Door Rubbers

[jh72i]

Hi all, I have finally ordered complete replacement seals for both my 69KG doors. Was wondering if there is any definite dummies guide to fitting them anywhere on the web that you'd know of?

Also, any recommendation on what glue would be best to use?

Also, I suppose, any no-nos, common mistakes that people make/made that I could get a heads-up on?

Thanks.

[3Bugs]

Here is my 2 cents

I guess you can say they are self descriptive as far as putting them in.

The best Glue is 3M Weather Strip Adhesive, I use black but some like the yellow one. I don’t think there is a difference.

As for No No’s…. Get the German Brand if you can, the imports are too open celled foam and tend to be too thick and wear out faster. They also interfere with the closing of the door sometimes. I have had bad experience with West Coast Metric with the same problem I described above but on my Bugs. I cannot tell you if the same problem would be for their Ghia rubbers they sell.

Another common mistake is stretching the rubber while your putting it on the door. If you stretch it then you end up with a rubber that’s too long and varied in thickness. You can go back and level it out if the glue has not dried.

Not taking the old glue out of the seal grove is bad too. Glue will not stick to glue and if you try the bond will fail causing the rubber to fall out or not seal well.

Lastly, if your door is out of alignment you want to get that taken care of before you put your seal on. Putting the seal on the door and then aligning it will only provide a temporary alignment solution. When you go back and align the door you may have worn your rubber and no longer have a sealing surface.
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3Bugs
Well, actually a 67 Bug, 72 Super, 61 Ghia and a 2004 Beetle Vert (sorry)

[FL450]

3M is the best. It is best to put the adhesive both on the car AND the seal seperately and let the stuff get tacky. Once tacky-- stick together. This is kind of like the rubber cement trick from middle school arts and crafts class
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The strong do what they will, the weak accept what they must.
'67 Ghia coupe
'73 T3 SQ Back

[jh72i]

Thanks a million for taking the time to post those replies. I will get some 3m and keep in mind those tips.

Cheers
jh

[mike67]

You might want to take a look at this faq:

http://www.house-of-ghia.com/ghiagab_v11-1.html#q&a

Question 19 describes the window rubber replacement in detail, along with some sketches.

[Achilles3588]

[jh72i]

Well I got the 'bag of snakes' today so I'll be attempting this job when I get enough hours to do it patiently. But because I couldn't resist I tried the engine compartment seal - its got to be the easiest right?

Well, 2 questions:

1. should the seal not be long enough to go around the entire area - it stops at about the curve down (vertically) if I even it out!??

2. the lid won't close without distorting the rubber because the hinges cannot get past it!?

Ok, I didn't spend a huge amount of time at it but I was a little disappointed that this part wasn't just stright forward considering the complexity of the othe jobs ahead.

Oh, one other question: do you guys actually glue the engine and hood seals in place?

[execk2]

My engine seal ends about half way down the side and I put another strip about 8-10 inches in the middle near the latch and works GREAT. I didn't glue it on just wiggled it in the sheet metal.


Mike
www.mikeandjosee.com

[73_ghia]

[execk2]

Well that seems a little bass akwards. There is no need to weather strip at the top not at the bottom. Seems to me this guy has it on the wrong way round.

Mike
www.mikeandjosee.com

[73_ghia]

[jh72i]

Thanks for the reply folks. I actually emailed the people I bought the seals from to suggest that maybe I didn't get ALL of the seal but just as you suggest they reply that the seal goes around the lower part of the engine.

!!!???

Another question for ye - I live in Ireland and just cannot seem to find here of the UK a supplier of the 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive I keep reading is essential for a great job. Can you point me at any US company that doesn't insist on UPS delivery - see the tube will cost $7/8 but deliver will cost $70/80!!

Thanks again.

[jh72i]

Seals done over the weekend so thanks to all for the help and pointers. Took lots of time, made a few silly mistakes but am pretty damn happy with the results.

[Scott@KGPR]