Barrier

I need a new Weatherstrip for the Windshield top and "A"pillars on my 1993 Convertible.
There are too many choices. OEM, EDPM, Rubber,Latex, Improved Latex maybe even Silicone.Imported or Domestic. This is aside from the various sellers.
Does anyone have real experience with this? I suppose time frame would be important as well since a 10 year purchase would not reflect present availability.
I thought this would be an easy choice, price sometimes is a determinate but the difference in price seems to be over $100. Even the usual suppliers cannot agree.
HELP!
Barrier

PatternDayTrader

I like oem stuff. Not sure what is and what isn't available though.

Barrier

Thanks for the reply!
I have heard that there is no more available from GM. All the descriptions say "OEM Quality", or design I don't know what that even means. GM OEM for other parts means made in China, not that that is bad but I don't want to go thru this and have to do it again and again. I have heard of good quality one time and second different supplier and poor or no quality.
In the scope of things this is not a major problem. Just a small pain.
Barrier

vette196

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...arnmoreid=5594

This is where I bought my weatherstripping...get the "made in the USA"

seu318

A second vote for Corvette America's WS. I used it on my '91 coupe. Was very impressed and it has held up well, though its only been on for just over a year and a half. I have yet to do the hatch area though.

81c3

In my opinion, in regards to weatherstripping I will always look for NOS. Its the best fitting and highest quality. Otherwise, OEM isnt bad. As mentioned, try to find USA products.....

vette196

I could kick myself for not doing the rear hatch, but IIRC....the total was adding up ($500+) and I held off.

aklim

Is NOS going to be that good after all the years? Sure, if they stopped making them last year, no problem. OTOH, if the last set was made 20 years ago, well......

Another issue I have is that there might be a supplier that sells it to different vendors so unless they are made to different spec, what's the difference? I suppose we can try SteeleRubber but IDK how good they are. I know they are much more expensive and before I shell the money ($780) vs ($529), I'd be curious to see if it is something that will work better, in which case, I'd be willing to pay more or it is something someone is reselling.

PatternDayTrader

Are you serious ? Is this component really that expensive ?

aklim

https://www.steelerubber.com/body-we...kit-90-3295-90 $779.30

https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...96-coupe-26687 $529.00

I wouldn't care which one I bought as long as it was the better of the two. That ($230.30) could be the price difference that scares enough people away that we can't get enough of a sample size to see how it holds up over time. Nothing would **** me off more than having to go back in again in 2 or 3 years to redo.

81c3

I have had no issues with NOS for my outer window belt moldings/window sweeps..... Same with door seals for my sons 95 when he had it. So long as its in the GM packaging, there was no problem for me.

aklim

When you got them, how old were they?

81c3

Belt moldings about 3 months ago... they were pliable and fit perfectly. The door seals.... probably 5 years or so for the 95.... When stored properly I don't think there is an issue...

PatternDayTrader

Oh ok.
I thought it was just for the back window. I was about blow another gasket since in the thread that Renfield started back in 2016, the Wilcox people (or person) admitted that the reproductions don't fit right. The 529 number is probably worth it even though the back glass strip fitment sucks.

aklim

Perhaps but if the other one has it all fitting, it would be worth the extra $230 so you don't have to do it again

PatternDayTrader

Yes it would.

Gibbles

One thing i learned, buy a kit.
Dont buy piece by piece.
I bought what i needed when i found a killer price, and i had some issues with fitment.
I also used "metro" brand.

I hate my seals!
Way too stiff, seals great, but even after two years, i can't roll my windows up with out opening my doors, or unless i bring my windows up in increments.
up till it stops, down a little, then up a little more...
I hate it!!
the tightness also makes it so i need to slam my doors to get them to close.
​​​​​​​With the original seals it was a very light close with a nice soft "click".

There might be some window adjustments i'm missing, however on my driver side i upgraded to the later power windows thinking i needed more power, but there was very little improvement...

I'm thinking about trying the Willcox brand after i paint the car...

PatternDayTrader

Yeah dang, I'm thinking you have some window adjustments to make.

aklim

Question is who else gets "Metro", isn't it? If it comes from a different vendor who got it from "Metro", well, you see the problem.

Gibbles

That's a good point, who uses metro as their supplier?
in the end i probably need to open the door up and play with the adjustments for a few more hours.
Probably better now that they have had some time to soften.

The biggest issue i had was with the lower door seal, tons of trimming to make the a pillar and ths lower seal play well together.
super hard rubber there.
I have noidea what they were thinking, original seal was soft foam in that location.

One positive thing, the rear hatch seal has not yet split in the corner. 😉