Weather stripping is an important component on vehicles that helps seal out water, air, dust, and noise. It is made of rubber, foam, or vinyl and is installed around doors, windows, trunk lids, sunroofs, and any other place where two parts of the vehicle body meet. The technical terms for automotive weather stripping are “door seals”, “window seals”, or just “seals”. Weather stripping serves several key functions:
- Keeps the interior dry by sealing out rain and other moisture
- Prevents wind noise by sealing gaps around doors, windows, etc.
- Limits dust and dirt from entering cabin
- Provides insulation to maintain interior temperature
- Dampens exterior noise from entering passenger compartment
Over time, weather stripping can degrade, lose elasticity, crack, or separate from the vehicle. This allows water leaks, wind noise, and heat or AC loss. Replacing worn weather stripping is an important part of vehicle maintenance. New weather stripping can make doors close tighter, reduce wind noise, and improve climate control.
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Types of Automotive Weather Stripping
There are several common types of weather stripping found on vehicles:
Door Seals
Door seals run around the perimeter of each door and seal the gap between the door and door frame when closed. Door seals are typically made of rubber with interior flocking for increased sealing and friction. Common door seal designs include:
- Bulb seals – Hollow rubber bulbs running lengthwise along each edge of the door.
- Tub seals – Solid or hollow rubber tubes, usually found on bottom of doors.
- Fin seals – Thin fins of rubber that protrude horizontally from the door frame.
Window Seals
Window seals surround the perimeter of door, rear hatch, and trunk lid windows. They prevent water from entering around the edges of the glass. Window seals are made of rubber and have an interior lip that contacts the window.
Windshield and Backlight Seals
Thick rubber seals are placed between the windshield/backlight glass and the vehicle frame. In addition to sealing out water, they also provide bonding structural support. A pinchweld flange helps secure the seal to the body panels.
Hood and Trunk Seals
Soft rubber bulb seals run along the rear edge of hoods and front edge of trunk lids. When closed, the bulbs compress against the vehicle’s body panels to seal gaps and prevent rattling.
Pillar Seals
Pillar seals fill the gaps where the front and rear doors meet the A, B, and C pillars of the chassis. Pillar seals prevent moisture and debris from entering the vehicle cabin.
Sunroof Seals
Rubber seals around sliding and pop-up sunroof openings help seal out water when closed and prevent wind noise. Sunroof drains channel any moisture away.
Quarter Panel Seals
Seals fill the gaps between rear quarter panels and truck beds, tailgates, or hatchbacks. This prevents cabin noise and stops debris/moisture from entering through back of vehicle.
Weather Stripping Materials
Automotive weather stripping is primarily made from either rubber, foam, or vinyl materials:
Rubber
- Most common weatherstrip material
- Provides good sealing and noise insulation
- Made from rubber compounds mixed with plasticizers and stabilizers
- Usually has an interior flocking for increased friction
Foam
- Light, flexible, sponge-like material
- Can compress and rebound easily
- Does not perform as well as rubber for sealing
- Often used on very curved areas
Vinyl
- Made from plasticized PVC
- Lower cost alternative to rubber
- Does not seal or insulate as effectively
- Prone to cracking in very hot or cold climates
The material choice depends on the desired balance of cost, performance, and durability. Rubber weatherstripping provides the best sealing properties overall.
How Weather Stripping Works
Weather stripping creates a seal against the vehicle body through compression. When a door or trunk is shut, the weatherstrip gets pressed between the door/trunk panel and the body of the car. This compresses the rubber, foam, or vinyl material, causing it to spread outward and block gaps.
The sealing effectiveness depends on:
- Component design – Shape, thickness, and location of seals
- Contact pressure – How tightly the weatherstrip gets compressed
- Material resilience – Ability to conform to irregularities and rebound
- Friction surfaces – Flocking or coatings that increase grip against the mating surface
Over time, weatherstrips may lose their sealing capability as the material degrades, becomes brittle, or no longer holds the ideal shape. Replacement is required to restore an effective barrier against the elements.
Typical Weather Stripping Problems
- Cracked/torn seals – Allow air and water leaks. Need replacement.
- Loose seals – Open up gaps and holes. Need to be re-adhered or replaced.
- Flat, compressed seals – No longer effectively fill gaps. Need replacement.
