Convertible Top Seal
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Convertible Top Seal
Hey guys does anyone have any tricks or advice on installing the weather strip that goes at the back of the convertible top and seals it to the body when the top is up? I get it started but when I get to the curve it will not stay in the grove. I know you have to install the white plastic strip to lock it in place but that still does not keep it in around the curve. Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
Hey guys does anyone have any tricks or advice on installing the weather strip that goes at the back of the convertible top and seals it to the body when the top is up? I get it started but when I get to the curve it will not stay in the grove. I know you have to install the white plastic strip to lock it in place but that still does not keep it in around the curve. Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Tuck the cord into the weatherstrip and press the cord with the weatherstrip into the frame channel using a screwdriver blade.
Helps if you spray some WD40 or silicone into the grove first.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thanks all. I got it in I used WD 40 and put the white plastic strip in place as I moved along. You really have to press hard to get the seal into the inner channel all while being careful not to slip with the screwdriver and rip the top or the window.
Thanks for all the replies. Now onto the next project
Thanks for all the replies. Now onto the next project
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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
I've always used oil to install these... and I learned this trick from none other than Al Knoch in the late 70's... I watched his guys install a top at Bloomington.
You wipe oil in the groove with a thin rag, then wipe the weatherstrip (both sides) and then put it on the hold in cord.
Don't go crazy with it or you'll have a mess. This will allow the hold in cord and weatherstrip to seat when you do the installation. Before I used oil I would use soapy water, but it's much easier if you use oil. I suppose wd40 would work too, I've just always used regular oil. For me, after I get this installed I'll spray brake cleaner on a rag and wipe the rubber clean of any oil. This also insures you don't get the oil on the paint once the top is installed.
Willcox
https://willcoxcorvette.com/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/
You wipe oil in the groove with a thin rag, then wipe the weatherstrip (both sides) and then put it on the hold in cord.
Don't go crazy with it or you'll have a mess. This will allow the hold in cord and weatherstrip to seat when you do the installation. Before I used oil I would use soapy water, but it's much easier if you use oil. I suppose wd40 would work too, I've just always used regular oil. For me, after I get this installed I'll spray brake cleaner on a rag and wipe the rubber clean of any oil. This also insures you don't get the oil on the paint once the top is installed.
Willcox
https://willcoxcorvette.com/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Oct 10, 2018 at 12:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
I've always used oil to install these... and I learned this trick from none other than Al Knoch in the late 70's... I watched his guys install a top at Bloomington.
You wipe oil in the groove with a thin rag, then wipe the weatherstrip (both sides) and then put it on the hold in cord.
Don't go crazy with it or you'll have a mess. This will allow the hold in cord and weatherstrip to seat when you do the installation. Before I used oil I would use soapy water, but it's much easier if you use oil. I suppose wd40 would work too, I've just always used regular oil. For me, after I get this installed I'll spray brake cleaner on a rag and wipe the rubber clean of any oil. This also insures you don't get the oil on the paint once the top is installed.
Willcox
https://willcoxcorvette.com/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/
You wipe oil in the groove with a thin rag, then wipe the weatherstrip (both sides) and then put it on the hold in cord.
Don't go crazy with it or you'll have a mess. This will allow the hold in cord and weatherstrip to seat when you do the installation. Before I used oil I would use soapy water, but it's much easier if you use oil. I suppose wd40 would work too, I've just always used regular oil. For me, after I get this installed I'll spray brake cleaner on a rag and wipe the rubber clean of any oil. This also insures you don't get the oil on the paint once the top is installed.
Willcox
https://willcoxcorvette.com/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/
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
That tool is a good one, it's used to put screen's in screen doors... Another tool that works good to get the top beading of the top into the rear bow is a small staple puller. They generally have a bend to them and allow you to seat the top in the rear bow and then you can push it in place because of the bend.
Maybe Al changed to wd40 over the years but I was trained to use regular oil.... either would probably work just as good. Years ago we took a large flat blade screw driver and cut a U in the end of it for pushing in the hold in cord... it's kind of a 1 off, but it works great..
Willcox
Maybe Al changed to wd40 over the years but I was trained to use regular oil.... either would probably work just as good. Years ago we took a large flat blade screw driver and cut a U in the end of it for pushing in the hold in cord... it's kind of a 1 off, but it works great..
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Oct 10, 2018 at 08:24 PM.