Weather stripping your car doors is an important maintenance task that can improve your driving comfort and save you money on costly repairs. Proper weather stripping seals the gaps around doors to block out wind, water, and noise. When weather stripping wears out, you may notice increased road noise, air leaks, or water getting into the cabin when it rains or snows. Replacing worn weather stripping can make your drive much more pleasant. In this article, we’ll discuss what types of weather stripping materials you can use on car doors and provide some tips for DIY installation.
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Common Types of Weather Stripping
There are a few main options when it comes to selecting weather stripping for your vehicle doors:
Rubber Seals
Rubber seals are a very common type of weather stripping used on vehicle doors. They have a rubbery consistency that allows them to conform to door edges and compress when the door closes to form a tight seal. Rubber seals come in long strips that can be trimmed to fit the exact length of your doors. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. Make sure to choose an automotive-grade rubber seal rather than a generic rubber strip, as it will withstand weathering better. Apply rubber cement to adhere the seals during installation.
Vinyl Seals
Vinyl is another popular material for weather stripping. Vinyl seals are a bit more rigid than rubber and typically have a plastic or metal spine inside to help hold their shape. The vinyl material resists shrinking and cracking better than rubber. Vinyl weather seals slide into channels along the door edges and often attach with adhesive or fasteners. They provide a very tight seal. Vinyl tends to be a bit more expensive than basic rubber stripping.
Flocked Seals
Some weather stripping features a soft rubber material with a flocked fabric lining on one side. The fuzzy fabric side adheres nicely to the painted metal door frame to prevent air leaks. The fabric also helps prevent the seal from sticking to the door when opening and closing. Flocked seals combine the flexible sealing properties of rubber with the non-stick benefits of fabric. This style tends to cost a little more than plain rubber.
Foam Seals
Foam weather stripping offers an inexpensive option for sealing doors. The foam compresses when the door closes and then expands back to fill the space. Foam strips typically have an adhesive backing for easy installation. Foam doesn’t last as long as rubber or vinyl seals and has a tendency to absorb and retain moisture over time. But foam seals can provide a quick fix if you’re on a tight budget. Opt for a closed-cell foam rather than open-cell.
Where to Place Door Weather Stripping
Proper placement is important when installing new weather stripping to get an effective seal. There are four main areas to address:
Door Frame Opening
The most common spot for weather stripping is around the door frame opening where the door sits when closed. Measure the height and width of the opening and cut your seal to fit. Make sure the thickness matches the gap; too thin and air will still leak through, too thick and the door will be hard to shut properly.
Window Frames
Don’t forget the movable windows in the doors. Running sealing around the window frames keeps wind and moisture from sneaking in around the edges. Measure each window to cut strips of foam or rubber tubing to fit tightly around each opening.
Door Edge
Applying a strip of weather stripping along the outer edge of the door itself will prevent leaks between the door’s edge and the body of the car. Use a style made for the door edge that has a wide base and thin sealing edge to allow the door to close properly.
Drain Holes
Most doors have small drain holes along the bottom to let trapped water drain out. Cover these with small pieces of weather stripping to keep wind out while still allowing drainage.
Installation Tips
Installing new weather stripping yourself can save you money compared to taking your car to a mechanic. Here are some tips for a successful DIY job:
– Thoroughly clean the door frame areas with rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner to remove dirt, oil, and old adhesive. This helps the new seal adhere properly.
– Test fit all seals before peeling off adhesive backing. Trim with sharp scissors or a utility knife for an exact fit.
– Take your time aligning the seal. Once adhesive sticks, it can be difficult to reposition.
– Use a roller tool or firm pressure with your fingers to adhere the seal fully and remove any bubbles or gaps.
– For compression seals, make sure you compress it adequately when positioning so it expands to the right thickness.
– Check that doors close, latch, and lock properly without catching after installing. Adjust seal placement if needed.
– Apply rubber cement, silicone sealant, or an automotive adhesive like VHB tape for the most durable hold.
Materials to Use
The best materials for DIY weather stripping are:
Automotive Rubber
Rubber seals made specifically for auto doors offer flexibility and long-lasting sealing. Opt for a dense rubber without air bubbles.
Vinyl Seals
For a rigid, snug seal, vinyl weather stripping slides into door frames nicely. Look for UV-resistant vinyl.
Closed-Cell Foam Tape
Foam tape makes for quick, inexpensive seals. Closed-cell is denser than open cell foam.
Flocked Tape
The fabric flocking adheres nicely to door frames while allowing the rubber to compress smoothly.
Butyl Sealing Tape
Butyl tape is a permanently sticky sealant that provides excellent adhesion with compression.
Avoid open-cell foam, inexpensive rubber like silicone tubing, and adhesive sprays. These won’t provide lasting seals. Spend a few extra dollars to get quality, long-lasting materials made for automotive weather stripping.
Conclusion
Keeping your vehicle’s doors properly sealed with quality weather stripping improves drivability and prevents damage from the elements. Rubber, vinyl, foam, and flocking are all good options. Measure door openings carefully, thoroughly clean installation surfaces, and take care aligning the seals for a tight fit. Following these steps allows you to upgrade your weather stripping yourself at just a fraction of the cost of paying a mechanic. Properly maintained weather stripping can last for many years and thousands of miles. Investing a little time and money into this important maintenance task will pay dividends through enhanced comfort and reduced repairs down the road.