks as it gives way before the metal. You'll need more than one as the edge wears out. Throw yourself around at 88 cents each. I'm using the 3M weather strip adhesive remover and applying it sparingly with a small "flux" brush. Let it sit a while then use the plactic scraper. The thickness of the scraper is just right for getting in the curved parts of the track and it has a flat side that you can scrape the inside top of the curved part of the track. I also use a dry rag and elbow grease to get the softened rubber to ball up and pull more of itself off. Hope this helps. I got 2X as much done with this "tool" versus the conventional metal scraper and or towel and I have no risk of tearing up the track. Hope this helps.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here is the Current Forum sale price on the 78-82 weatherstrip kit.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25490
Thank you!
Willcox :thumbs"
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25490
Thank you!
Willcox :thumbs"
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
Here are some thoughts to bear in mind:
GM used latex-covered foam, while some of the aftermarket gaskets are EPDM rubber, kind of a spongy rubber ...but not nearly as soft as the original GM foam. The gaskets around the windows are going to be most critical. While at Bloomington Gold, the gaskets that Smart Parts sell are as soft as I've seen. Maybe Wilcox sells the same stuff (no idea). I know the stuff I originally got from Ecklers (Corvette America made) was awful ...very hard. Take care,
Best of luck.
Mark G
- Aftermarket gaskets are not created equal, some are a lot harder than others.
- Gaskets that are harder (stiffer) than GM gaskets will not seal as well and require you to probably have to slam your door to close properly.
- IMO, none of the afternarket door gaskets are as good as OEM GM although some are pretty close.
- If you find the good (soft) gaskets, you will be much happier
GM used latex-covered foam, while some of the aftermarket gaskets are EPDM rubber, kind of a spongy rubber ...but not nearly as soft as the original GM foam. The gaskets around the windows are going to be most critical. While at Bloomington Gold, the gaskets that Smart Parts sell are as soft as I've seen. Maybe Wilcox sells the same stuff (no idea). I know the stuff I originally got from Ecklers (Corvette America made) was awful ...very hard. Take care,
Best of luck.
Mark G
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here are some thoughts to bear in mind:
GM used latex-covered foam, while some of the aftermarket gaskets are EPDM rubber, kind of a spongy rubber ...but not nearly as soft as the original GM foam. The gaskets around the windows are going to be most critical. While at Bloomington Gold, the gaskets that Smart Parts sell are as soft as I've seen. Maybe Wilcox sells the same stuff (no idea). I know the stuff I originally got from Ecklers (Corvette America made) was awful ...very hard. Take care,
Best of luck.
Mark G
- Aftermarket gaskets are not created equal, some are a lot harder than others.
- Gaskets that are harder (stiffer) than GM gaskets will not seal as well and require you to probably have to slam your door to close properly.
- IMO, none of the afternarket door gaskets are as good as OEM GM although some are pretty close.
- If you find the good (soft) gaskets, you will be much happier
GM used latex-covered foam, while some of the aftermarket gaskets are EPDM rubber, kind of a spongy rubber ...but not nearly as soft as the original GM foam. The gaskets around the windows are going to be most critical. While at Bloomington Gold, the gaskets that Smart Parts sell are as soft as I've seen. Maybe Wilcox sells the same stuff (no idea). I know the stuff I originally got from Ecklers (Corvette America made) was awful ...very hard. Take care,
Best of luck.
Mark G
Mark-
I keep NOS GM door mains so I can show customers that walk in to the parts counter the difference. The Corvette Rubber Weatherstrips are actually softer than the GM weatherstrips!
The bonus.... No one in the US lost a job while they were being made! USA made and not imported from India or China!
Willcox
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 592
Likes: 3
From: Austin Tx
weather strip
Mark-
I keep NOS GM door mains so I can show customers that walk in to the parts counter the difference. The Corvette Rubber Weatherstrips are actually softer than the GM weatherstrips!
The bonus.... No one in the US lost a job while they were being made! USA made and not imported from India or China!
Willcox
I keep NOS GM door mains so I can show customers that walk in to the parts counter the difference. The Corvette Rubber Weatherstrips are actually softer than the GM weatherstrips!
The bonus.... No one in the US lost a job while they were being made! USA made and not imported from India or China!
