TheSamba.com :: View topic - Vent Window Seal

Tue May 13, 2025 10:55 pm

I ordered Wolfsburg Wests Wing vent window seals and they seem to be nothing more than over thick wet-suit material that I could not get to slide in even with clamps and Windex/Silicone spray. I am thinking to use this stuff I would have to build a wooden block jig that holds the whole frame with another piece that pushes on the back of the glass with screw clamps. The material is absolutely too think in fact trying to get it in there with the clamps I had we actually bent the frame, so I had to reshape it. What is the trick? I did my SC windows a few years back but never had this issue. I'm guessing I got a different seal from somewhere because this sucks. That being said I took the easier and cheaper route and used a thicker mountain bike tube doubled up and was able to get it all together. I learned this trick when I did a front safari on my bug and the aftermarket glass was too thick. I'm open for suggestions I ordered enough of the WW rubber to do 3 buses but already ruined one piece. Thanks for any tips

Wed May 14, 2025 5:30 am

I sell the BBT seals which are incredibly easy to use and fit right. The other supplier's seals are way too thick and unusable in my opinion.

https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/rubbers-seals/windows/seal-glass-to-ventframe-tq-1/

You can use you left over WW seals to refresh the seal in you fresh air box directional flaps. Their material works quite well there.

Wed May 14, 2025 7:41 am

Use a seal from safari window. Goes in great works as it should and looks really close to being stock. It’s not my idea I stole it from someone here but if you scroll through my thread listed in my signature line I took so pictures of doing mine. Just toss that WW piece it’s almost impossible to use.

Wed May 14, 2025 8:22 am

The trick is to make the correct press. The WW rubber works perfect when you have one.

Wed May 14, 2025 9:00 am

pondoras box wrote: Use a seal from safari window. Goes in great works as it should and looks really close to being stock. It’s not my idea I stole it from someone here but if you scroll through my thread listed in my signature line I took so pictures of doing mine. Just toss that WW piece it’s almost impossible to use.

That was me. Used them in my 59 and they fit perfectly. I'd never torture myself with those silly slabs of rubber. It looks and fits like it's meant to be.

Wed May 14, 2025 9:56 am

campingbox wrote: The trick is to make the correct press. The WW rubber works perfect when you have one.

Would you mind showing what it looks like? I was thinking the same think. When did you get down to CA? I thought you were still in WA. Hope all is well.

Wed May 14, 2025 9:58 am

pondoras box wrote: Use a seal from safari window. Goes in great works as it should and looks really close to being stock. It’s not my idea I stole it from someone here but if you scroll through my thread listed in my signature line I took so pictures of doing mine. Just toss that WW piece it’s almost impossible to use.

Thanks I'll take a look bummer is that I bought a few sets that was a waste of $70.00

Wed May 14, 2025 11:10 am

The safari window seal trick, thanks for sharing that Bulli Klinic it was a God send!

Piece of doo doo WW seal.

Home made clamping device in operation. This is the passenger side, flip it over the other side is cut out for the driver’s side.

Mon May 26, 2025 10:04 pm

Lind wrote: I sell the BBT seals which are incredibly easy to use and fit right. The other supplier's seals are way too thick and unusable in my opinion.

https://www.bbt4vw.com/en/catalogue/1-exterior/rubbers-seals/windows/seal-glass-to-ventframe-tq-1/

You can use you left over WW seals to refresh the seal in you fresh air box directional flaps. Their material works quite well there.

Thanks Lind I'll get a hold of you

Mon May 26, 2025 11:15 pm

i use an old trick a long gone VW trained mechanic showed me:
the old cork gaskets for the valvcovers had leftover cork on the inside if you break away the valvecover seal
i clamp the ventwindow in a vise using these thin cork parts. you cant break the glass, no matter how hard you clamp it, i tried on spare
i then use a rubber mallet to install the frame over the glass catching the rubber
go careful and try not to widen the frame, some dishwashing liquid helps
the safari seal looks like a good way too....

Tue May 27, 2025 8:44 am

Safari seals do not allow the rubber to "ride" up over the triangular latch assembly if that makes sense.

Another vote for Lind as there has been no development of the WW seal as long as I remember.

Tue May 27, 2025 12:15 pm

What I don't like about the Wolfsburg West seal is that there is a ton of leftover material after you install it. It is a PITA to cut near the swoosh. I use an X-Acto knife but it is still a pain.

I used Lind's style recently (bought from a different supplier). It wanted to roll/ pull more to one side in the corner by the swoosh on one of the vent wing windows but other than that, it was a lot easier to clean up after installing. I used X-Acto knife for around the latch as the seal has extra material in that spot. I highly recommend the newer style that Lind is selling.

Tue May 27, 2025 1:35 pm

If this helps.

For cutting the rubber under the swoosh take an x-acto knife blade. Heat the tip up and bend it 90 degrees so it is no more than 1/8" tall. (get it red hot) That will get under the swoosh and cleanly cut the excess rubber.