Weather Stripping....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Weather Stripping....
Who has is the most reasonably priced complete weather stripping kits for my '89 Targa top?
Doors are leaking, and the rest looks shot too. Damn Covid has cost me dearly, as my employer cut my hours in half, and we're struggling to survive. I'd wait until I was in a better place financially if it wasn't leaking like a sieve. The strips above the doors re the worst part. I think when I yanked the doors open on day, they were frozen to the rubber (lesson learned).
Kerry
Doors are leaking, and the rest looks shot too. Damn Covid has cost me dearly, as my employer cut my hours in half, and we're struggling to survive. I'd wait until I was in a better place financially if it wasn't leaking like a sieve. The strips above the doors re the worst part. I think when I yanked the doors open on day, they were frozen to the rubber (lesson learned).
Kerry
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Who has is the most reasonably priced complete weather stripping kits for my '89 Targa top?
Doors are leaking, and the rest looks shot too. Damn Covid has cost me dearly, as my employer cut my hours in half, and we're struggling to survive. I'd wait until I was in a better place financially if it wasn't leaking like a sieve. The strips above the doors re the worst part. I think when I yanked the doors open on day, they were frozen to the rubber (lesson learned).
Kerry
Doors are leaking, and the rest looks shot too. Damn Covid has cost me dearly, as my employer cut my hours in half, and we're struggling to survive. I'd wait until I was in a better place financially if it wasn't leaking like a sieve. The strips above the doors re the worst part. I think when I yanked the doors open on day, they were frozen to the rubber (lesson learned).
Kerry
Wilcox have great weatherstrips, they often have specials pop up on our forum see link below.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...-89-coupe-sale
Cheers
Gerard
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
Forget who has the most reasonable, find me any brand at any price that the doors will shut without slamming. I installed ALL new weatherstrip months ago, and doors still close hard. I have lubed then and adjusted everything the best I could..windows aren't the problem, same with windows down, ( I used weatherstrip from the most preferred vendor listed here, I won't mention name), I have replaced dozens of weatherstrip in the past that was GM NOS and not had this problem (NOS is gone or rotten out of the package). I hope with summer heat coming, it will get better. If anyone has door tips I would like to hear. Back to your post, get the softest weatherstrip you can, the really soft stuff can't be made in the US due to laws and is imported , correct me if I am wrong. (90 coupe)
( I have a theory that the door panels have some tolerance front to back which I have tried to adjust...I may try that again if summer heat doesn't help - they are not terrible to close just to my OCD nerves)
( I have a theory that the door panels have some tolerance front to back which I have tried to adjust...I may try that again if summer heat doesn't help - they are not terrible to close just to my OCD nerves)
Last edited by corvette95; Jan 5, 2021 at 11:33 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 291
From: Farmington MO
The common wisdom on here is that CRC weatherstripping from Willcox is the ****. There was/ is sometimes on here a guy called Dub, who, as best I can tell is a working body man. He used to always say to use the USA made latex from Corvette Central. My own experience (therefore, direct knowledge) is limited. I have only replaced the hatch seal on mine. Another guy here, AudioObsessions, has a fairly recent thread.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 333
Likes: 86
From: Hope Mills, NC
The common wisdom on here is that CRC weatherstripping from Willcox is the ****. There was/ is sometimes on here a guy called Dub, who, as best I can tell is a working body man. He used to always say to use the USA made latex from Corvette Central. My own experience (therefore, direct knowledge) is limited. I have only replaced the hatch seal on mine. Another guy here, AudioObsessions, has a fairly recent thread.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...at-debate.html
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hi
My experience with the latex weatherstrips from corvette central was woefull, while it looks good and is soft it cracked up within months.
the replacement set they sent was the same, looked like 30 year old rodent eaten weatherstrips within a year. Put my old Willcox weatherstrips back on......
Wish we could get TOYOTA to make weatherstrips for corvettes, we know their stuff lasts decades is watertight while looking good as new.
licence to print money selling corvette weatherstrips, again and again and again over and over etc
My experience with the latex weatherstrips from corvette central was woefull, while it looks good and is soft it cracked up within months.
the replacement set they sent was the same, looked like 30 year old rodent eaten weatherstrips within a year. Put my old Willcox weatherstrips back on......
Wish we could get TOYOTA to make weatherstrips for corvettes, we know their stuff lasts decades is watertight while looking good as new.
licence to print money selling corvette weatherstrips, again and again and again over and over etc
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Hi
My experience with the latex weatherstrips from corvette central was woefull, while it looks good and is soft it cracked up within months.
the replacement set they sent was the same, looked like 30 year old rodent eaten weatherstrips within a year. Put my old Willcox weatherstrips back on......
