| Author |
Message |
edgood1
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 2123
Location: Plymouth, MA
|
 Posted: Wed May 29, 2024 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Pop Out Seals: Things have changed |
 |
|
I'm reviving this old thread to see what the best options are for today. I have a lot of new seals on hand which are probably 5-10 years old. I'm looking for a better option for the pop out frame to body seal, the one that seals the window from outside when opening and closing it. I have many WCM seals that are way too firm and make installing the window frames almost impossible, let alone open and close them once they're installed. I had a few WW seals that were much softer and better but still not great. I ended up replacing all the new WCM with these since the WCM were so hard to work with.
Is there anything better on the market these days? I'm looking for nice supple rubber that is easy to install and actually use the pop outs. I know this is a lot to ask.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Soul Built
Pimpin' Aint Easy
Joined: August 28, 2004
Posts: 1636
Location: SoCal
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
I use WW pretty religiously but for the inner seal, I had to go with WCM. I had the same issue with the seal being too small that it made installation very difficult.
I did 12 pop outs with all WW seals a few years ago with zero issue. There is a clear difference in what is currently being sold and what was available 5-6 years ago |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5461
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Pacmanfever wrote: |
I called WCM today and ordered two of the seals today, they have in stock everything but the "frame to glass" seal. He said they're waiting on the extrusion of material to make up the seals, and did not have an arrival date.
I passed along that the community was eagerly waiting, as they've been out since May of this year; for what that's worth. |
So how did the WCM seals work out?
Looks like there is alot of info concerning the pop out outter frame seals and the frame to glass seals.
Bullibill just did his pop out frame to glass seals in his DC with WW seals and he said they worked great; others are saying they were so tight a fit it cut through the seal when compressing the frames.
I have seen at least 2 different measurments for the WCM outter frame seals posted.
Is there ever going to be a consensus as to what rubber seals for pop out windows fit best, or are we doomed to play seal roulette every time we need to re-seal a window? Maybee the manufacturing process has poor quality control?
I spoke with a rep at WCM a few months ago and he told me that alot of the WW seals are made by the same manufacturer that make their seals, true?
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pacmanfever
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2013
Posts: 201
Location: Kansas
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I called WCM today and ordered two of the seals today, they have in stock everything but the "frame to glass" seal. He said they're waiting on the extrusion of material to make up the seals, and did not have an arrival date.
I passed along that the community was eagerly waiting, as they've been out since May of this year; for what that's worth. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5461
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 8:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Looks like WCM,WW, and Ronnie at Bustoration is out of stock on popout
glass to frame seals.
Anyone know of a supplier that has these?
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5461
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
So are the WCM the best seals for the pop outs as of now?
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kenshapiro2002
Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2013
Posts: 1826
Location: Bawlmer Hon
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
So, I installed the WW seal this morning. It worked out well. It wasn't an easy job because I didn't use any clamps or jig which would have helped. To get the screws in, I was leaning against the frame with all of my weight while bearing down on the screwdriver with all of my weight to get the first few threads in. After all of that, I realized that I'd put the glass in inside out, which meant that the logo was in the wrong corner (upper left on left side window, instead of upper right), and therefore reading backward. The install was such a PITA, that I decided to leave it that way instead of redoing it! Just as I finished, the crew that was coming to cut down some trees for me showed up and a Mexican guy came jogging down toward me yelling, "KOMBI"!!! It was a nice moment.
_________________
Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat
Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thom
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2000
Posts: 6171
Location: Sacramento
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| crofty wrote: |
The problem is that the manufacturers will start posting about how their product is better than so and so's and vice versa and it all falls to crap soon afterward. Look at the Autocraft Vs. Klassic Fab thread. For every guy that posts actual experience with the product you get 20 blow hard, ass kissers praising how great it is that the parts are available and the manufacturer walks across water on his way to work everyday.
If you could eliminate that crap it would be a great thread to have. |
+999E3
_________________
-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
otis_bartleh
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Burlington, WA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
| kenshapiro2002 wrote: |
| OK...WCM called me back to tell me they are NOT in stock and don't have any idea when they will be in stock, so I cancelled the order. Got the one from Bustorations today. It was a WW one...same thing I already have. Guess I'll be installing a small one tomorrow. |
I just checked the seals I recently got, and I did get WCM seals from Bustoration, but I was mistaken on which seals I got, it was the pop out body seals I got, not the frame seals. I already had those, from WW... Sorry to mislead...
_________________
-Adam
'59 Mango Bus
'69 Bug - Cobalt Blue |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kenshapiro2002
Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2013
Posts: 1826
Location: Bawlmer Hon
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
OK...WCM called me back to tell me they are NOT in stock and don't have any idea when they will be in stock, so I cancelled the order. Got the one from Bustorations today. It was a WW one...same thing I already have. Guess I'll be installing a small one tomorrow.
