I started trying to replace my weatherstrips in January with Willcox weatherstrips, and what should have been a weekend job is still in progress months later. Some of that was "while I'm at it" stuff, but it I can't seem to install the door weatherstrips.

The windshield and door pillar pieces were easy, and the roof panel seals just clicked into place. But, the door weatherstrips don't actually stick to the car. I cleaned around the doors extensively with 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover, and they are clean enough to eat off of. The weatherstrips themselves were wiped with denatured alcohol to remove the mold release, and both the door and weatherstrip surfaces were coated with a thin layer of the 3M weatherstrip adhesive. Once it was tacky (maybe 5-10 min or so), I applied another thin layer to the weatherstrip piece and attached it to the door. I went around in 12" sections making sure not to stretch the rubber too much, and it seemed to go on fine. I closed the door, did the other side, and then waited for a couple hours.

I came back, opened the door, and the passenger side weatherstrip just fell off. The driver side is still stuck to the car, but only just. I guess I just wasted $100 on door weatherstrips, so does anyone have any advice before I order new stuff and try again? I don't know what went wrong, and I feel like this job really shouldn't be this hard.

Passenger side:


Driver Side:

 

You're not doing anything wrong....I can't imagine why it wouldn't stick?

Maybe I missed it, but exactly what product are you using for adhesive ???


EDIT:.....I see it....3M.
That makes NO sense. That stuff could stick to about anything.

 

Everything I've ever glued with that 3M weatherstrip glue has been practically irremovable. Including my fingers

I'm pretty lost on this one...

 

I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread for the solution....got me stumped.

You're doing everything right. Even the mold release...

As a matter of fact, after work today I'm attaching my hood weatherstrip (up near the cowl).
Hope I don't have your problem !!!

 

I still gotta do that one too . Hopefully it goes easier than the doors.

I will try again later today/tomorrow, and post back with results.

EDIT: I just noticed the similarity between your profile pic and mine

 

oil film on the part... clean real good first with 99% isopropyl alcohol... reapply 3m

 

Did you clean off the old w/s cement before using the new? What air temperature are you working in?

 

 

I saw that too

 

Cleaned off the old glue with the 3M glue remover, and used denatured alcohol on the W/S. I still have a hood W/S I will try to put on later today, and I will use Isopropyl and try to clean it more carefully.

Easy Mike, you might be on to something. I had a tiny heater in the garage, but it was no warmer than 50 degrees when I put the door weatherstrips on. Could that have been the problem?

Thanks,

Kristoffer

 

I would have a hair dryer there as a little helper...

 

Be careful with hair dryers and open heaters in a closed environment with all the alcohol and solvents in the glue. Very flammable.

Sorry .... old retired Safety guy.

 

I just finished my last piece using crc from Wilcox last week...in a 50 degree garage doing everything you said with the exception that I used more than a thin film to adhere the strip to the door. I used a thicker bead and taped every 6 inches or so. Left the door open for about an hour before shutting it. My thick bead squeezed out a bit more than most perfectionists would prefer, but that stuff isn't falling off. Possibly residue from your adhesive remover? I used the citrus stuff and had to flush it quite a bit to get rid of the oily feeling it left behind.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to do a better job cleaning everything, and use a bit heavier bead on the next pieces. It should get a little warmer in the next day or two, so that should help.

I was able to clean up the W/S that fell off the car, and feel confident I can try to glue it again. The one that kind of stuck looks like crap, but it works. If I try to remove it, is it almost certain that I will ruin it in the process?

 

I have had the same problem with the fiberglass doors on my '34 streetrod for the last 5 years.....the only thing I haven't done is tape off the area and scuff the "strip" where the glue would be applied with some 180 grit sandpaper.

 

"Sorry"???

GOD BLESS YOU!

STAY ON OUR ***.

 

I've always used lacquer thinner or Acetone to clean the weather stripping from the release agent. I wouldn't think Alcohol would be strong enough to deep clean the surface enough. You need to wipe it down a few time's with a fresh paper towel to make sure your getting the agent completely off and just not smearing it. JMHO.

 

If MEK won't clean it, nothin' will.

 

As a rule, to rid all possible contaminants,several solvents must be used.
Organic plus inorganic. Begin with mild detergent with water. MEK next. Acetone as final rinse.

 

I've had luck with the YELLOW weatherstip adhesive from 3M. But my first thought was the doors were too cold or as stated above, needed longer cure time before closing the doors.