LannyL81

What is the "trick" to keep the hatch weatherstrip or seal corners from tearing-out? I have replaced the one on the 96 twice and one corner is torn; on the '95 have only replaced once, but both corners are currently torn.

So what is the trick, secret, etc....?????

PLRX

Apply a heavy coat of dielectric grease on the WS and the glass.

I rarely open that thing anyways and its been there for three (95) and two years (96).

If you order and receive it, ensure it is new and not already detaching. If it is detached, call the customer service and demand a new one. Do not settle with "use super glue" with them. Super Glue or WS glue will not fix it.

mike100

If you just want functional and don't need the oem look then you can just pull the pieces together as close as you can and fill the entire corner with the higher quality RTV like permatex ultra-black, the righstuff, or similar.

then take a saran wrap coated with mold release or silicone spray and cover (lubed side on the glue so it can be peeled off later), then slam the hatch down on it and wait over night. you have to do one side at a time so it will take 2 days.





the other side:

samsonb

Other than splitting. The other problem I had is the weatherstripping coming up a little short and not fitting all the way into the corner of the channel. To where there is a big gap left in the corner of the channel as the corner of the weatherstripping is shorter than where the corner of the glass sits.

c4speed

My one from the factory split in the corners 2 years ago, I used Super Glue ( the brush on type) and it still holding fine. It beats dealing with all the problems of a replacement, there seems to be more problems with the hatch than any of the other replacement weather stripping. I hace done A's & B's and targa sides with out any issues.

Goldcylon

There is no trick. Its just a matter of time before they tear. My recommendation is to use willcox rear hatch weatherstrippign with the reinforced corners. When they start the tear on the top side that mates the glass fill em in with black RTV. I been through three sets of Rear hatch replacements on two cars already. GC

LannyL81

I open the hatch twice a day, in the morning to get the car cover out; in the evening to put the car cover back in.

I never though of using black RTV...I have tried the WS adhesive, but it did not hold for long. I am going to use black RTV method. I want the seal, not the OEM look.

And this hatch seal is from Wilcox and has the reinforced corners.

Tube of RTV is alot cheaper than another hatch seal.

Thanks for the suggestion....

Steve59

I super glued them when they were new, as a reinforcement, then greased the corners with dielectric grease. Close the hatch slowly.

Wathen1955

That is what Wilcox told me to do also - superglue them.

vittal

Hi.

I had a similar problem with the weatherstripping tearing at the corners.

I used something that glass installation guys use called Sika 11FC I don't know if you guys there have got the same thing. But it's black and rubbery type thing and it seems to work out quite well.

The weatherstripping before


And after fixing


Seems to be holding for now.

Best of luck.

Bye

JrRifleCoach

I've posted this many times.

Pick a nice sunny day to install your new seal.
Cleanup the glass and seal lip/mount
Find the center of the seal at the halo and rear latch and use these as your starting points.
Work the seal on from the centers until the corners are tucked in and seated.
Coat the seal & window with your favorite rubber treatment.
Then carefully close the hatch making sure the corners are not being grabbed by the window.
Use extra rubber treatment as necessary.
Once closed, park the car in the sun for the day.

You may have to readjust the hatch lock to compensate for the new/thicker gasket.

I installed mine years ago and have not had one problem since.

crzydrumer14

thats my fix too. ha

LannyL81

I tried the blact RTV "fix" and appears to have worked really good. Have only done one side, will do the other side now.

I normally wipe on silicon on all seals about once a month...but the corners still tore-out. But like I said I open and close the hatch twice a day.

Thanks again for the "fix"....

Joe B.

My O.E. strip separated at the corner on both sides.
I folded a pipe cleaner in thirds and bent it in an L shape.
Inserted in the hollow of the ws along with some RTV.
I wedged the mitre together with some shims between the body and the ws, wiped off the excess,
laid a piece of saran wrap over the joint
and closed the glass almost all the way until it cured.
So far so good.

Goldcylon

Anytime

dayle97se

I like this idea (pipe cleaner reinforcement + RTV from the inside of the WS). Its been 5 years since you posted this. How is it holding up? My 6-month old Willcox hatch WS just split at one corner. They're sending me a new one (1 time only they say). I'd like to preventively reinforce the corners of the new WS.

kenmohr

They are cut wrong. Purchased mine from http://www.steelerubber.com/ years ago and they are still fine.

0Willcox Corvette

We do this for C4 customers when they bring their cars in the shop as a complimentary service. It's quick and easy to do and they love it.

You should use Super Glue Gel and not the runny stuff. If you take your time and apply it in small amounts you can close the crack up quick and easy. We put tape on the edges to prevent the glue from getting on the outer portion of the rubber.

I know... we've been flamed over these weatherstrips but we've tried almost every brand there is on the market place and why they don't use the same glue I have no idea. I've lobbied for it to no avail...

Willcox

kenmohr

No one should be blaming Willcox. You sell them not make them. Try to tell your suppliers they are cut wrong. There are two angles to the corner and by cutting a straight 45* they are creating mega stress on the outer edge. I have delt with you and have no complaints. You are a good supplier and have done well by me.

Joe C

FWIW, I have repaired the corners on C4 rear hatch weather strip with black gel, super-glue. worked good, held up good, and no issues.