Wish we could get TOYOTA to make weatherstrips for corvettes, we know their stuff lasts decades is watertight while looking good as new.
licence to print money selling corvette weatherstrips, again and again and again over and over etc
My experience with the latex weatherstrips from corvette central was woefull, while it looks good and is soft it cracked up within months.
the replacement set they sent was the same, looked like 30 year old rodent eaten weatherstrips within a year. Put my old Willcox weatherstrips back on......
Wish we could get TOYOTA to make weatherstrips for corvettes, we know their stuff lasts decades is watertight while looking good as new.
licence to print money selling corvette weatherstrips, again and again and again over and over etc
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
@KerryK Here is the link for my thread. Keep in mind this MY opinion. Too many people and a vendor on here got butthurt over this. This is based on my experience. Although I will say, getting the latex solved all of my issues. @car addict , thanks for the referrence!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...at-debate.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...at-debate.html
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Forget who has the most reasonable, find me any brand at any price that the doors will shut without slamming. I installed ALL new weatherstrip months ago, and doors still close hard. I have lubed then and adjusted everything the best I could..windows aren't the problem, same with windows down, ( I used weatherstrip from the most preferred vendor listed here, I won't mention name), I have replaced dozens of weatherstrip in the past that was GM NOS and not had this problem (NOS is gone or rotten out of the package). I hope with summer heat coming, it will get better. If anyone has door tips I would like to hear. Back to your post, get the softest weatherstrip you can, the really soft stuff can't be made in the US due to laws and is imported , correct me if I am wrong. (90 coupe)
( I have a theory that the door panels have some tolerance front to back which I have tried to adjust...I may try that again if summer heat doesn't help - they are not terrible to close just to my OCD nerves)
( I have a theory that the door panels have some tolerance front to back which I have tried to adjust...I may try that again if summer heat doesn't help - they are not terrible to close just to my OCD nerves)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
@KerryK Here is the link for my thread. Keep in mind this MY opinion. Too many people and a vendor on here got butthurt over this. This is based on my experience. Although I will say, getting the latex solved all of my issues. @car addict , thanks for the referrence!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...at-debate.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...at-debate.html
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 387
Likes: 148
From: Langton, Ontario, Canada
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Low-cost temporary fixes you could try.
To keep the weatherstrip from freezing to the window, try wiping it with white-lube to make it a bit softer and lubricate it.
Take some #14 electrical wire or soft vacuum tubing and slip it under the weatherstrip, between it and the body. Glue it in place with some weatherstrip cement if you need to. This pushes it out a little further and may possibly move the contacting surface to an unused portion of the weatherstrip, which may function a bit better for you.
No, this is not permanent, but it may get you through the COVID financial difficulties you're having. Feeding and housing your family is the most important thing right now and by doing this, you might be able to put the replacement off until later. Good luck!
To keep the weatherstrip from freezing to the window, try wiping it with white-lube to make it a bit softer and lubricate it.
Take some #14 electrical wire or soft vacuum tubing and slip it under the weatherstrip, between it and the body. Glue it in place with some weatherstrip cement if you need to. This pushes it out a little further and may possibly move the contacting surface to an unused portion of the weatherstrip, which may function a bit better for you.
No, this is not permanent, but it may get you through the COVID financial difficulties you're having. Feeding and housing your family is the most important thing right now and by doing this, you might be able to put the replacement off until later. Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
All this talk about issues with seals - not necessarily always from CRC/Willcox - failing to satisfy, because I've had nothing but excellent results with rubber from both sources. Well, as they say in Statistics class: "one example does not a trend make". But unless they've changed their formula or source(?), they'd be my goto source for rubber. (my last rubber job (IIRC) was a couple summers ago. But, this: I expected a slight amount of effort to close the doors, as the old rubber was no sealing and so I wasn't surprised when the new seals required more of a firm closing effort. They don't leak anymore, so they're working. Now after a year or so, the doors shut with a little less firmness required: not enough to be noticeably different from my newer Buick or F250.)
Onto maintenance for a moment: My first rubber job was in the mid 70s and some experiences were good and then not so good. Rubber is, I find, especially susceptible to direct sunlight and heat. (Duh!) They benefit from the proper (silicon base) dressings. e.g., "Tire Shine" on a cloth is but one fine example and WallyWorld carries several others too.
And, as long as you apply some a couple times in the summer driving season, there will be no issue with it freezing/sticking to the door jam - the silicon will act as a 'release agent", I find.
