HOW TO REPLACE CAR WINDOW & DOOR RUBBER SEALS WITH WD-40?
Do you have car windows & door rubber seals coming off?
Are you annoyed taking a ride in your car because the rides are getting noisier & draftier? Well, we have just the right solution for you. Replace your car door & window rubber seals. Over time, door & window rubber seals start to deteriorate due to several reasons. The seal loosens and, the air gets trapped inside. Slowly, the entire seal starts to unravel and hangs down by the corner. Sometimes, it breaks apart from the middle, giving your car an untidy look. Not only this, but the gaps between the seal allow noise, dust & water to come in the car, making your rides irritating & noisy.
People often resort to using a little glue and stick the seal right back into the frame. This solution will not work because the problem is not the loss of adhesive but the loss of shape of the seal. It occurs when the seal gets older and tends to shrinks in size and starts to pull away. Thus, you cannot fix it with glue. The best course of action is to easily replace the rubber seal on your own and use the WD-40 Specialist silicone lubricant to ensure that the rubber lasts for a long time.
Following is a step-by-step guide on how to remove your car’s window rubber seal and replace it with a new one:
Things you will need
Flathead Screwdriver
Sandpaper
Adhesive Glue
Rubber Seal
Step 1
Remove the Rubber with a Flathead Screwdriver
We recommend starting with the windows. Open the door of your vehicle so that you have more room to move around. With a flathead screwdriver, start removing the rubber from the place 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 from the frame so you can carry out the next step.
Step 2
Scrub the Glue with WD-40 Multi-Purpose Product
You might not find any adhesive left behind the seals but, there still might be some glue residue. You can clean it by using the WD-40 multi-use spray. This lubricant is designed to clean all kinds of surfaces and prevents moisture from setting in. Spray WD-40 Multi-use Product and allow it to work its magic. Take a rag and rub it vigorously until you feel the metal is clean enough. You can reapply the lubricant one more time if you feel the residue has not come off. Wipe off any remaining residue with paper towels.
Step 3
Sand the metal
The next step is to sand the metal thoroughly. The reason we do this is to provide the seal adhesive a clean and even surface. Use 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 free of lumps and smooth enough that the rubber settles in the seals flawlessly.
Step 4
Apply new adhesive
You use Weatherstripping adhesive to bond rubber with metal. Before applying the glue to 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 glue on the seal and a bead of it inside the rubber.
Step 5
Put in the new rubber seal
Give the adhesive five to ten minutes to harden. 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. In the end, apply pressure on the entire strip once again. It will ensure that the rubber has bonded firmly to the metal.
Step 6
Give the Rubber a Layer of Protection with WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant
After you finish applying rubber seals on the doors & windows, you need to do something to protect them from regular wear & tear. WD-40 Specialist Silicone lubricant helps keep rubber components safe. The Silicone lubricant can withstand temperatures from -35°C to +200°C and protects rubber parts from attracting dust and moisture.
Give the rubber seals at least an hour to settle before you apply the lubricant. A single coat of this silicone lubricant can keep your car’s window’s seals soft and firm for a long time.
Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Window Seals
- Some cars have plastic inserts in the door that has pins. Without any proper lubrication, these pins corrode and make the rubber loose. Therefore, don’t forget to replace these pins too.
- Most rubber seals are in L shape. Make sure you insert them so that the bigger surface is facing in (It prevents water from coming inside the car).
- Do not close the doors immediately after applying the rubber seals.
- 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.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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