Did most of you guys have to change the weather stripping on the car... like doars and contour of the winshield (those of you with convertibles) and other weather stripping arroung the car.

Seems that I have to change almost every single peace... and damn! there not cheep.

 

I have had to replace the windshield header strip, targa top side strips and rear window weatherstripping. I found the best prices at http://www.corvette-rubber.com. They make a lot of the weather stripping for GM.
:cheers:

 

Also check The Last Detail, their prices are very good also.
http://www.tld-corvette.com/

I just receive a bezel plate for the radio/information center from them. They were the only ones who had one, and I checked a whole lot of different places. Got it within a week of ordering.

 

Me too!. I think C4 weather stripping is junk compared to say European cars for example. I dont know what GM was thinking of. A more durable material should have been fitted. Other manufacturers seem to manage OK! I love my vette, but for a 'world class car' The weather stripping is pathetic. Maybe it was a ploy to make money on parts sales. Fit weather stripping to last just long enough for the warranty period and then charge the earth for replacements. :mad

 

I just bought a new top for mine and also the stripping "it is crap" I still need to buy the winshield stripping , doors and deck lid..... frickin blows. :cuss

 

I had great customer service from corvette-rubber.

 

:mad YES !! :mad

And I assure you, it's not just limited to convertibles! ALL of the rubbers could do with replacement on my 85 Coupe! And if you think rubbers are expensive in Canada; try buying them here in Australia!!!

Myself and a mate imported 2 from TX and with OZ customs duty (Unexpected) on top of the company using UPS instead of normal post (Another unexpected cost!!) the full price (for 2 rear hatch seals) came to around AU$580 !!! AND I'm not sure that they're genuine or aftermarket!

MIND YOU; they fit well and there are NO leaks anymore at the rear.

As for other rubbers, both myself and passengers get nicely wet when it rains as door seals are SHOT! - they are hard and brittle with jagged edges that look like crap on a vette...I'm going to have to find a similar rubber if I can to replace at least the outer door seals with, even if they don't quite look exactly the same as originals.

YES; other manufacturers DO make a better product, lifespan wise - my other car is a FO*D, only 3 yrs younger and ALL rubbers on it are STILL in near perfect condition (So much so that I keep looking enviously at the door seal rubbers and fantasizing about going to the local dealer and buying some of theirs and trimming to suit!) - We have NO Chev dealers as such here in OZ.

:grouphug:


[Modified by smacko, 12:55 PM 9/13/2003]

 

I changed the weather stripping rubber arround the windshield "I have a convertible" any one here willing to guess aobut how much? come on? anyone?


400$ for 1 peace of rubber... ok ok 380$
I know I live in Canada but this is honnestly rediculas

maybe I should start my own after market Covette rubber company and get rich. :)

I only have 4 peaces left to change, the two inner doars and inner side dash ones.

I figure another 200 to 300$ then I'll be done.

 

AND the rest! Or else, YES; start your own company and quote me on the 4 seals delivered to Australia! :)

FUNNY how the seals that SHOULD get ratty first, always seem to stay in good condition! - I'm talking about the engine bay seals that separate the wheel wells from engine; they're exposed to engine heat and the elements yet don't seem to suffer the same premature failure of the higher up ones...Must be a different compound :confused:

Anyway, am ready to place my order!

 

AND the rest! Or else, YES; start your own company and quote me on the 4 seals delivered to Australia! :)

FUNNY how the seals that SHOULD get ratty first, always seem to stay in good condition! - I'm talking about the engine bay seals that separate the wheel wells from engine; they're exposed to engine heat and the elements yet don't seem to suffer the same premature failure of the higher up ones...Must be a different compound :confused:

Anyway, am ready to place my order! :p:

 

i had to change all weather stripping on 87 convert. Total cost was about 1600.00 Ca...then one year later had to change out the rear side window pillar again..this time gm paid for them ...next year they will pay again..the F&^)*(&(&N rubber is no dam good.. !!!!

 

My guess is that the weather sripping that is exposed to air/wather/sun really gets damaged over time and especialy the ones that are under frequent stress... like the door weather stripping.

I'm honneslty wondering if Armor all or some type of silicone protectant that we apply on the inside of the car and the wheel would be good for the weather stripping.. maybe it would make it last longer ??

 

Use BUM grease or silicone grease. That's how to keep it moist and supple for LIFE! :thumbs:

 

In all honesty from what I've heard from car detailers etc, 'ARMOUR-ALL' is NOT good for dashes etc (Nor I assume is it for weatherseals, although in CF magazine I saw an article that says they apply it when they fit new seals); What I've heard is that Armourall protects the outside of the surface but doesn't penetrate to the inside, so it can cause premature cracking due to this factor... :nono:

 

Yeah I've heard that story before.. about the armor all magnifying the sun into the dash and eventualy making it crack... BUT

you have to admit a car with armor all on the dash and wheels and even the weather stripping looks great!

I guess applying it once a month can't be to bad, but ?? the question still remains.

What about our weather striping?
Is silicone based greese really good for this? I would think it would make a really big mess all over the place.

Hmmmm maybe I should just start putting Vaseline on my weather stripping hahaha

:lol:


[Modified by TheStef, 6:56 AM 9/17/2003]

 

Well, from what I've heard Armourall isn't that good to apply at any time.
Thousands would disagree I'm sure, but thats the rumour file and backed by pro detailers as I mentioned. Maguire's make excellant products and I use them EXCLUSIVELY on my Vette AND HArley (And NO, I DON'T work 4 them nor am I sponsored by them (But would be willing to if there are any Maguires reps on the forum!!)) Other companies make good stuff too...

OK I digress (Should start a new posting about car care products (But it's prob already there somewhere) ;

Back to silicone grease; I've 'heard' (again) that it IS good for seals, although I haven't tried it yet.

Vaseline; I remember as a kid, reading in a British car (yuk) mag that it is very good for preserving fabric convertable tops (YUK!!) :U As for rubber seals tho; It's petrolium based which is NO good for rubber - haven't you ever READ the condom leaflets!?!?! :crazy:

 

Thsi has been discussed here before. The product to get is GUMMIFLUGE (SP?). It is sold at BMW dealerships. It comes in a metal tube with a foam applicator. This stuff is fantastic for weatherstripping.

Why is it that BMW sells such good products for the Vette and Chevy is clueless about them???? (Castol TWS, gummifluge....).

Honestly, I think that the Chevy dealerships are either clueless or just don't care.

 

...I don't think Chev dealerships are clueless! :lol:

So that leaves one option! Hey, we don't HAVE ANY here in OZ to really know; but hey ~ Since we DO have General Motors (Holden) you'd THINK they could get corvette parts for me from the PARENT company (Answer=NO they CAN'T), so we get back to the second option being the correct answer!
:skep:

 

What's really tripped out is the O.E.M. weatherstrip on my 1987 E30 Bimmer's NEVER been gummifledged since I've owned it and it STILL looks great! :rolleyes:

 

corvette-rubber is quite pricey.....