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Three years ago when I got my Collectors Edition the first thing I did was fix the hatch. Part of that project was replacing the old weather-stripping. Probably should not have picked that project to be my first attempt at installing weather-stripping (They made it look so easy on "All Girls Garage"!) I did an ugly job but it stuck and only leaked a little... Now three years later it's coming apart. I had difficulty with the corners since they wanted to pull in and it took me many attempts to get it to stick hence all the dried goo you see.
Since this replacement weather-strip keeps pulling in at the corners, could it have been be too small? Three of the four corners are now separated. I tried to use painters tape to hold the strip in place temporarily but the tape is not strong enough to hold in place and that's after three years of being glued in place.
Anyone ever replace the CE weatherstripping? Any advice you can offer? This was easily the most frustrating car repair I've ever encountered and looks like I get to do it again. I just finished rebuilding my trailing arms. I am not going to let a strip of rubber beat me!
While I can't comment on whether the repro W/S shrinks over time...I will mention prep and glue.
1. Chevy used yellow trim adhesive for weatherstrip. I use the 3M brand. (amazon...easy)
2. Cleaning the weatherstrip with lacquer thinner WAS probably required....see, they use 'mold release' on the EPDM so the part doesn't stick to the mold when stripping the mold....I surmise this was your 'Gotcha'. (it's not re-cleaned before it goes in the box.)
3. I can see the glue stayed on the decklid groove, so you cleaned that up pretty well.
There is a shred of silver lining here....Clean all the old glue off. Clean the W/S really well. and do it again.
Thanks @L-46man . I did a quick clean of the weatherstrip with brake clean but that may have not been enough. Like you said it, it wasn't sticking that well to the rubber most of the time and the parts of the weatherstrip that came up have no glue on them.
Oh and also thanks for your old write ups on adjusting the hatch. Having a hatch that rises up perfectly every time was a big win for me!
The glue is a contact adhesive. The way I like to use it is to work in small sections. Put the glue on the car then press the (cleaned) weatherstrip on to the glue and pull it away for a minute or so. The glue needs to dry and tack up a bit, then you press it back exactly where you want it. It will stick in place and you can't remove it. Blue tape it in place and close the window overnight. Take the tape off the next day.
CE Hatch Weather-strip
I just finished rebuilding my trailing arms. I am not going to let a strip of rubber beat me!
