TheSamba.com :: View topic - Champagne Westfalia Window Rubber, Chrome or No Chrome?

Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:23 pm

We have to replace the original window rubber.

The rear 2 side windows and back hatch window have the original plastic chrome that isn't chrome any longer.

At some point the front windshield rubber has been replaced, and the PO elected to just use the regular seal, no groove for the chrome trim.

What would you do for the rear windows?

Chrome Trim or No Chrome Trim?

Thank you for your opinions.

If you saw this bus for sale, would having the correct seals and trim make a difference to you, not that it is going to be for sale....?

Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:29 pm

is this in really good condition? do you care? is money an issue? it's really up to you. if it is in really good OG condition, then maybe go for the chrome. its pricier though. and then you would probably want to do the windshield too. thats more money.

if its just a daily driver, or you dont care about being as original, go plain.

you could save the plastic chrome pieces and old rubber to include as og parts if you sold it.

personally I dont think 99 % of the public would know the difference

Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:30 pm

IMHO the best fitting seals come from OeVeeDub. Quality ones with the slits for chrome are not as easy to find. I have read they were used mostly for the US market. ALso - I had those seals in both my 1971 bay and a 1971 Opel GT. I replaced them in the Opel in 1972 when they discolored. By the time I sold it in late 1973 they were discoloring again. The ones in my 1971 bus were black by 1976. I replaced them and by 1980 they were mostly black again. One of the vendors sells an aluminum one instead of the plastic but it would be less forgiving putting it in. We had to make the same decision on our 1977 when we restored it and we went without the chrome.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:19 am

The polished aluminum trim is the only way to go. Forget the plastic and it might not even be available any more. Installing the trim does take a fair amount more work.

Sun Mar 21, 2010 1:05 am

Keep it stock!

Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:42 am

Don't be surprised if the plain rear hatch rubber is wider than the trim type. I switched to the chrome trim type for the windshield and the rear hatch. After the rear hatch rubber with the trim was installed it was about 3/8 inch too narrow along the edge. In other words you could really see where the old rubber was installed by the marks in the paint.