Willcox
How hard are the seat to do yourself? I know there are tech articles on it and it doesn't seem too hard, but just curious. Does it require the patience of Jobe?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Review the A.I.M. for the correct method of installation for each seal; use any retention pins that are supplied (i.e. roof panel seals for T-tops). Absolute cleanliness of the seal and mating body surfaces is a must. Also, buy the black 3M weatherstrip adhesive [instead of yellow]. Put blue painter's tape on either side of the area where the seal will be placed, so that excess adhesive will not be a clean-up problem later. Finally, plan how you are going to hold the seals in place while they are curing. Do so in advance so that you have everything at hand when you need it (tape strips already torn, etc.).
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
On your weatherstrips, we always do a re-adjust on the door glass after the weatherstrips are installed. There is a few sheets on our site abou this and this process is also included in the AIM.
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,218
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Frank,
I'll only add that I think its a good idea to put the various pieces in place for a dry fit before you start any glue. That way you'll have some idea where you're going to need to put the tape that 7T1 mentions.
It's not too difficult a job, but does take some planning and patience.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Here's a picture of the tape I used to control the adhesive and a picture of the blue tape holding the first dry fit in place.
I'll only add that I think its a good idea to put the various pieces in place for a dry fit before you start any glue. That way you'll have some idea where you're going to need to put the tape that 7T1 mentions.
It's not too difficult a job, but does take some planning and patience.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Here's a picture of the tape I used to control the adhesive and a picture of the blue tape holding the first dry fit in place.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Alan-
Love that car. We use grease pencil marks about every 6" after the front and rear ends are screwed down dry. This keeps you from pulling the weatherstip forward while doing the install.
w
Love that car. We use grease pencil marks about every 6" after the front and rear ends are screwed down dry. This keeps you from pulling the weatherstip forward while doing the install.
w
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Alan.... why did you you use thin white tape over a wider tape???
I bought my weatherstrip kit from Doc Rebuild. I would ONLY expect these are the best from Dr. Rebuild... aren't they from Corvette Rubber Weatherstripping?
Good post - look forward to more guidance and pics as I will soon be here...... and honestly feeling apprehensive on this task...
I bought my weatherstrip kit from Doc Rebuild. I would ONLY expect these are the best from Dr. Rebuild... aren't they from Corvette Rubber Weatherstripping?
Good post - look forward to more guidance and pics as I will soon be here...... and honestly feeling apprehensive on this task...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Feeling apprehensive is a good thing...it keeps you from being over-confident and making simple mistakes. Think through everything before you start the project to identify pitfalls; and think a couple of steps ahead as you are working before executing any individual task.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
Wilcox,
I wasn't trying to make offense in the earlier post, I haven't used the Corvette Rubber door gaskets. I may have seen them, by someone else at car shows. Are they molded as one piece, or are the ends molded onto an extruded hollow-core EPDM center section? That's what I've typically been seeing. That causes hard spots where the ends are joined. Also, the aftermarket weatherstrips I've been seeing don't have as good of latex coating in most instances than original GM. But I may have not been looking at the C/R gaskets. Thanks,
Mark G
I wasn't trying to make offense in the earlier post, I haven't used the Corvette Rubber door gaskets. I may have seen them, by someone else at car shows. Are they molded as one piece, or are the ends molded onto an extruded hollow-core EPDM center section? That's what I've typically been seeing. That causes hard spots where the ends are joined. Also, the aftermarket weatherstrips I've been seeing don't have as good of latex coating in most instances than original GM. But I may have not been looking at the C/R gaskets. Thanks,
Mark G
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,218
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi KB,
I used the narrow tape because I felt I could curve it around the way I wanted. You might get away with the 3/4" but I had the other so I used it.
I was stunned how hard the doors were to latch at first, but after sitting closed for a week or two they turned out to latch just fine.
Patience!!!!
Regards,
Alan
I used the narrow tape because I felt I could curve it around the way I wanted. You might get away with the 3/4" but I had the other so I used it.
I was stunned how hard the doors were to latch at first, but after sitting closed for a week or two they turned out to latch just fine.
Patience!!!!
Regards,
Alan
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 592
Likes: 3
From: Austin Tx
It's a 74. Thinking about it. The seat covers are in okay shape, but new seat covers would help greatly. I think the foam is fine, but I don't know until looking into it further.