How do the outer side window seals remove and can it be done with the glass in?

 

Yes you can replace them with the glass in. Precision Replacement Parts has a good video on YouTube on how to replace the inner and outer door weatherstripping.
Use this link: or just search C4 Corvette Belt Line weatherstrip replacement.

 

That video is for 90-96. Is 84-89 similar?

 

Mine’s a 90 so I did both sides using their video. Only because the video is specific to 90-96 I think it might be safe to presume there may be some differences in removal and installation on the earlier years but I can’t say for sure.

 

I did my '89 and the video was right on. Took a couple of hours for the first side, less for the second (experience). Hardest part for me was fishing the debris from the drilled out rivets out of the door scuppers. I eventually bent a vacuum nozzle and used my shop vac. Just take your time and it should go fine.

 

He is absolutely right about the earlier Corvettes as well. I did mine and the hardest and longest job was cleaning the surface to prepare it for the new Contact cement they use to hold the seals in with. It is kind of like painting because 90% of the work will be in preparation. Be sure to have extra cement on hand when you do the project as well as the cement remover for the old stuff. Cleanliness is vital... I also only used the RED tube of weatherstripping cement when I did mine, it works well as it is a type of Contact cement. You apply it to both surfaces and then let them start to dry, then you install the seal and hold it in place. Sometimes a bit of tape can be handy holding the seals in place but the glue does dry quickly.

Just make sure to buy the best weather stripping you can afford. The extra cost will keep you from doing it again in 15 years. I bought cheap and am paying twice for the gaskets since my first ones are worn out. Next time it will be the Latex seals and not the cheaper ones. Having 2 Corvettes means you get lots of practice. I learned on my C3 and it has a Hard top to boot and the seal kits are extremely expensive for just the C3 Convertible and the hard top. After doing my C4 the doors were so sealed that they were harder to close the first pull. I lubricated them with some Silicone oil and they got much more supple.

One hot day I closed the door and the roof panel Popped UP a few inches. Another place where someone did not glue or prep the panel properly, I am glad it did not come off while driving on the highway as that could be ugly and potentially hurt someone.

 

What about the thingys that rub up against the glass so the glass doesnt get all scratched up like what happened to mine. I guess in the end it doesnt matter because I should get new glass at this point. But saying I could live with the scratches that are there now, can those little glass guide things be done without removing? Or do the wipers do it? I thought this is what does it?

https://www.zip-corvette.com/69-96-d...le-bumper.html

 

a lot of DIY vids on YouTube.. my question is: I have none of the fancy tools to do the job. Since I’d have to shell out money for tools and supplies, would it better just to pay someone to do it?

Anyone have a ballpark figure for these services if taken to a professional? Weather strips and window felts/seals?