Weatherstrip quality question, opinions needed
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Weatherstrip quality question, opinions needed
I'm sure many of you C4 guys have encountered this as you replaced the weatherstripping in your Vettes, and would have opinions one way or the other.
Is it worth the extra money to buy the latex weatherstripping versus the EDPM weatherstripping from Ecklers.
The cost difference is not significant but I would hate to spend the extra bucks if it is not a real advantage.
If anyone knows, were the OEM parts one or the other of these materials or some other rubber variant?
Is it worth the extra money to buy the latex weatherstripping versus the EDPM weatherstripping from Ecklers.
The cost difference is not significant but I would hate to spend the extra bucks if it is not a real advantage.
If anyone knows, were the OEM parts one or the other of these materials or some other rubber variant?
#2
Team Owner
I don't know about OEM stuff. I bought mine from Wilcox to fix a leak. Well the leak got better since this stuff wasn't broken but until it was sealed right, it leaked a little. Since we had it done right, it is fine. I would recommend their stuff.
http://www.willcoxcorvette.com/
http://www.willcoxcorvette.com/
#3
Former Vendor
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here is the Sale Link for your weatherstrip kit. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26700
#4
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Here is the Sale Link for your weatherstrip kit. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26700
What materials are the Willcox weatherstrip products made from?
#5
Le Mans Master
All I can comment is that the OEM stuff is pure crapulance. I replaced mine a few years ago and it only took about a year and it was cracking already. This is a garage kept car.
Gooberment Motors should be embarrassed that they used such crapulance on their flag ship product. I have seen 30 year old junk yard cars with better weather stripping!
Gooberment Motors should be embarrassed that they used such crapulance on their flag ship product. I have seen 30 year old junk yard cars with better weather stripping!
#6
Safety Car
Thread Starter
All I can comment is that the OEM stuff is pure crapulance. I replaced mine a few years ago and it only took about a year and it was cracking already. This is a garage kept car.
Gooberment Motors should be embarrassed that they used such crapulance on their flag ship product. I have seen 30 year old junk yard cars with better weather stripping!
Gooberment Motors should be embarrassed that they used such crapulance on their flag ship product. I have seen 30 year old junk yard cars with better weather stripping!
#7
Burning Brakes
OEM is rubber. It seals better and is more malleable, but it dosn't last as long. If you have any seal problems, you position it where you want to and hit it with a heat gun for a little bit just to soften it up.
Latex is harder. It is a little tougher to get a perfect seal, but it will last a LOT longer.
Latex is harder. It is a little tougher to get a perfect seal, but it will last a LOT longer.
#8
Former Vendor
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The weatherstrips are Corvette Rubber Brand... its good stuff and the same stuff we install in our shop.
#9
Team Owner
And was a tight fit when I installed it. That was good so that it can squish down and seal well. I'd rather a little tighter than looser since our cars are already leak prone.
#10
Le Mans Master
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I was very impressed with stripping I saw by a Corvette restoration supplier; Keen Parts out of Cleves, OH (board sponsor as well). Any feedback on their stuff?? Price was right.
P.
P.
#12
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OEM is rubber. It seals better and is more malleable, but it dosn't last as long. If you have any seal problems, you position it where you want to and hit it with a heat gun for a little bit just to soften it up.
Latex is harder. It is a little tougher to get a perfect seal, but it will last a LOT longer.
Latex is harder. It is a little tougher to get a perfect seal, but it will last a LOT longer.
#13
Burning Brakes
#15
Le Mans Master
I understand that they are Corvette Rubber Brand, but what composition are they? The OP asked about latex or EDPM. Are these one of those materials?
#17
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Agreed
OEM weatherstrip is Latex, softer, seals better and lasts longer than the aftermarket weatherstrip which is generally made of rubber. The aftermarket rubber weatherstrip is a little more stiff and doesn't seal as well as the very expensive OEM latex. The aftermarket has just started supplying latex pieces but the jury is still out on them.
To the OP, there must be a hundred threads on weatherstrip replacement, SEARCH!
OEM weatherstrip is Latex, softer, seals better and lasts longer than the aftermarket weatherstrip which is generally made of rubber. The aftermarket rubber weatherstrip is a little more stiff and doesn't seal as well as the very expensive OEM latex. The aftermarket has just started supplying latex pieces but the jury is still out on them.
To the OP, there must be a hundred threads on weatherstrip replacement, SEARCH!
Thanks again to all who posted and gave there opinions, and those who stated factually based data
#19
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#20
Safety Car
Be very careful years back got some from ,I can't remember who from one of the big Corvette suppelyers and about a year latter looked worse than I took off. Don't know what kind to buy just keep asking ,maybe you'll find some good stuff ..The rubber that came on my 95 and 96 looks good so what ever that is must be the good suff..They do stay inside and I put lub on the rubber often..Good luck...