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Sofia74 Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2015 Posts: 565 Location: WV
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2022 3:51 pm Post subject: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Been reading the posts to prepare. Planning to install tomorrow. Based on the posts I even went and purchased a German OE seal. Much more compliant than the first one I bought. Looks like a good upgrade. First picture below.
My first question is about any recommended technique. Installing the rear seal was very awkward, even with two people. Putting the adhesive on both surfaces and then manipulating it into place and clamping. Without draping the seal across paint. It was difficult but of course the seal itself was not very flexible… The front looks to be even more difficult – full circle of a seal unlike the partial rear seal.
I’m wondering if there are recommendations. Maybe start at the front of the car and put adhesive on perhaps 12 inches at a time alternating sides…? I will put painters tape around the edges but I just don’t want to get any of the adhesive on the paint.
Second question, less important, is about the upper part of the seal - close the windshield. Second and third pictures below. The seal changes and there is no longer a groove in the seal that fits onto the raised lip that runs the whole way around. It also doesn't fit neatly into the channel in the body. I can make it fit but wondered what others thought.
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crocteau Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005 Posts: 1203 Location: Philaburbia
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2022 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Sofia74 wrote: |
My first question is about any recommended technique. |
Looks like you've planned your work well. I have just a few notes based on my N-of-one installation Use some solvent (gasoline works but I used a volatile organic solvent that leaves no oily residue) to clean the waxy/powdery white release compound completely from the seal. Your plan to take it in short steps worked for me. I used 3M weatherstrip adhesive and applied it to the seal and the channel where they're in contact along the inner bottom of the channel (wait for it to get tacky before putting the seal in place). I didn't find it necessary to apply adhesive to the crevice in the seal where it wraps over the top of the channel. Be careful not to pull the seal too taut as you go. I used binder clips all along the way. I considered masking overkill, just be sure to have some cotton balls and a tin of weatherstrip adhesive remover handy; the good stuff won't harm your paint. |
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Era Vulgaris Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012 Posts: 1662 Location: Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 4:22 am Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Also make sure the little cutouts for the drain holes are above the drain holes. _________________ Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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Redlabel6 Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2016 Posts: 379 Location: Minnesota
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crocteau Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005 Posts: 1203 Location: Philaburbia
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Redlabel6 wrote: |
hmmm, I put mine in without any adhesive. It hasn't budged. |
Whatever works. FWIW, from the VW Service manual Body – Karmann Ghia Coupé: “When renewing the front hood weatherstrip remove all traces of old cement with benzine and secure the new weatherstrip in position with Genuine VW Universal Adhesive D 12. …” Benzine, not to be confused with benzene |
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Sofia74 Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2015 Posts: 565 Location: WV
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Thanks for the tips. I did not get to it today but will post a picture if all goes well tomorrow. |
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3de Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2010 Posts: 24 Location: NoVA
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Sofia74 wrote: |
...a volatile organic solvent |
Sofia74 wrote: |
Benzine, not to be confused with benzene |
oh lord, this was a fun little rabbit hole to go down . At least I can say I learn't something!:
"Benzene is carcinogenic and was removed from the consumer market 40 years ago. Before then it was often used as a paint and varnish remover.
Benzine is another name for naphtha in the US, though the term is rarely used in this manner anymore. It’s also a common name for gasoline in England. Naphtha (benzine) is a faster evaporating, less oily (“drier”) form of mineral spirits. It’s not dangerous if used in moderation." |
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Marcdeb Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019 Posts: 3009 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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I will be doing this soon as well. I plan to do a dry run using clamps on the 4 corners and use small pieces of tape to mark the seal and channel every 10 or 12 inches to prevent over or under stretching the seal as I go. _________________ Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Peter D. Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004 Posts: 718 Location: Stamford, CT
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Era Vulgaris wrote: |
Also make sure the little cutouts for the drain holes are above the drain holes. |
Curious, are the drain holes already in the weatherstrip or do they have to be cut in? I bought my seal from WCM but haven't looked too closely at it and now it's in storage an hour away. _________________ 2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
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Era Vulgaris Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012 Posts: 1662 Location: Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Peter D. wrote: |
Era Vulgaris wrote: |
Also make sure the little cutouts for the drain holes are above the drain holes. |
Curious, are the drain holes already in the weatherstrip or do they have to be cut in? I bought my seal from WCM but haven't looked too closely at it and now it's in storage an hour away. |
I have the German Vewib brand seal, and they're already cut in. Not sure about others. _________________ Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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Peter D. Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2004 Posts: 718 Location: Stamford, CT
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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oh boy... the more I read about hood, decklid, and door seals the more I think none of the ones I bought are going to fit or work! _________________ 2019 Golf Alltrack, '65 Ghia Coupe Restoration in Progress |
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Sofia74 Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2015 Posts: 565 Location: WV
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Any last minute tips/technique to front trunk seal installation? |
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Seal installed today. Thanks for the advice. I am glad I purchased that second (German) seal. Much more flexible than the first one I bought from a major supplier as part of a kit. The new one also had wedges cut for the drain holes. They lined up well. |
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