Weather Strip Replacement - Need Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: Nevada Missouri
Weather Strip Replacement - Need Help
I will replace the door weather strips on my 86 coupe. Would like to know what all is involved in the replacement. Step by step instructions would be great. I tried several searches on the subject but no help.
Thanks in advance...
Thanks in advance...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
After I did all that, I looked in my FSM (I should of done that in the first place) and it has complete how to instructions. Do you have these manuals for your specific car year? If so, just look up weatherstripping install, and it gives you step by step instructions.
If you do not have these, they are available from many sources, but I bought mine on EBay when I first purchased the car and they have been invaluable for instructions and trouble shooting.
Laura
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: Nevada Missouri
I tried a search on here to no avail, then I tried to google it, and not enough specifics other then the rear hatch installation.
After I did all that, I looked in my FSM (I should of done that in the first place) and it has complete how to instructions. Do you have these manuals for your specific car year? If so, just look up weatherstripping install, and it gives you step by step instructions.
If you do not have these, they are available from many sources, but I bought mine on EBay when I first purchased the car and they have been invaluable for instructions and trouble shooting.
Laura
After I did all that, I looked in my FSM (I should of done that in the first place) and it has complete how to instructions. Do you have these manuals for your specific car year? If so, just look up weatherstripping install, and it gives you step by step instructions.
If you do not have these, they are available from many sources, but I bought mine on EBay when I first purchased the car and they have been invaluable for instructions and trouble shooting.
Laura
Thanks again...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Have you actually purchased the weatherstripping for your car yet?
I need to do mine as well, and I was just checking and for my year, Wilcox has a deal for forum members for the complete set for $388.00.
It includes all that I need to do mine. I just wrote them an email asking if I needed to be a paying member or not to get this deal, but that is a good buy, and their products are excellent.
Laura
I need to do mine as well, and I was just checking and for my year, Wilcox has a deal for forum members for the complete set for $388.00.
It includes all that I need to do mine. I just wrote them an email asking if I needed to be a paying member or not to get this deal, but that is a good buy, and their products are excellent.
Laura
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: Nevada Missouri
Have you actually purchased the weatherstripping for your car yet?
I need to do mine as well, and I was just checking and for my year, Wilcox has a deal for forum members for the complete set for $388.00.
It includes all that I need to do mine. I just wrote them an email asking if I needed to be a paying member or not to get this deal, but that is a good buy, and their products are excellent.
Laura
I need to do mine as well, and I was just checking and for my year, Wilcox has a deal for forum members for the complete set for $388.00.
It includes all that I need to do mine. I just wrote them an email asking if I needed to be a paying member or not to get this deal, but that is a good buy, and their products are excellent.
Laura
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
I bought mine from Willcox and I installed it myself. I was worried and nervous to do it like you are now but honestly I was worried for no reason. Just clean the retainers that they go in with bug/tar/adhesive remover, make sure it looks like new. reinstalled the retainers and just install the new weather stripping back in the retainers. You can even use a ice cream popstick to help you push the rubber in the retainer. I did not use any glue because the weather stripping fit very snug on the retainer. The hardest part was the rear hatch rubber because you have to remove the rods that hold the glass which is kinda simple once you do it. Just pop the clips out and pull out the rod then do same with the other one. Have a friend hold the glass up while you put the rubber back then put the rods back. That is it I was done. Don't pay no one to do it. It is easy. Here are some after pics.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I bought mine from Willcox and I installed it myself. I was worried and nervous to do it like you are now but honestly I was worried for no reason. Just clean the retainers that they go in with bug/tar/adhesive remover, make sure it looks like new. reinstalled the retainers and just install the new weather stripping back in the retainers. You can even use a ice cream popstick to help you push the rubber in the retainer. I did not use any glue because the weather stripping fit very snug on the retainer. The hardest part was the rear hatch rubber because you have to remove the rods that hold the glass which is kinda simple once you do it. Just pop the clips out and pull out the rod then do same with the other one. Have a friend hold the glass up while you put the rubber back then put the rods back. That is it I was done. Don't pay no one to do it. It is easy. Here are some after pics.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
I cleaned it very well but I did not put any sealant on the back of it. Do you really think it is necessary. There was no sealant on the back side when i removed the old retainers.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Heres another Corvette Fever article I found. They used Armacell insulating wrap from Home Depot cut to fit:
"22: GM used closed-cell foam to seal the weatherstrip retainers to the convertible-top frame which we found difficult to source. Home Depot has a roll of a very similar product called Armacell insulating wrap. This product allows you to cut it to fit, and it provides the same type seal with an adhesive backing as the original product."
