The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop door opening weather strip install questions

I am having trouble installing new weatherstripping on my 55.1. I got one in, but it took 2 hours and a wife to do it. There must be a better way. I am not doing the glue on strips on the door, but the strips that fit in the channel on the body at the door opening. I used vaseline and corn oil, but it is still a heckofa pull. I was stiff for 2 days. It was 60 degrees outside, and I wonder if that was a factor. Thanks - Scott

I used wd40 and they slid in well. make sure tht your channels are open enuff for tthem to slide thru also.over the years they get hit and pinched
Hope this helps some.

Alan

Pry the channel open just a little(A little goes a long way)all along the channel.Once you slide the rubber stripping in,bend/stake the channel over in several spots,say every 6 to 8 inches.

I found sliding 'em in a PITA, so I used a window screen spline roller (looks like a little pizza cutter) and pushed them in. Deburred the tool on the wire wheel so it was nice and smooth. Hooked one lip in, then pushed the other in - lickety split, piece of cake.

Interesting methods. I cut off a 1/2" piece of weatherstrip and have found several tight places missed with the naked eye. I think I'll try some methods you all mentioned. Thanks - Scott

I'm doing the same thing with my 52, yea,it's a PITA!! It's worth the cost for a can of spray silicone...alot less messy and actually good for the rubber. Good Idea with the screen roller Chuck...gonna try that route.

Chuck, I've seen an heard a lot of good advice on this page and I have to tell you, that is one of the best. I've installed more of those darn weather strips than you can shake a stick at, trust me I used to leave it until there was nothing left to do. Great stuff!

I finally got it done! Tried lubricants...It helped some. Tried the expensive window screen roller... helped little, maybe I didn't have the knack. There were no crimped areas on my channel but I bent it open a little bit. That really helped. I think the part that eluded me was that the whole channel was evenly crimped, making for a tight channel. Opened it up a little, slid the weaterstrip in and hammered it tight..a little. It went ok, but of course it was on the very last leg of this pita installation.

I used baby oil on mine. They are a royal PITA for sure. Opening up the channel might be an approach but I think it would take longer to do than just slathering the spline in baby oil and going for it.

hello all you weatherstrippers! i just got one side done on my 55.1. i feel like a new man. thanks to all for the great tips on wrestling with the ugly rubber snake.just don't tell my wife i used one of our butter knifes to push it in! good luck.