C5 Weatherstripping...Take 2
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
C5 Weatherstripping...Take 2
Guys, sorry to post this twice was just hoping for a quick response....
Raider (who aoffered advice before) and others, I just shot by the local Advanced Autoparts and they didn't have anything directly referred to as dialetric silcone. They had other silicone adhesive gels and even silicone greases (which I assume is not what your talking about). Can anyone provide a better description or does anyone know an actual brand? Sorry just want to make sure I get the right thing for my baby. Most seem to come in either a package similar to super glue or caulk. And as far as application, based on my leak, do I want to take the targa top off and apply a thin film of the compound (with nitrile gloves on) to the areas of weatherstripping that contact between the A-pillar and the top, let them dry apart, and then put back together after? Is 24 hours enough time to let them sit apart and its quite cold here today - about 20-ish though the car sits in a garage. Should I wait until tomorrow when its suppose to flirt with 50?
Just wanted to get that compound today, get it put on and the car and ready to show the car to family over the holiday?
Thanks guys everyone has been extremely helpful!
Raider (who aoffered advice before) and others, I just shot by the local Advanced Autoparts and they didn't have anything directly referred to as dialetric silcone. They had other silicone adhesive gels and even silicone greases (which I assume is not what your talking about). Can anyone provide a better description or does anyone know an actual brand? Sorry just want to make sure I get the right thing for my baby. Most seem to come in either a package similar to super glue or caulk. And as far as application, based on my leak, do I want to take the targa top off and apply a thin film of the compound (with nitrile gloves on) to the areas of weatherstripping that contact between the A-pillar and the top, let them dry apart, and then put back together after? Is 24 hours enough time to let them sit apart and its quite cold here today - about 20-ish though the car sits in a garage. Should I wait until tomorrow when its suppose to flirt with 50?
Just wanted to get that compound today, get it put on and the car and ready to show the car to family over the holiday?
Thanks guys everyone has been extremely helpful!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
It leaks in the front corners where the targa top meets the a-pillers. More profusely on the dirver side but a bit on the passenger side. Tired of wet seats, legs and carpets during the rain....
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Dielectric Grease is a common lubricant - you don't want to just slop it on, rather a little bit worked into the weatherstrip followed by a wipe down with a clean rag.here are several brands
You may also want to check your roof panel adjustments
You may also want to check your roof panel adjustments
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,823
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Not sure of actual brand names, but if you can't find something at an auto parts store, stop by a good body shop. Bet they have something that would work. That's where I got a can of the stuff years ago.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: DFW Tx
CRC is the brand I use. Found at AutoZone and Pepboys. Seen it at Walmart, etc.
CRC makes lots of automotive products, brake cleaner, degreaser, electic parts cleaner, etc. I think their cans are mostly red and green.
Heres a pic
CRC makes lots of automotive products, brake cleaner, degreaser, electic parts cleaner, etc. I think their cans are mostly red and green.
Heres a pic
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Just applied it.
Hey guys, just applied the dialetric silicone grease to all the weatherstripping around the targa top its docking area and around the windows per your instructions. I have to admit I am pretty siked. If it works as good as it looks I'll be extremely happy. 
It really brings out the life in the rubber and even gives it a nice natural shine. Thanks to all who provided the advice and instructions. 
I owe you all a beer.
I am going to give it a day or two to set in, give it another wipe down, and then put the top back on. And then bring on the rain!!!!
Keep you posted. Thanks again.
It really brings out the life in the rubber and even gives it a nice natural shine. Thanks to all who provided the advice and instructions. I owe you all a beer.
I am going to give it a day or two to set in, give it another wipe down, and then put the top back on. And then bring on the rain!!!!
Keep you posted. Thanks again.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by cjlaw73
Guys, sorry to post this twice was just hoping for a quick response....
Raider (who aoffered advice before) and others, I just shot by the local Advanced Autoparts and they didn't have anything directly referred to as dialetric silcone. They had other silicone adhesive gels and even silicone greases (which I assume is not what your talking about). Can anyone provide a better description or does anyone know an actual brand? Sorry just want to make sure I get the right thing for my baby. Most seem to come in either a package similar to super glue or caulk. And as far as application, based on my leak, do I want to take the targa top off and apply a thin film of the compound (with nitrile gloves on) to the areas of weatherstripping that contact between the A-pillar and the top, let them dry apart, and then put back together after? Is 24 hours enough time to let them sit apart and its quite cold here today - about 20-ish though the car sits in a garage. Should I wait until tomorrow when its suppose to flirt with 50?
Just wanted to get that compound today, get it put on and the car and ready to show the car to family over the holiday?
Thanks guys everyone has been extremely helpful!
Raider (who aoffered advice before) and others, I just shot by the local Advanced Autoparts and they didn't have anything directly referred to as dialetric silcone. They had other silicone adhesive gels and even silicone greases (which I assume is not what your talking about). Can anyone provide a better description or does anyone know an actual brand? Sorry just want to make sure I get the right thing for my baby. Most seem to come in either a package similar to super glue or caulk. And as far as application, based on my leak, do I want to take the targa top off and apply a thin film of the compound (with nitrile gloves on) to the areas of weatherstripping that contact between the A-pillar and the top, let them dry apart, and then put back together after? Is 24 hours enough time to let them sit apart and its quite cold here today - about 20-ish though the car sits in a garage. Should I wait until tomorrow when its suppose to flirt with 50?
Just wanted to get that compound today, get it put on and the car and ready to show the car to family over the holiday?
Thanks guys everyone has been extremely helpful!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Tried the silicone but still leaking
Well I applyied the grease yesterday after work. It did really revitalize the rubber real nice. Got home today and threw another quick coat on, and let it sit for a couple of hours then I put the top back on to give her a quick wash because I was a little nervous about some of the grease that may have got on the paint and also because I wanted to have her all shined up for the family to see over the holidays. (of coarse its suppose to t-storm tomorrow so she'll sit in the garage another day now anyway). Unfortunately I am still getting a nice trickle in on the driver side. I think it may be time for plan B. I thought about doing the adjustment to the targa top as suggested but it sounded a bit complicated. Am I wrong or can a guy with two left thumbs pull it off?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota FL
Originally Posted by TorchRedRaider
CRC is the brand I use. Found at AutoZone and Pepboys. Seen it at Walmart, etc.
CRC makes lots of automotive products, brake cleaner, degreaser, electic parts cleaner, etc. I think their cans are mostly red and green.
Heres a pic
CRC makes lots of automotive products, brake cleaner, degreaser, electic parts cleaner, etc. I think their cans are mostly red and green.
Heres a pic
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
From: Dallas TX
The beauty of this forum is even though you haven't gotten a lot of responses, there are a ton of people with the same leak in the same place (like me). I am also tired of the the leak around the targa edge and A pillar. I keep refreshing this page for any advice that is given. Thanks guys.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
Another try...
I tried something else. I removed the top again last night and in the area of the leak I applied some rubber sealer to the edges that mate together when the tops on. I guess I figured if I could expand the area on both surfaces they would fit more snug. Once it dries I'll reaply the top and see how it works. I'll let you know how it comes out, though after today its suppose to be sunny through at least mid next week and I just waxed her so she is not going out today.
There has to be a similar compound that would work better in the manner I just tried. The logic seems to make sense to me.
There has to be a similar compound that would work better in the manner I just tried. The logic seems to make sense to me.