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart.../photo_23.html
You will probably have water leaks with no sealant on the back of the retainers. Go out and use the shower setting on your water hose. And run it up and down the A pillar for a while on both side. Look inbetween the A pillar trim and weatherstripping to see if you see water leaking in past the retainer.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,291
Likes: 2,361
From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
Heres another Corvette Fever article I found. They used Armacell insulating wrap from Home Depot cut to fit:
"22: GM used closed-cell foam to seal the weatherstrip retainers to the convertible-top frame which we found difficult to source. Home Depot has a roll of a very similar product called Armacell insulating wrap. This product allows you to cut it to fit, and it provides the same type seal with an adhesive backing as the original product."
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart.../photo_23.html
"22: GM used closed-cell foam to seal the weatherstrip retainers to the convertible-top frame which we found difficult to source. Home Depot has a roll of a very similar product called Armacell insulating wrap. This product allows you to cut it to fit, and it provides the same type seal with an adhesive backing as the original product."
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart.../photo_23.html
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
Yes, it is needed. Was there foam tape on the back? That is what came on them from the factory. When you buy new retainers, they come with the foam tape on them. But if you reuse the old retainers, you have to clean up the old foam tape. And put a sealant on the backside. I believe in a Corvette Fever article, they put strip caulk on the back of the retainers when they did the weatherstripping on a C3. I've also heard of people using 3M molding tape that you can get from Autozone. I think 7/8" wide.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I'd also spray water on the backside just to make sure water doesn't get past the retainers on the hatch side.
Last edited by samsonb; Mar 21, 2010 at 10:36 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Independence Kentucky
I replaced my weatherstriping last October and it was pretty easy. It's a do-it-yourself job.
Here's some links for help from other posts:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ping-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ions-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tall-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tion-help.html
Here's some links for help from other posts:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ping-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ions-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tall-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tion-help.html
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Plus for those who have someone else do it, you would save money on labor for the other guy to clean the retainers.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
You might could just try soaking it with a water hose for a while to see if it leaks first. I'm betting it will. As alot of people have found out afterwards when they get their weatherstripping replaced that they still get water leaking in. Whether because they bent the retainers, or because they didn't properly clean up and reseal the backside of the retainers.
I'd also spray water on the backside just to make sure water doesn't get past the retainers on the hatch side.
I'd also spray water on the backside just to make sure water doesn't get past the retainers on the hatch side.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I replaced my weatherstriping last October and it was pretty easy. It's a do-it-yourself job.
Here's some links for help from other posts:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ping-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ions-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tall-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tion-help.html
Here's some links for help from other posts:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ping-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ions-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tall-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tion-help.html
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Wentzville MO
OK, now let's ask the important question...
OEM seal kits cost $1100-1200, but places like Willcox has a set for $385 (for my 1991). I know GM OEM parts are notoriously high, but c'mon now, there just has to be a significant difference in quality, right?
I have seen some of the threads that say not to waste your time with anything but OEM seals, but if I can get reasonably close to OEM quality and performance, why not?
OEM seal kits cost $1100-1200, but places like Willcox has a set for $385 (for my 1991). I know GM OEM parts are notoriously high, but c'mon now, there just has to be a significant difference in quality, right?
I have seen some of the threads that say not to waste your time with anything but OEM seals, but if I can get reasonably close to OEM quality and performance, why not?