Weatherstrip Install Help Needed
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: SUN Diego CA
Weatherstrip Install Help Needed
Newbie here needing help!
I ordered weatherstrip for the t-tops on my '82 from Corvette Central and totally screwed-up the installation. The fit is poor and I had a really hard time getting the glue to hold the rubber in place.
Does anyone have any personal experience tips they'd like to share?
I haven't fouled-up this bad in a long time & am beyond disgusted...
I ordered weatherstrip for the t-tops on my '82 from Corvette Central and totally screwed-up the installation. The fit is poor and I had a really hard time getting the glue to hold the rubber in place.
Does anyone have any personal experience tips they'd like to share?
I haven't fouled-up this bad in a long time & am beyond disgusted...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Well, don't know what you did, but lets get a little info.
What manuf seals did you get? Mine were Blue Seal I beleive, good stuff
What adheasive did you use? SHould have been 3M Super Weatherstrip Adheasive
After removing the old seals, did you clean the area with Lacquer thinner or some other cleaner?
Mine went on with no real problems, a little struggle as they stretch a bit but came out looking like they should and do not leak.
What manuf seals did you get? Mine were Blue Seal I beleive, good stuff
What adheasive did you use? SHould have been 3M Super Weatherstrip Adheasive
After removing the old seals, did you clean the area with Lacquer thinner or some other cleaner?
Mine went on with no real problems, a little struggle as they stretch a bit but came out looking like they should and do not leak.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: SUN Diego CA
I bought the 3M General Purpose Cleaner & Adhesive (yellow).
Removed all of the old w/s & applied the cleaner three times just to make sure I got all the old off.
Used black mat touch-up spray paint on parts of the t-top to cover scratches on the "headliner" (mostly around the hinge).
Let everything set for about 2.5 hours.
Test fit the new w/s before applying. It did need to be stretched to some degree, but nothing that would indicate a problem.
When I started the install, I began with installing the side with the four screws. When I hit the first corner, that's when things started to turn bad. The plastic pins wouldn't hold in the corners, and the w/s would keep pulling up. I tried to use c-clamps, but was afraid to crank them down too much for fear of breaking the glass. Tried masking tape to hold sections but that failed also.
Basically, it looks like a total mess.
Removed all of the old w/s & applied the cleaner three times just to make sure I got all the old off.
Used black mat touch-up spray paint on parts of the t-top to cover scratches on the "headliner" (mostly around the hinge).
Let everything set for about 2.5 hours.
Test fit the new w/s before applying. It did need to be stretched to some degree, but nothing that would indicate a problem.
When I started the install, I began with installing the side with the four screws. When I hit the first corner, that's when things started to turn bad. The plastic pins wouldn't hold in the corners, and the w/s would keep pulling up. I tried to use c-clamps, but was afraid to crank them down too much for fear of breaking the glass. Tried masking tape to hold sections but that failed also.
Basically, it looks like a total mess.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 5
He who tries and fails is a wiser man than he who fails to try... Keep after it, you'll get it. My 2 cents.... Don't try to glue the weatherstrip to fresh paint, it will will just release and you will have a mess. Mask off and paint after the weatherstrip is installed.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: SUN Diego CA
The only thing that I can think of is the amount of adhesive that I used...
I put a "bead" on the t-top and then tried to place the w/s. Did I user too much adhesive?
Should it be spread sparingly?
I put a "bead" on the t-top and then tried to place the w/s. Did I user too much adhesive?
Should it be spread sparingly?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
yea, sparingly is good, the yellow stuff is slippery as snot, I can't remember but it may say something about putting adheasive on and let set for a few? But its the same stuff I used with no probs.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 5
Read the instructions! "...throughly clean all surfaces... Apply a thin coat of adhesive to both surfaces. Allow to dry. Apply a second thin coat of adhesive to sections of weatherstrip not over 3 feet long and bond immediately..."
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