When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am replacing A pillar and door weatherstripping on my 96 coupe. Bought new stuff from CRC. Looks exactly like the factory stuff I removed which had a ton of adhesive holding the a pillar weatherstrip and adhesive used on each ends of the door weatherstripping. Also a fair amount of adhesive was used on the ends and corners of the A pillar weatherstrip. I have read many posts of owners stating they didn’t use any adhesive except for the corners and ends of the A pillar weatherstrip. I bought the correct 3m super black adhesive and if I copy what the factory did I should use a continuous beed starting at the bottom of the A pillar, across the roof and end at the bottom of the other A pillar. On the door I should put some on each end of the door weatherstripping. That would match the factory. Am I missing anything?
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
When I replaced the weatherstripping on my 86 I copied the factory and used sealant the entire length. Any other weathestripping I have ever done on other cars I used sealant the entire length.
After the arduous task of removing the old sealant and the painful process of purchasing the new stripping I have become fanatical regarding applying a protective coating to all my weatherstripping. Currently using Shin Etsu silicon grease, from day one.
I don't think the factory used but maybe a very tiny bit of adhesive. Your weatherstripping was probably done once after the factory job. I just replaced all my 1994 weatherstripping, because a bad product, purchased from zipcorvette was applied by my local bodyshop, and adhesive was mandatory. The weatherstripping still didn't fit right, and it took me days to remove the adhesive and install proper weatherstripping purchased from Corvette Rubber Company. This was all done in the past couple of months, and now, zipcorvette is advertising that they source weatherstripping from Corvette Rubber Company. I'll bet my faulty weatherstripping was some of much sold by zipcorvette, and it's very good that zipcorvette made change. I used no adhesive on my Corvette Rubber Company weatherstripping, and it's a very superior product. My doors and convertible top now don't close as easily as I'd like, but they keep getting better with time....the weatherstripping needs time to conform, and I'm so pleased with it.
The A Pillar weatherstripping I used from CRC last year fit perfect without adhesive. Took me a number of hours to remove all the old crappy quality weatherstripping with tons of adhesive the PO had installed at some point. Clean all the channels and don't use adhesive on the install.
First two pics show the crap I had to clean out before being able to install new and next two show new installed without adhesive.
All of my weatherstripping has been replaced with CRC's stuff and I didn't use any, except for a little to tack down the ends on the windshield pillar.
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Originally Posted by Dougk56
I don't think the factory used but maybe a very tiny bit of adhesive. Your weatherstripping was probably done once after the factory job. I just replaced all my 1994 weatherstripping, because a bad product, purchased from zipcorvette was applied by my local bodyshop, and adhesive was mandatory. The weatherstripping still didn't fit right, and it took me days to remove the adhesive and install proper weatherstripping purchased from Corvette Rubber Company. This was all done in the past couple of months, and now, zipcorvette is advertising that they source weatherstripping from Corvette Rubber Company. I'll bet my faulty weatherstripping was some of much sold by zipcorvette, and it's very good that zipcorvette made change. I used no adhesive on my Corvette Rubber Company weatherstripping, and it's a very superior product. My doors and convertible top now don't close as easily as I'd like, but they keep getting better with time....the weatherstripping needs time to conform, and I'm so pleased with it.
Mine was factory and took hours to remove. They spared no adhesive. Used almost none when reinstalling. The hatch and doors closed without too much effort after awhile, but the targa has never installed right after done I have to pull down on the front to get the bolts to catch. Why is this always a problem with new weatherstripping? Wasn't like that from the factory
Thinking of buying cheap A piller just so the targa will install right, LOL
We used Black RTV just a single 1/8" across the top and sides, the RTV gives you time to get everything tucked in and allows you the ability to slide and adjust. Then in 10 years as the stripping fails it's easy to clean up.
Another question…. There are 2 different sized push pins for the A pillar weatherstripping. The Lower ones are small. A few of mine broke when removing the weatherstripping… looks like GM part # 12503854 is what I need. Any suggestions on where to source them? I tried all the local auto parts stores and looked online. I need 4 of them.
Another question…. There are 2 different sized push pins for the A pillar weatherstripping. The Lower ones are small. A few of mine broke when removing the weatherstripping… looks like GM part # 12503854 is what I need. Any suggestions on where to source them? I tried all the local auto parts stores and looked online. I need 4 of them.
One thought is to drill the lower holes slightly larger to match the upper holes and just shorten the pins that I have for the upper A pillar weatherstripping
I just did it all on my 94, didn’t use much if any sealant. That said, the 3M weather stripping sealant is excellent stuff. I’ve used it for so many things, including - weatherstripping (to repair a nicked door seal on my truck).
Good luck with your install. I’m still slamming the doors to get them to close flush and keep hoping that the seals will break in/soften. No such luck yet, but only just installed in winter 2026.
thanks… just need to make sure it is GM #12503854 which is the 4 small .625 pins and the 2 large ,750 pins. According to the part number they referenced all the pins are the same size.
I just did it all on my 94, didn’t use much if any sealant. That said, the 3M weather stripping sealant is excellent stuff. I’ve used it for so many things, including - weatherstripping (to repair a nicked door seal on my truck).
Good luck with your install. I’m still slamming the doors to get them to close flush and keep hoping that the seals will break in/soften. No such luck yet, but only just installed in winter 2026.
will your door close much more easily if you lower your window 1/2" or 3/4", if it does theres a window tilt adj in the FSM.
thanks… just need to make sure it is GM #12503854 which is the 4 small .625 pins and the 2 large ,750 pins. According to the part number they referenced all the pins are the same size.
will your door close much more easily if you lower your window 1/2" or 3/4", if it does theres a window tilt adj in the FSM.
did to the window adjustment per fsm - it’s basically a necessity to do with new weather strip. No - the primary points of resistance are near the door hinges and strikers. The new weather stripping just seems much chunkier in these areas.
I disagree with "no adhesive needed". The adhesive seals a potential leak-path between the rubber and the retainer. Without a positive bond, compression of the rubber is the only 'block' of this leak path.
If the engineers didn't think adhesive was required, they wouldn't have spent the money (for both the material and the UAW labor to apply it) for the 365,000+ C4 produced.
Weatherstripping adhesive yes or no