- Hard, glazed seals – Have lost pliability and resilience. Need replacement.
- Missing seal sections – Open up gaps in the seal. Need repair or replacement.
Replacing Weather Stripping
Here are some tips for replacing worn or damaged weatherstripping on a vehicle:
Assess All Seals
Inspect all weatherstripping on doors, windows, and openings. Look for gaps, cracks, brittleness, holes, and overall condition. Identify any that need replacement.
Obtain Replacement Seals
Purchase new OEM factory seals for your vehicle make and model. For difficult to find seals, universal automotive weatherstrip Seal kits can also work.
Remove Old Seals
Use a putty knife to pry up and peel away any loose, cracked, or torn seals. For stubborn weatherstripping, heat it up with a hair dryer then slowly peel it away from the surface while warm. Clean any leftover adhesive residues.
Test Fit Replacement Seals
Hold the new seals in place and ensure they align correctly and make a continuous seal around the edge. Trim to size if needed.
Install New Seals
Reference a repair manual for the ideal installation method for each seal. They typically clip-in, glue-in, bolt-in, or press fit onto clean, dry surfaces. Take care not to stretch or distort the seal shapes.
Adjust Door Striker Plates
New thicker door seals can affect door closing and alignment. Adjust door striker plates accordingly so doors close smoothly and seals compress evenly.
Lubricate Seals
Use silicone grease on all seals to help them slide smoothly and improve sealing. Re-apply yearly. Avoid petroleum greases which can deteriorate rubber.
Proper installation is key for effective weather stripping seals. Overall, replacement can renew protection from the elements and reduce wind noise.
Cost of Replacing Weather Stripping
The costs to replace deteriorated weather stripping on a vehicle includes:
- Seal kit – $25-$250 depending on vehicle and number of seals
- DIY labor time – 2-5 hours
- Shop labor fees – $150-$400 for a full weatherstrip replacement
So for DIY repairs expect to pay $25-$250 for supplies. At a professional shop, total costs typically range from $200-$600 depending on labor rates and how many seals require work. Luxury and specialty vehicles are more expensive. Just replacing the door seals alone tends to run $150-$300 in total. Badly deteriorated seals that have leaked significantly may also require cleaning or replacing water-damaged interior components, adding more to the overall cost.
Cost Comparison of Weather Stripping Materials
| Material | Cost Per Foot |
| Rubber | $1.50-$4.00 |
| Vinyl | $0.75-$2.00 |
| Foam | $1.00-$2.50 |
Rubber is generally the most expensive seal material, but provides the best performance. Foam and vinyl cost less but may need to be replaced more frequently. When selecting replacement seals, use rubber for critical doors and openings, while vinyl or foam may work sufficiently on less important areas to save money.
Improving Efficiency of Doors & Seals
Beyond just replacing worn seals, there are some additional steps that can improve overall door and weatherstrip efficiency:
- Adjust striker plates and door hangers for proper alignment
- Grease hinges, locks, and moving components
- Clean and lubricate window channels
- Fix bent or damaged door flanges
- Wax paint around seals to reduce friction
- Check for obstructed drain tubes
Doors that operate smoothly exert even pressure on seals for better sealing. Keeping doors, openings, and seals well-maintained prevents premature wear and failures.
DIY vs Professional Weather Stripping Replacement
Vehicle owners can choose to replace weather stripping themselves or hire an auto body shop to do it. Here’s a comparison:
Doing It Yourself
- Lower cost – Only pay for parts
- Learn new skills
- Convenience of working at own pace
- Satisfaction of completing repairs yourself
Hiring a Professional
- Experts can install cleanly for optimal sealing
- Work is warrantied
- Technicians have right tools and experience
- Frees up your time for other tasks
For DIYers with some mechanical aptitude, weatherstrip replacement is totally feasible. Those less inclined may prefer paying for the labor. For older or complex vehicles, professional help can be beneficial.
Conclusion
In summary, automotive weather stripping provides crucial protection from water, noise, and temperature exchange. Common types include door seals, window seals, windshield seals, and pillar seals made from rubber, vinyl, or foam. Over time seals degrade and need replacement to restore proper function. Prices range from $200-$600 professionally but much less for DIY repairs. With some effort, vehicle owners can replace seals themselves and enjoy improved protection from the elements. Maintaining weather stripping is key for vehicle longevity.