Onto maintenance for a moment: My first rubber job was in the mid 70s and some experiences were good and then not so good. Rubber is, I find, especially susceptible to direct sunlight and heat. (Duh!) They benefit from the proper (silicon base) dressings. e.g., "Tire Shine" on a cloth is but one fine example and WallyWorld carries several others too.
And, as long as you apply some a couple times in the summer driving season, there will be no issue with it freezing/sticking to the door jam - the silicon will act as a 'release agent", I find.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Low-cost temporary fixes you could try.
To keep the weatherstrip from freezing to the window, try wiping it with white-lube to make it a bit softer and lubricate it.
Take some #14 electrical wire or soft vacuum tubing and slip it under the weatherstrip, between it and the body. Glue it in place with some weatherstrip cement if you need to. This pushes it out a little further and may possibly move the contacting surface to an unused portion of the weatherstrip, which may function a bit better for you.
No, this is not permanent, but it may get you through the COVID financial difficulties you're having. Feeding and housing your family is the most important thing right now and by doing this, you might be able to put the replacement off until later. Good luck!
To keep the weatherstrip from freezing to the window, try wiping it with white-lube to make it a bit softer and lubricate it.
Take some #14 electrical wire or soft vacuum tubing and slip it under the weatherstrip, between it and the body. Glue it in place with some weatherstrip cement if you need to. This pushes it out a little further and may possibly move the contacting surface to an unused portion of the weatherstrip, which may function a bit better for you.
No, this is not permanent, but it may get you through the COVID financial difficulties you're having. Feeding and housing your family is the most important thing right now and by doing this, you might be able to put the replacement off until later. Good luck!
I got a kit from Contemporary Corvette here in Bristol, PA for like $270, and bought a set of inner & outer door sweeps for another $100.
A friend who has a 10 second car is installing everything for $100. (very good friend obviously *lol*).
These other tricks ("white-lube & such) should help maintain.
Thanks @LiveWire1.
Kerry
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Forget who has the most reasonable, find me any brand at any price that the doors will shut without slamming. I installed ALL new weatherstrip months ago, and doors still close hard. I have lubed then and adjusted everything the best I could..windows aren't the problem, same with windows down, ( I used weatherstrip from the most preferred vendor listed here, I won't mention name), I have replaced dozens of weatherstrip in the past that was GM NOS and not had this problem (NOS is gone or rotten out of the package). I hope with summer heat coming, it will get better. If anyone has door tips I would like to hear. Back to your post, get the softest weatherstrip you can, the really soft stuff can't be made in the US due to laws and is imported , correct me if I am wrong. (90 coupe)
( I have a theory that the door panels have some tolerance front to back which I have tried to adjust...I may try that again if summer heat doesn't help - they are not terrible to close just to my OCD nerves)
( I have a theory that the door panels have some tolerance front to back which I have tried to adjust...I may try that again if summer heat doesn't help - they are not terrible to close just to my OCD nerves)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
All this talk about issues with seals - not necessarily always from CRC/Willcox - failing to satisfy, because I've had nothing but excellent results with rubber from both sources. Well, as they say in Statistics class: "one example does not a trend make". But unless they've changed their formula or source(?), they'd be my goto source for rubber. (my last rubber job (IIRC) was a couple summers ago. But, this: I expected a slight amount of effort to close the doors, as the old rubber was no sealing and so I wasn't surprised when the new seals required more of a firm closing effort. They don't leak anymore, so they're working. Now after a year or so, the doors shut with a little less firmness required: not enough to be noticeably different from my newer Buick or F250.)
Onto maintenance for a moment: My first rubber job was in the mid 70s and some experiences were good and then not so good. Rubber is, I find, especially susceptible to direct sunlight and heat. (Duh!) They benefit from the proper (silicon base) dressings. e.g., "Tire Shine" on a cloth is but one fine example and WallyWorld carries several others too.
And, as long as you apply some a couple times in the summer driving season, there will be no issue with it freezing/sticking to the door jam - the silicon will act as a 'release agent", I find.
Onto maintenance for a moment: My first rubber job was in the mid 70s and some experiences were good and then not so good. Rubber is, I find, especially susceptible to direct sunlight and heat. (Duh!) They benefit from the proper (silicon base) dressings. e.g., "Tire Shine" on a cloth is but one fine example and WallyWorld carries several others too.
And, as long as you apply some a couple times in the summer driving season, there will be no issue with it freezing/sticking to the door jam - the silicon will act as a 'release agent", I find.