Car weather stripping or extrusion rubber profiles are integral components of every vehicle. Like other vehicle parts, car weather stripping also requires replacement and maintenance. However, the replacement period is less frequent than that of other vehicle components. Usually, the standard time for car weather stripping replacement is approximately after every 20 years.
There are so many types of car weather stripping. Knowing all these stripping types and their respective places is necessary for every vehicle owner. Therefore, we came up with this article that includes types of car weather stripping and their respective positions on the vehicle, typical car weather stripping defects, and DIY replacement procedures.
Automotive weatherstripping positions
Automotive weather stripping or car rubber seal strips protect drivers and passengers from unfavorable weather. Car weather stripping fills the gap between vehicle components, preventing air, water, and dust particles from entering. These strips make the car’s inside environment comfortable. Car weather stripping also helps in fuel economy.
The importance of car weather stripping in the automotive industry is enormous. There is no vehicle created on this planet that has no stripping seals. On the other hand, the automotive weather stripping design and size varies based on different types of cars, such as SUVs, sedans, crossovers, convertibles, coupes, and minivans. Each seal strip gets a unique name and shape based on its respective installation place. Moreover, the vehicle parts’ positions also divide the types of car weather stripping.
Car door rubber seal
There are four doors in typical private cars. Each entry has these seal strips with the vehicle’s door and the body. In this case, some vehicles may have two layers of sealing. These car weather strippings help prevent dirt and moisture from entering the cabin. Various fastening types of car door rubber seals include clips and adhesive tapes.
Car window seal strips
A typical private car has four windows: door, vent, and front and rear. Each of the windows requires a specific type of seal strip. Specifically, all these windows need six different car window seal strips: roof rail seal strips, vent window seals, beltline window sweeps, window channel seals, and front and rear window seals. “Car Window Seal Strips: A Basic Guide” from the seashore rubber blog describes car window seals’ fundamentals.
Hood and trunk seals
Hood seals fill the space between the car’s front hood and the engine compartment. On the other hand, truck seals fill the gap between the car’s back trunk hood and the trunk space. The importance of these seals is enormous. They keep the engine compartment safe from the external environment.
Cowl seals
Cowl Seals fill the space between the vehicle’s firewall and the rear part of the front hood. The primary function of these car weather stripping is to prevent fumes, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the vehicle’s cabin.
Others
In some of the vehicles, there is a window on top of the roof. To seal this window, sunroof seals are the most common. Besides, there are other car weather stripping seals: SUV bedside seals, inner and outer header seals, etc.
Car Weather Stripping Defects Symptoms
Let’s say your car is not 20 years old or more. But still, you do not feel comfortable while driving your vehicle. In this case, you will feel uncomfortable going if your car has weatherstripping issues. Let’s say you don’t know precisely where the problems are.
However, we have prepared some typical defect symptoms below to make it easy for you to understand the respective defects. If you face these symptoms, you can ensure that there’s a problem with the weather stripping in your vehicle.
Noise
While you were driving, did you hear excessive noise from the road? On the other hand, did you hear the whirring sound of the wind? If yes, there’s an obvious problem with the car weather stripping. If that noise suddenly becomes louder, you should immediately replace the automotive weather stripping.
You might hear other types of sounds: rattling and whistling. Rattling sound is the common cause of window channel seal defects. On the other hand, the whistling sound is the common cause of window trim channel defects. Replacing the car weather stripping can resolve these noise problems.
Water leaks
Have you felt about wetness around the windows and doors in your car? It is the most common symptom of car weather stripping defects. The water may come inside while driving in the rain due to defective weather stripping. These water droplets might make a damp area, leaving a smell over time. Moreover, you may also find moist water inside the trunk.
If you find these water damps or wetness problems, you should replace the seal strip as soon as possible. If you fail to replace them, the water damps might form mold and cause many health issues for you and the passengers.
Temperature Issue
It is also one of the most commonly defective car weather stripping symptoms. The primary role of car weatherstripping is to air-tighten the gap between the vehicle’s body parts so that the inside temperature remains constant. If you still feel hot or cold even if the AC is on, there’s an obvious issue with the automotive weather stripping.
This type of situation creates pressure on the vehicle’s air conditioner. If you fail to replace the seal strip, the air conditioner might stop working due to overload. Besides, the car battery may also lose its lifelong stability.
Others
Cracks or holes on the seal and stiffy seal are the other symptoms you might face. Usually, the new car rubber seal strips have no cracks or holes. If the car window seal has holes and gaps visible to the eyes, you should replace the seal strip as soon as possible.
On the other hand, if the car weather strip is not soft or doesn’t bounce back if you poke it, it is evident that this weatherstrip is old or faulty.
DIY Car Weather Stripping Replacement Process
Replacing rubber seals on a vehicle is easy and quick if you know these steps. If you face any of the above defective seal strip symptoms, immediately change the car weather stripping. By the way, we have prepared a DIY replacement procedure below.
1. Remove the defective automotive weather stripping
Remove the defective seal strip from the specified place using a flathead screwdriver. Before removing the strip, ensure you have enough space. Otherwise, you might make some scratches on the car. However, gently remove all the pieces of the defective seal. Finally, ensure none of the rubber pieces is left.
2. Clean the glued portion
Use good-quality adhesive removers to clean the glued portion. In this case, the adhesive removers you will use should specialize in cleaning surfaces and protecting them from moisture. After that, rub the surface using a rag. Continue rubbing until the metal surface is clean. Finally, use a paper towel to wipe off the place.
3. Sand the metal frame
Sand the metal frame after washing it to provide a smooth, clean surface for the new automotive weather stripping. This step is crucial to installing or replacing new weather stripping. The same weather stripping problem will appear if the surface needs smoother and cleaner. In this case, fine-grit sandpaper is a must.
4. Add adhesives
Seal adhesive is a glue-like substance that binds the metal frame and the car weather stripping. Before adding the adhesive, it’s better to check the rubber seal size. After ensuring the rubber seal fits nicely, add the adhesives to the metal surface. In addition, also add a thin layer of adhesive on the seal strip surface.
5. Install the new automotive weather stripping
Please wait for 5 to 6 minutes after applying the adhesive to allow it to harden slightly. Next, start laying the seal strip from the corner and work your way around to the opposite side. Ensuring there are no gaps between the strip and frame is essential. To ensure the seal strip is sufficiently linked with the metal frame, press down on the rubber seal one last time.
6. Add a layer of protection
It is essential to ensure the rubber seal won’t corrode further once mounted on the metal frame. To do that, use a silicone lubricant capable of withstanding temperatures between -35 and 200 degrees Celsius and shielding the rubber from moisture and dust.
How much does it cost to replace weather stripping on a car?
A typical private car costs $150 – $800 to replace the car weather stripping. This price range depends on the type of car rubber seal strips you are changing and the type of replacement method. If you can change the seal strip on your own, the price will be lower.
On the other hand, if you need more confidence to do DIY replacing, you want to take your to a qualified repair service station, and then the price will change accordingly. Moreover, The car weather stripping replacement cost depends on the vehicle model and age.
Summary
Car weather stripping is an integral part of every vehicle. This seal strip protects the vehicle’s functional components and protects the driver and passenger from a harsh environment. Therefore, proper maintenance is necessary to maintain the quality of the weather stripping.
Noise, water leaks, temperature, and quality issues are the common symptoms of a defective car weather stripping. If you face these symptoms, we recommend changing the seal strip immediately. The DIY replacement process is simple and easy. If you need more confidence, you can also look for an expert.
Above all, whether you are a retail or wholesale seller, you can talk to our seal strip experts to know more about the types and sizes of car weather stripping.