Help /w B Pillar Weatherstrip
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 6
From: Las vegas Nevada
Procedures
This came from American Motorworks.
No matter which year or body style Corvette you own, correct weatherstripping replacement is one of the most cost effective Corvette Parts Restoration projects to improve your Corvette's value, and insure correct functionality of your Corvette weatherstripping seals.
The physical replacement of old to new Corvette weatherstripping is straightforward. Keep your work clean, dry-fit all weatherstrip parts prior to final installation, and use reasonable care.
Always work in a warm environment, making sure your new Corvette weatherstripping is at or above room temperature; a heat gun is a great aid during installation.
For longer pieces it is more effective to start working from the center of the part toward each end. Corvette weatherstrips can be "adjusted" by stretching (mild heat will help here) or compressing the length to fit a specific opening or channel.
With few exceptions, we suggest that you replace your Corvettes weatherstrip seals be replaced as a set. Unfortunately, even with the best of care, weatherstrip becomes compressed and less resilient as it ages. Replacing a single torn or worn piece within a group of seals often proves frustrating. The various weatherstrips and seals in an entire area like a door and side window glass opening work together like a team. Changing one faulty part simple creates a gap where it meets the compressed existing parts. Equally important is adjustment of doors, side window alignment, roof panel, convertible top or auxiliary hardtop. These adjustments are critical to insure a leak-free restoration. The sequence and technique of these adjustments vary with model and body style and may be found in the appropriate Corvette Service Manual for your year.
A good Weatherstrip Tool Kit makes removal and installation of weatherstripping much easier.
Corvette Weatherstrip Installation Hints:
1. Unwrap the rubber, straighten it out and lay it in the sun for a few minutes if possible. This will make the weatherstrip soft and will take out the wrinkles.
2. Clean the surface you will be applying the weatherstrip to, removing all wax and dirt.
3. Attach each end of the weatherstrip and glue down approximately 6 inches. This will keep from stretching the rubber too far one way or the other.
4. Make sure the weatherstrip is aligned properly.
5. Apply a tape that will not ruin your paint, just outside of the area the weatherstrip is being applied to. This will allow you to keep glue off of the paint where you don't want it.
6. Tape across the weather strip about every 12 inches to keep secure until adhesive is dry.
No matter which year or body style Corvette you own, correct weatherstripping replacement is one of the most cost effective Corvette Parts Restoration projects to improve your Corvette's value, and insure correct functionality of your Corvette weatherstripping seals.
The physical replacement of old to new Corvette weatherstripping is straightforward. Keep your work clean, dry-fit all weatherstrip parts prior to final installation, and use reasonable care.
Always work in a warm environment, making sure your new Corvette weatherstripping is at or above room temperature; a heat gun is a great aid during installation.
For longer pieces it is more effective to start working from the center of the part toward each end. Corvette weatherstrips can be "adjusted" by stretching (mild heat will help here) or compressing the length to fit a specific opening or channel.
With few exceptions, we suggest that you replace your Corvettes weatherstrip seals be replaced as a set. Unfortunately, even with the best of care, weatherstrip becomes compressed and less resilient as it ages. Replacing a single torn or worn piece within a group of seals often proves frustrating. The various weatherstrips and seals in an entire area like a door and side window glass opening work together like a team. Changing one faulty part simple creates a gap where it meets the compressed existing parts. Equally important is adjustment of doors, side window alignment, roof panel, convertible top or auxiliary hardtop. These adjustments are critical to insure a leak-free restoration. The sequence and technique of these adjustments vary with model and body style and may be found in the appropriate Corvette Service Manual for your year.
A good Weatherstrip Tool Kit makes removal and installation of weatherstripping much easier.
Corvette Weatherstrip Installation Hints:
1. Unwrap the rubber, straighten it out and lay it in the sun for a few minutes if possible. This will make the weatherstrip soft and will take out the wrinkles.
2. Clean the surface you will be applying the weatherstrip to, removing all wax and dirt.
3. Attach each end of the weatherstrip and glue down approximately 6 inches. This will keep from stretching the rubber too far one way or the other.
4. Make sure the weatherstrip is aligned properly.
5. Apply a tape that will not ruin your paint, just outside of the area the weatherstrip is being applied to. This will allow you to keep glue off of the paint where you don't want it.
6. Tape across the weather strip about every 12 inches to keep secure until adhesive is dry.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
