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JoelH
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2003
Posts: 1343
Location: North Dakota
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 2811
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 Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2024 11:09 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| I have some thirty plus ( maybe even forty years by now) year old WCM rubber in my Bug, still nice, pliable, like new. great stuff. |
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wdfifteen
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2019
Posts: 634
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2024 6:02 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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I tried to install the windshield seal for my '65 beetle that I got from Wolfsburg West and finally gave up. I know a lot of people have had success with their seals, but I could not get it to stay on the glass.
I ordered a seal from West Coast Metric and had the windshield installed in under an hour.
I still have the WW seal. It has some dish soap residue on it, but you can have it for the cost of shipping. PM me if you want to try it. |
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slave1pilot
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2010
Posts: 1047
Location: Yuba City CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2024 7:16 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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THis has been my struggle for the last week.
I have WCM seals and spent 10 hours just to get one rear quarter window installed with the chrome trim. I fought the other side the next day with no success.
I heated the seals in the sun (over 100 degrees that day) , used nothing between the rubber and the glass, used silicone on the chrome trim, and then dish soap to install in the car using the thin rope technique.
I finally gave up and ordered a new set of seals and trim from Wolfsburg West that should arrive tomorrow.
I'll try those out this weekend and update
_________________
My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2010
Posts: 1047
Location: Yuba City CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 8:30 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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I forgot to update.
The new seals from WW were easy peasy.
The front windshield went right in without issue.
The rear glass took a couple tries cuz it kept slipping out from too much soap
and the side window was still a bear, but went in after a few tries.
very happy with them.
_________________
My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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Kafer_Mike
Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Noblesville, IN
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| Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 11:31 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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Nice!!!
_________________
Kafer_Mike
Build 'em fast...or let 'em sit. |
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pastellgreen
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2012
Posts: 1093
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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Not nice!
For my 1961 bug I ordered Westcoast Metric rubber for all windows, after reading all these kind words for their stuff on this forum. The material itself seemed fine but I was absolute not happy after install as the lip aside the chrome trim appeared to be wider than original - I measured additional 3 mm! This way, the rubber looks too wide, it doesn't look stock.
After many years experience and my work at a part supplier for the scene, I can recommend:
https://kaeferland-shop.de/Karosserie/Dichtungen/Dichtungen-Fenster/
They have their own exclusive manufacturer. I know their rubber since 2007. It looks stock, it is easy to install and I never saw any hardned rubber or cracks.
Last edited by pastellgreen on Tue Nov 26, 2024 1:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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slave1pilot
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2010
Posts: 1047
Location: Yuba City CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 1:13 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| Kafer_Mike wrote: |
| Nice!!! |
Thanks
The difference between WW and stock notwithstanding, I appreciate the compliment.
Sure the WW seals are slightly wider, but it's not a deal breaker for me.
Shipping costs from Germany to the US is a deal breaker for me personally.
_________________
My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3481
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| pastellgreen wrote: |
Not nice!
For my 1961 bug I ordered Westcoast Metric rubber for all windows, after reading all these kind words for their stuff on this forum. The material itself seemed fine but I was absolute not happy after install as the lip aside the chrome trim appeared to be wider than original - I measured additional 3 mm! This way, the rubber looks too wide, it doesn't look stock.
After many years experience and my work at a part supplier for the scene, I can recommend:
https://kaeferland-shop.de/Karosserie/Dichtungen/Dichtungen-Fenster/
They have their own exclusive manufacturer. I know their rubber since 2007. It looks stock, it is easy to install and I never saw any hardned rubber or cracks. |
Looks like no one carries the correct rubber for a 111-112, or 115-116 anyone out there know where to get some? |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3481
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| slave1pilot wrote: |
I forgot to update.
The new seals from WW were easy peasy.
The front windshield went right in without issue.
The rear glass took a couple tries cuz it kept slipping out from too much soap
and the side window was still a bear, but went in after a few tries.
very happy with them.
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To install the rear window. With the rear side windows out use a piece of 8" thick curved foam 12" wide 24" long, use a 1" wide ratcheting tie down strap across the foam (foam in the middle of glass) and threw the rear window openings. cinch down the strap and watch the rubber bulge over the pinch weld in the inside and pull the strings. One man job and ten minutes. Front windshield the same idea but using a flat piece of styrofoam instead and cinch through the "A" pillars with the doors open. To prevent channel rusting silicone on the rubber and the widow channel, will repel water indefinitely whereas soap and water will eventually dry out. |
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Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 4569
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| Helfen wrote: |
| Looks like no one carries the correct rubber for a 111-112, or 115-116 anyone out there know where to get some? |
I guess the closest you can get is to use the so-called "Cal look" rubber, yeah? Sounds like you're looking for rubber without the trim groove.
