Weatherstrip question

[CHEWCH87]

How involved is replacing weatherstripping say around the door or roof top. rear hatch area? I have not really looked into it in detail. I imagine it is glued on but does it snap into a channel?? How involved /difficult is it to replace these strips. Im afraid to screw up and cause a leak. My Vette has weatherstripping which is in good shape but I wouldnt mind installing brand new weatherstripping to make it look perfect.
I have a Hayes repair manual for engine repairs but no book for body work . Can anyone recommend a good manual. Does chilton have one just for say replacing body parts like interior door panels ??

 

[Bob Yates]

Hey Chewch87....I use to be a GM tech who did this kind of work. GM uses clips,pins and glue to hold in w/strips. To find out how yours are fasten on I would order a service manual from Helm for your year model. It will show how everything is installed. If you still have your owners manual, go to the back of it and it will tell you how you can order a service manual for you vette. You can order on line at helm.com. I don't know if I'm spelling Helm right so you might want to look in your owners manual for correct spelling. And aid in removal is some tools that are sold by after market vette Parts people like Eckler's and Mid America Motorworks. Also 3M makes a spray that losens glue in w/strips without harming your paint. Good luck....Bob Yates

 

[GeorgeT]

I replaced the weatherstripping in my '93 coupe last winter: The hatch weatherstrip is a "b***h" to replace. It is not glued in but held in by the halo time pieces and the rear hatch trim pieces. You have to take the rear hatch struts loose to do this job. A six pack at the end of the day is adviable.

The weatherstrip that runs over the top of the windshield is somewhat difficult since the trim pieces that attach to the A pillers must come loose.

The other pieces are easy.

 

[SSTibet]

Chnaging Weatherstrips...

Changing the w/strips must be one of the hardests tasks due the following:

1. Parts are quite expensive if GM originals are used...

2. Geometry of parts not perfect if reproduction parts are used... I read from CAC replacement parts that are 1 inch longer than original... The inxpensive may end up much more expensive when the job is done...

3. Surface texture and material quality of reproduction parts are inferior to GM originals. So, you are highly adviced to change both sides of a part together (for example roof panel left & right strips). GM strips have a soft (velvet like) texture and reproductions are harder looking. They are indeed harder. It really depends on how crazy you are for your car.

4. Removing and installing the old / new strips is not a fun job since lots of glueing is involved.

GM original parts are available at Art`s Corvette Parts. Ecklers mostly carry reproduction units. I used the strips from Ecklers (Windshiled strip & roof panel left) and results are not too bad.