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Tips on removing dry rotted window seals?
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Quintanamobay
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:00 pm    Post subject: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

Does anyone have any tips on removing old dry rotted window seals without breaking the window? My utility knife seems to struggle to cut that old rubber.
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SGKent Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

new blade maybe. Try cutting the inside as it will usually be softer. Make sure someone is there to catch it when you push Smile
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busdaddy
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:12 pm    Post subject: Re: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

Last AZ bus I did the outer sides of the seals were absolutely petrified, but the inner lip was still soft enough to cut. Try to cut along the top of the pinchweld, putting the knife down between the glass and seal risks scratching the paint in the window openings, although I'll bet there's a surprise lurking under there anyways.
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Quintanamobay
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

busdaddy wrote:
Last AZ bus I did the outer sides of the seals were absolutely petrified, but the inner lip was still soft enough to cut. Try to cut along the top of the pinchweld, putting the knife down between the glass and seal risks scratching the paint in the window openings, although I'll bet there's a surprise lurking under there anyways.


petrified Is a very accurate description for both the inside and out. What surprise could be lurking in there?

Do you know if any chemicals I can put on it to soften it up?
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busdaddy
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

I can't think of anything that will soften it without removing paint too, unless you want to wait weeks or months, maybe a heat gun on a smallish area and attack with the knife before it cools?. The inner lip is your best option, expect the paint to be lifted along the bottom horizontal edges of the window opening, if it's a desert bus it may not be too rusty, but count on more work than just cleaning and waxing before putting the windows back in.
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Manfred58sc
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 5:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

I've had good luck with "Contractors Solvent", its citrus based and 4-5 applications with a rag over 2 days softens it up. It won't hurt OG paint, not sure what it does to other paint types. Irwin utility blades are the best.
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KentABQ Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 5:46 am    Post subject: Re: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

Try using a linoleum knife...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-3-4-in-1-Blade-Utility-Knife/1003172494

It has a much stiffer blade and a curve. It's worked well for me.
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Wasted youth
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:14 am    Post subject: Re: Tips on removing dry rotted window seals? Reply with quote

I have used a putty knife on the outside to lever the seal away from the glass by slipping the broad blade of the knife between glass and rubber, then leaning it downward. It allowed me to grab the rubber with needle nose pliers and start pulling it outward, breaking it off in chunks.
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