_________________
Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat
Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
otis_bartleh
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Burlington, WA
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| kenshapiro2002 wrote: |
| OK...got the WW seal and yes...it's VERY small...much smaller than stock. I called them and they said they work fine. The guy I spoke to said he did a set of six a month ago, and they are a bitch to install but work and have worked for years. Anyway, just ordered one from Bustorations and one from WCM. As soon as they arrive I'll take a picture and write up a review. |
Yeah, the WW ones do work, but like I mentioned, opening the windows starts to pull the seal from the frame. I don't understand the "bitch to install"... They are so small they are easy to get in the frame by hand...
I also have one from Bustoration going in when I get another latch, and the one from Bustoration is a WCM iirc...
_________________
-Adam
'59 Mango Bus
'69 Bug - Cobalt Blue |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kenshapiro2002
Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2013
Posts: 1826
Location: Bawlmer Hon
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
OK...got the WW seal and yes...it's VERY small...much smaller than stock. I called them and they said they work fine. The guy I spoke to said he did a set of six a month ago, and they are a bitch to install but work and have worked for years. Anyway, just ordered one from Bustorations and one from WCM. As soon as they arrive I'll take a picture and write up a review.
_________________
Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat
Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kenshapiro2002
Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2013
Posts: 1826
Location: Bawlmer Hon
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 4:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Anybody used any of the aftermarket window frames themselves? What's the experience with them?
_________________
Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat
Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
otis_bartleh
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Burlington, WA
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| kenshapiro2002 wrote: |
| Doing my pop outs now, ... the ones that go on the outside of the pop outs. Using only WW seals and they are excellent. |
You're lucky. I used WW seals for this, and mine suck. They are so loose in the frame that opening and closing the pop-out can pull the seal from the grooves. I was able to put the seal in the frame by hand, and they just shake around in there...
_________________
-Adam
'59 Mango Bus
'69 Bug - Cobalt Blue |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
earlywesty
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 2378
Location: In the woods, Ontario
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 4:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| crofty wrote: |
| Braukuche wrote: |
Given the amount of experience here and the need for good info, wouldn;'t it be nice if there were a sticky detailing people's experience with various aftermarket seals and other restoration parts so we would all know where to go to buy the best? For example, it seems that one vendor may sell the best doglegs but their competition sells the best belly pans, etc etc etc. It takes copious amounts of searching to find info so the same questions get asked over and over. |
The problem is that the manufacturers will start posting about how their product is better than so and so's and vice versa and it all falls to crap soon afterward. Look at the Autocraft Vs. Klassic Fab thread. For every guy that posts actual experience with the product you get 20 blow hard, ass kissers praising how great it is that the parts are available and the manufacturer walks across water on his way to work everyday.
If you could eliminate that crap it would be a great thread to have. |
Hear, hear! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kenshapiro2002
Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2013
Posts: 1826
Location: Bawlmer Hon
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Doing my pop outs now, but not replacing any glass to frame seals, just the ones that go on the body and the ones that go on the outside of the pop outs. Using only WW seals and they are excellent.
_________________
Looking for a correct 1967 rear seat
Looking for '67 Engine / Block HO 183xxx - HO 194xxx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Twisted
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2003
Posts: 205
Location: Tennessee
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I just checked the WCM web site, and it shows they have none of the glass to frame seals in stock.....
_________________
'67 13 window dlx.
If you're off the Bus, you're not on the Bus...... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ricekooker
Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2006
Posts: 1790
Location: Sanford, FL
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Mr. Twisted wrote: |
| Douglas Denlinger wrote: |
WCM, inner poput to glass seal have always been right on the $
The WBW have been this way for quite a while, unfortunately. |
And that may be the difference in these two seals, I remember running into this when i first did these seals years back. One suppler was way wrong, the other was spot on. I even did an article for Hot VW's on the restoration process. I'll order one from WCM and see what I get.....I'll be happy to post the results... |
Please update this thread with your findings. I have 6 new WBW seals that I just received that will be headed back to them if they are that far off. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Twisted
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2003
Posts: 205
Location: Tennessee
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Douglas Denlinger wrote: |
WCM, inner poput to glass seal have always been right on the $
The WBW have been this way for quite a while, unfortunately. |
And that may be the difference in these two seals, I remember running into this when i first did these seals years back. One suppler was way wrong, the other was spot on. I even did an article for Hot VW's on the restoration process. I'll order one from WCM and see what I get.....I'll be happy to post the results...
_________________
'67 13 window dlx.
If you're off the Bus, you're not on the Bus...... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crofty
Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000
Posts: 19825
Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Braukuche wrote: |
Given the amount of experience here and the need for good info, wouldn;'t it be nice if there were a sticky detailing people's experience with various aftermarket seals and other restoration parts so we would all know where to go to buy the best? For example, it seems that one vendor may sell the best doglegs but their competition sells the best belly pans, etc etc etc. It takes copious amounts of searching to find info so the same questions get asked over and over. |
The problem is that the manufacturers will start posting about how their product is better than so and so's and vice versa and it all falls to crap soon afterward. Look at the Autocraft Vs. Klassic Fab thread. For every guy that posts actual experience with the product you get 20 blow hard, ass kissers praising how great it is that the parts are available and the manufacturer walks across water on his way to work everyday.
If you could eliminate that crap it would be a great thread to have.
_________________
Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
| HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
