Rear hatch weatherstrip.

[zr1nsxgto]

The rear window weather stripping on the ZR-1's and base vettes usually will come apart at the corners over time. When they are originally made, it appears that they are glued with what I assume is a 3M product. Has anyone here had any success re-gluing? Mine is starting to come apart, but hasn't completely separated yet. My brother has a base Vette that has completely failed. I've not seen a aftermarket window seal that is as good as the original. They are fairly expensive as well. I've been thinking about building a fixture to accurately position (out of the car) the window seal for re-gluing.:icon_scra

[-=Jeff=-]

The rear window weather stripping on the ZR-1's and base vettes usually will come apart at the corners over time. When they are originally made, it appears that they are glued with what I assume is a 3M product. Has anyone here had any success re-gluing? Mine is starting to come apart, but hasn't completely separated yet. My brother has a base Vette that has completely failed. I've not seen a aftermarket window seal that is as good as the original. They are fairly expensive as well. I've been thinking about building a fixture to accurately position (out of the car) the window seal for re-gluing.:icon_scra

I replaced the Rear window strip on my old 89 and my current 90.. both with aftermarket pieces and both seemed to fit fine..

89 one I had for about years without fail, before I sold it

[GOLDCYLON]

About $59 from Wilcox on sale. They ALL last about two years. Some black RTV in the corners may help if they are not seperated already. Dyelectric grease keeps them supple and conditioned

[jrd1990zr1]

I replaced the Rear window strip on my old 89 and my current 90.. both with aftermarket pieces and both seemed to fit fine..

89 one I had for about years without fail, before I sold it

Hi Jeff,

Whose did you by that fit well? Was it the same as GC mentioned?

Thanks, John :cheers:

[-=Jeff=-]

Corvette America was one, the other was Lonestar on eBay I think

[Pete]

http://www.tld-corvette.com/products.asp?dept=918



Pete

[ZZZZZR1]

I went with OEM 3 or 4 years ago....

Very expensive, but some have issues with reproductions.

:cheers:

David

[-=Jeff=-]

For any Weather strip for our cars here is what I would use

Hatch, OEM or Aftermarket (no issues with Aftermarket for me)

Doors themselves, OEM, Aftermarket is not as durable

Roof (targa), OEM or Melrose Repros.. My Melrose pieces are as soft as OEM

A and B Pillar, OEM but I am using the stuff from Melrose, it is okay so far

[bobbyhi]

Both sides corners on mine are separating. Is this a difficult project to replace? Never did any weather stripping before.......

[zr1nsxgto]

I think I need to get in contact with a applications specialist at 3M and see what is the best product for gluing the corners. I can make a fixture that would accurately mitre cut a 1/16 or so off of each cut to get into virgin material. Then hold the strip in the fixture to apply and hold the glue while it cures. I'm fairly certain that 3M developed the adhesive that was originally used and they probably have developed a superior product since then.

I used to work in a speaker manufacturing plant and we used a variety of adhesives for a gazillion applications. One of those applications was gluing the rubber surround of a woofer to the paper cone. This was done with a product that was referred to as "black max" and stayed pliable for the life of the product. These cones were subjected to a battery of environmental stress testing---salt spray, UV resistance, heat-cold survival, etc. I think that product might work well for the weather strip. Accurately cutting and regluing is what will determine how well it works.

[pantera1683]

I think I need to get in contact with a applications specialist at 3M and see what is the best product for gluing the corners. I can make a fixture that would accurately mitre cut a 1/16 or so off of each cut to get into virgin material. Then hold the strip in the fixture to apply and hold the glue while it cures. I'm fairly certain that 3M developed the adhesive that was originally used and they probably have developed a superior product since then.

I used to work in a speaker manufacturing plant and we used a variety of adhesives for a gazillion applications. One of those applications was gluing the rubber surround of a woofer to the paper cone. This was done with a product that was referred to as "black max" and stayed pliable for the life of the product. These cones were subjected to a battery of environmental stress testing---salt spray, UV resistance, heat-cold survival, etc. I think that product might work well for the weather strip. Accurately cutting and regluing is what will determine how well it works.


Sounds cool, keep us updated.

[LGNDLT5]

All you need is 3M Black weatherstrip adhesive in a tube. Available at quality auto parts stores etc. This is the stuff it was originally glued with. Made for this type of application and works great. You must follow the instructions though. Not a big risk at $5-$6 for a tube. John

[Paul Workman]

I once built a wet-suit jacket from scraps of wet suit pieces - "my coat of many colors". The wet suit rubber is very similar to weather seal, and I've always wondered if some of that wet suit repair cement you get at a dive shop wouldn't put the ends of these weatherstrips back together.

Not too many "dive shops" around here, but I'm sure one could get a tube on line somewhere and give it a try??

If that danged stuff works as well on weatherstripping as it did my wet-suit, you can "set it and forget it" and save a buncha bucks. Anybody got some of that rubber cement????

Just a thought.

P.

[bobbyhi]

I once built a wet-suit jacket from scraps of wet suit pieces - "my coat of many colors". The wet suit rubber is very similar to weather seal, and I've always wondered if some of that wet suit repair cement you get at a dive shop wouldn't put the ends of these weatherstrips back together.

Not too many "dive shops" around here, but I'm sure one could get a tube on line somewhere and give it a try??

If that danged stuff works as well on weatherstripping as it did my wet-suit, you can "set it and forget it" and save a buncha bucks. Anybody got some of that rubber cement????

Just a thought.

P.


I think they guy before me tried the rubber glue and after so many years that it has "let go". I'll probably buy the after market and put that on during the winter (heated garage!!). Thanks Paul..............

[soslow]

I had the same problem at the corners, but the rest of the weathstrip was perfect. I just repaired the corners by taping it together with the black tape thats sold to repair radiator hoses with. It is waterproof and stays put. If you trim a piece to fit just so, it looks pretty good, holds the edges together and blends right in so as to be almost unnoticeable.

[Hammer]

http://www.tld-corvette.com/products.asp?dept=918

Pete

I used the same piece for the hatch weatherstrip and it works great. Over two years now and no problems at all.

[Z51JEFF]

Heres my repair.Ill replace it with a new G.M. piece here pretty soon.http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/FLYTYM/DSCN0491.jpg