TheSamba.com :: View topic - Re-gluing/fixing a window rubber seal splice

Tue Jun 20, 2023 11:05 pm

The wife and I were putting the slider window back into the westy with a new seal and accidentally stressed the spliced portion enough to tear the ends nearly apart. Currently the outside part is still welded together, but just barely.

Any ideas on re-welding/vulcanizing the seam back together? Possible?

We battled the window for quite awhile, dang snug fit. Didn’t get the window in, tore the seal and decided to call it a day. New German rubber seal with groove for plastic trim (‘91 Canadian westy).

Or not worry about it and silicone the crack after? (provided we get the stupid window in!)

Thanks for advice - Mark

Wed Jun 21, 2023 5:49 am

get a new seal, it will never be right

chrome trim goes in before you install the window, not after. I'm sure it can be installed when the window is in, but it's way easier to do it while it's out

Wed Jun 21, 2023 7:09 am

My vote is also for a new seal. Sorry.

Wed Jun 21, 2023 11:39 am

Thanks guys, that’s what I figured.

This one seems to be a real bugger compared to the others. Tried the double U but was super tight. Going to source some slightly thinner cord and beefier neighbor to help.

Unfortunately I totally spaced the chrome strip on the rest, does look like it too will be a challenge. Makes life interesting right?

Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:00 pm

You can push window screen spline into the void to take up the slack instead of putting the chrome trim back in.

Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:58 am

They make a rubber bonding SA which is not much different from how those seal were put together. i'd try fixing it you have nothing to lose. But then again i would straighten out a bent Vanagon alloy.

You should have had the joint top or bottom on one of the runs. Putting those sliders in is tricky.

Stacy

Thu Jun 22, 2023 10:31 am

Yep new seal, don't waste your time trying to install the torn one after repair. When I did mine last year usually struggled for a couple of hours on the last corner of the sliders. Lots of soap, patience, and appropriate salty language.

Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:12 pm

Sounds like you needed more slippery stuff to keep your cord from getting snagged. I have seen folks recommend spray silicone. I used Fluid Film, which worked great. Later I learned that it might react with the rubber since it is lanolin base, but so far the seal seems fine.

Thu Jun 22, 2023 2:58 pm

16CVs wrote: They make a rubber bonding SA which is not much different from how those seal were put together. i'd try fixing it you have nothing to lose. But then again i would straighten out a bent Vanagon alloy.

You should have had the joint top or bottom on one of the runs. Putting those sliders in is tricky.

Stacy

I'm with Stacy on this. The new window seals are garbage. If you can save an older seal made out of good rubber, that is worth it. New seals don't go in easy, often have corners stick out, and tear easily.

Stacey, do you have a recommendation on the adhesive you mentioned?

Mark, as a word of caution if you go too thin on the rope you use to pull the window in, the rope can cut the seal. Also more common on the new terrible rubber seals commonly stocked by vendors now.

Thu Jun 22, 2023 3:05 pm

The hobbyists use a special S/A made just fir bonding rubber. Ask any good hobby shop about a Rubber S/A. It works well, I have used it.

S/A most people call it crazy glue.

Stacy

Thu Jun 22, 2023 3:31 pm

16CVs wrote: The hobbyists use a special S/A made just fir bonding rubber. Ask any good hobby shop about a Rubber S/A. It works well, I have used it.

S/A most people call it crazy glue.

Stacy
Do you mean CA Glue (Cyanoacrylate)?
I have tried to repair door seals before with various products but never had good long term results, never thought about repairing a window seal since the R&R is such a task.

Thu Jun 22, 2023 3:38 pm

Yes, duh CA !

Fri Jun 23, 2023 10:54 pm

The seals are all new and all the others seemed to fit well with no issues - once we got the cord placement dialed in anyway.

More soap usage for sure - shying away from fluid film and silicone at this point.

Curious about using CA glue. I have a new seal coming, but will play around and see how tough the CA weld is. I’ll Post some results.

Sat Jun 24, 2023 8:52 pm

montanasurfer wrote: I'm with Stacy on this. The new window seals are garbage. I disagree. I bought the Volkswagen Classic Parts windshield seal for my Rabbit (had to order it from England) and it has turned out to be very high quality. So stick to Classic Parts.

Sat Jun 24, 2023 9:09 pm

This was a seam to be begin with, once in it’s not under stress. The correct CA will keep it together when Installing it and 20 years down the road it will still be OK.

If you want to spend money and have your van out if commission. These are all opinions from few people that have ever put a window in.

Stscyy

Sun Jun 25, 2023 7:52 am

FWWI, I use to deal with large ocean going vessels, and we would frequently chop up various large o-rings and assorted other flexible seals that were critical to engine operation, and re-glue them with superglue. I don't recall what kinda superglue, but it was just store bought superglue.

What I use now, is "Loctite Ultra Gel Control superglue". Stuff just keeps surprising me on how well it works for stuff that it probably was never envisioned for...