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Wellington
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 2015
Location: Montreal
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 Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 3:18 am Post subject: window seals |
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Possibly 10 years ago I had all the windows out (except doors) and replaced the chrome strip that sits in the groove, long painstaking job. Yesterday I noticed the "chrome" is starting to show its age again, tiny spots of discoloration. Since my Westy is garaged when not in use, I'm very disappointed.
So I'm thinking about going to the no groove/chrome strip style of window seal.
Yes I've heard of people simply pulling the chrome strip out, not for me.
Anyone have an opinion on the best seals available? My present ones are factory original and not degraded. I just want to do the job one and be done.
Door chrome is very nice, but I would likely go chrome less to make all match.
Yup, likely gonna cost a few $$, but what doesn't on these vehicles. |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 10281
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 11:33 am Post subject: Re: window seals |
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| Wellington wrote: |
| ...Yes I've heard of people simply pulling the chrome strip out, not for me... |
Any particular reason why you wouldn't go this route? I pulled that chrome strip about 15 years ago and everything's still secure. I think it was just cosmetic, not a locking trim like some vehicles use. You have to look very closely to even tell that there's a groove there.
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dougnlina 
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2016
Posts: 314
Location: San Francisco, CA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: window seals |
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Did a windows out paint job two years ago, AT THAT TIME I found that the seals sold by Bus Depot seemed to be the best, and they are holding up very nicely, but as usual, YMMV...
DP
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"Grover" a '87 Syncro Poptop 1.8T
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"Wilbur" '69 Camper (retired)
"Bernice" 67 Beetle, My first love, (Also Retired) |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17898
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: window seals |
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got all my seals from WCM during the great pandemic. all were really nice BUT hated the windshield seal (too "blocky" and didn't look like the OE seals on the exterior profile)
I have a new "correct" windshield seal, just haven't had time to swap it yet
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 10106
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: window seals |
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| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| Wellington wrote: |
| ...Yes I've heard of people simply pulling the chrome strip out, not for me... |
Any particular reason why you wouldn't go this route? I pulled that chrome strip about 15 years ago and everything's still secure. I think it was just cosmetic, not a locking trim like some vehicles use. You have to look very closely to even tell that there's a groove there. |
The trim is indeed just cosmetic and is not 'locking trim'. If concerned about maintaining the shape of the seal with the chrome trim removed, you can also install window screen spline into the groove and then use a bit of black caulk to seal the grove. At that point, they would be functionally the same as non-trim seals and visually very darn close, but getting there would be a whole lot easier and less expensive than replacing all the seals. Many shops or glass companies might not be willing to do that, though, so that might not be an option for someone who lacks the skills or inclination to do it themselves.
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I am a high-functioning autistic into VW diesels and Vanagons along with other things that are unrelated to this site. |
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Wellington
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 2015
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 2:22 am Post subject: Re: window seals |
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I guess you could say because of my OCD. My van is very nice, and I like things right is the reason I would not be happy to simply rip out the chrome strip and call it done.
Skills, what is the "correct" front windshield seal you found?
Bus depot does list OEM VW made in Germany, interesting. Way back when I had a Beetle, West Coast Metric was the really good, is that still the case? |
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uberaudi
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 647
Location: Hi-top Country
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| Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 7:13 am Post subject: Re: window seals |
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Any replacement window seal won't be exactly like the oem in fit or finish. Sure they work fine, but nothing is like the original. With the chrome strip removed, the seal basically 'closes up' and the gap disappears over time. You could always pull a side and see how you like it. No foul if you're going to be replacing them with inferior seals anyways.
Here's a BusDepot replacement
And a factory pulled trim. The 'gap' is smaller than the pic highlights.
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colins84
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2012
Posts: 96
Location: Newport Beach, CA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2025 7:21 am Post subject: Re: window seals |
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Hey Wellington, I feel the same way… I have a bit of the OCD in me too.
I just had my glass guy over on Monday to help me reinstall all windows with new German seals w/o groove from GoWesty. My glass guy is who used to service the Vanagon shop in Costa Mesa California that closed down last year.
He told me that these seals were very nice. Some of the other types of seals, he has to trim to make them fit correctly.
I did all windows except for the driver and passenger doors for now.
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