How to replace rubber seals on car windows
In older cars, with time, rubber seals around the windows and doors start to deteriorate. Often, the seal loosens and air gets trapped inside. Slowly, the entire seal starts to unravel and hangs down by the corner. This causes noise, water and dust to enter the car. This is when it’s useful to know how to replace rubber seals quickly and easily.
As the seal gets older, it shrinks in size, which is why it won’t simply fix back into place with a spot of glue. However, there’s another way to replace the rubber seal on your own, using WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant.
Things you will need
Flathead screwdriver
Sandpaper
Adhesive glue
Rubber seal
WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant
Step 1
Remove the old seal
When you want to replace rubber seals, start by opening your car door, so that you have more room to move around. Next, with a flathead screwdriver, remove the old rubber seal where it is already falling apart. Gently ease the rubber out and then pull it with your hands. Make sure that every piece of rubber has been removed.
Step 2
Clean away glue residue
There still might be some glue residue left behind in the seals, so start by cleaning that away first. You can use WD-40 multi-use spray to do this. This lubricant has been specifically created to clean all kinds of surfaces and prevents moisture from setting in. After applying the lubricant, use a rag to rub the surface, until you feel the metal is clean enough. Wipe off any WD-40 residue with paper towels.
Step 3
Sand the metal
A key step, if you want to replace rubber seals on car windows, is to provide the adhesive with a clean and even surface. So, the next step is to sand the metal thoroughly. Use a fine-grit sandpaper and start rubbing in circles. Try keeping your movements on the seals or you might ruin your car’s appearance. This step allows you to create a surface that is free of lumps and smooth enough that the rubber settles in the seals flawlessly.
Step 4
Apply new adhesive
A weather stripping adhesive is used to bond rubber with metal. Before laying down the adhesive in the seals, cut the rubber and dry fit it in the window. When you feel that with slight pressure, the rubber will sit nicely, only then apply the adhesive. Lay down a thin layer of adhesive in the seal and a bead of it inside the rubber.
Step 5
Put in the new rubber seals
Give the adhesive five to ten minutes to become a little hard and then, start laying down the rubber from the corner and gently move your way to the other corner by putting slight pressure. Make sure that there are no gaps in between, and don’t stretch the rubber.
Once the rubber is in place, press down on the entire strip once again to ensure that the rubber has bonded firmly to the metal.
Step 6
Apply a Layer of Protection with WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant
When you are done applying the rubber seal, it’s time to make sure that it won’t corrode easily as the last one did. WD-40 Specialist silicone lubricant helps keep rubber components safe. The lubricant can withstand temperature from -35°C to +200°C. The lubricant protects rubber parts from attracting dust and prevents moisture.
Give the rubber seals at least an hour to settle properly and then apply the lubricant. Use the smart straw to cover the corners and the seams so that it penetrates deeply. A single coat of this silicone lubricant can keep your car’s window’s seals soft and firm for a long time.
Conclusion
There are some mistakes to avoid if you want to replace rubber seals on your car windows most effectively:
- Some cars have plastic inserts in the door that has pins. Without any proper lubrication, these pins corrode easily and are what makes the rubber loose. So, don’t forget to replace these pins
- Most rubber seals are in L shape and need to be placed with the bigger surface facing in (this prevents water from coming inside the car)
- Do not close the doors immediately after applying the rubber seals. Give it at least an hour before taking out the car for a drive
- Do not use a screwdriver to press in the rubber. A windscreen fitter tool will do a much better job, as it is pointy end easily fits between the rubber and the frame
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