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)
| cory464 wrote: |
| if you aren't perfectly centered in the hole you will have issues when you tap it. |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3481
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| Busstom wrote: |
| Helfen wrote: |
| Looks like no one carries the correct rubber for a 111-112, or 115-116 anyone out there know where to get some? |
I guess the closest you can get is to use the so-called "Cal look" rubber, yeah? Sounds like you're looking for rubber without the trim groove. |
Yes, but Cal Rubber is not only cheap in quality, it is bulbus instead of concave in the center. Fifty-one years ago, I was working at a dealer in Redondo Beach as a line and later a unit repair mechanic and one of my fellow mechanics was Loren Pearson. Later when Loren founded West Coast Metric, I asked him to produce that type of rubber molding, but he never got around to doing it. See the rear quarter below in the link.
http://veedub.pl/wp-content/uploads//2016/06/DSC0595.jpg |
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Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 4569
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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Yes, been a while since I paid attention to it, but I do recall the bulbous profile of the Cal rubber.
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)
| cory464 wrote: |
| if you aren't perfectly centered in the hole you will have issues when you tap it. |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3481
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:34 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| Busstom wrote: |
| Yes, been a while since I paid attention to it, but I do recall the bulbous profile of the Cal rubber. |
Also, there is a difference how the rubber ends are joined. The Cal rubber is butt joined and is very noticeable.
The factory rubbers for the Standard model, Standard Custom and 1200"A" and the 1200"A" Custom are joined at a 45-degree angle and the seam is hardly noticeable. |
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67ctbug
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2016
Posts: 3666
Location: CT
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| Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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I feel like saying all Cal-Look rubber is poor quality is wrong. Have you checked some of the offerings from VEWIB? I was happy with their window rubbers.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016
| KentPS wrote: |
...or the PO envied the terrorists' bus in "Back to the Future".  |
| mukluk wrote: |
| He's fine, just waiting for the dragon in winklepickers to move out of his lane. |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3481
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| 67ctbug wrote: |
| I feel like saying all Cal-Look rubber is poor quality is wrong. Have you checked some of the offerings from VEWIB? I was happy with their window rubbers. |
They don't show real pictures for a proper evaluation. |
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pastellgreen
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2012
Posts: 1093
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 1:57 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| Helfen wrote: |
| pastellgreen wrote: |
Not nice!
For my 1961 bug I ordered Westcoast Metric rubber for all windows, after reading all these kind words for their stuff on this forum. The material itself seemed fine but I was absolute not happy after install as the lip aside the chrome trim appeared to be wider than original - I measured additional 3 mm! This way, the rubber looks too wide, it doesn't look stock.
After many years experience and my work at a part supplier for the scene, I can recommend:
https://kaeferland-shop.de/Karosserie/Dichtungen/Dichtungen-Fenster/
They have their own exclusive manufacturer. I know their rubber since 2007. It looks stock, it is easy to install and I never saw any hardned rubber or cracks. |
Looks like no one carries the correct rubber for a 111-112, or 115-116 anyone out there know where to get some? |
why don't give them a try?
Here a screenshot from a set of standard rubber in very good quality, stock look, price includes the shipment to USA.
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McFunzeepants
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2015
Posts: 131
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 8:29 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| 67ctbug wrote: |
| I feel like saying all Cal-Look rubber is poor quality is wrong. Have you checked some of the offerings from VEWIB? I was happy with their window rubbers. |
Who's VEWIB's distributor in the US? I have the hardest time finding their products.
Thanks Antoine for Kaeferland! |
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Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 4569
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 9:56 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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Just judging by those illustrations, those are not anything like OE rubbers ^^^
Those are bulbous round profiles. That would be an expensive "try."
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)
| cory464 wrote: |
| if you aren't perfectly centered in the hole you will have issues when you tap it. |
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pastellgreen
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2012
Posts: 1093
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 11:12 am Post subject: Re: best quality window rubber |
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| Busstom wrote: |
Just judging by those illustrations, those are not anything like OE rubbers ^^^
Those are bulbous round profiles. That would be an expensive "try." |
Those illustrations don't show the real situation.
I would pass them an Email for a picture of the real look of the rubber.
The illustrations for the export rubber look the same, but in reality the rubber looks absolutely stock and is the best quality I know.
I once worked for another supplier for VW parts and know the rubber of all the supplier. Vewib, BBT, Brazil, ... WCM was the last one for me that was on the list for trying out. Until then I know wich rubber I want (and really have) on my car, and these are from Käferland's exclusive production. |
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