"Rubber" in a can

[Lew Barrett]

When all else fails, ask here.

My wife's car (Miata) has a door seal that is failing in just one spot where it contacts the front of the window...it's a single contact point. The seals are $150 each, and we would need two of them (both sides are starting).

It would probably help if I took a picture, but I think I can explain.
When I looked at them I though damn, I could mold them back to health if I could think of the exactly correct "rubber in a can" that would adhere to the existing seal and would allow me to form it to correct shape.

You know....certain of the Sikaflex products come to mind....but I am wondering....any suggestions for a "forming" material that will dry in a reasonable time and help to extend a door seal? It would be useful if it were a little more like "moldable" than the usual stuff that comes out of a tube so that you could form it to shape, adhere it and have a hope it might set up and stay put.

Should I just go ahead and buy the damn seals? It's irking me that for want of a small area of wear I have to replace the entire seal!

[Thorne]

How long can you not operate the doors? Like you, I'd be tempted to use either Sitaflex or some of the commercial auto seal goo products, but you'll need to put clingwrap on the seal so it won't stick to the other part of the door -- and give it time to cure.

[Nicholas Carey]

If you go to an art store (Daniel Smith's, next door to Crosscut Hardwoods, or the University Bookstore), they should have liquid latex. It gets used for doing things like moldmaking, lifemolds, etc.

Here's one brand:

http://www.artmolds.com/category28.cfm

Depending on what you get, it can just be brushed on and built up in layers.

Might do the trick.

Only downside I can think of is I don't know how well latex holds up to UV light...but for car door weatherstripping, it should spend most of its life out of the sun, I think.

Hmmm...same company makes a 2-part silicone for life casts that's "skin-safe":

http://www.artmolds.com/product_details.cfm?product_id=204&page=0&cat_name=Molding%20Supplies&u_cat=24

[goodbasil]

Your wise to ask here first Lew.
For every 10 responses, you'll get 11 differant solutions.

[MiddleAgesMan]

Most of the material I've seen used for weather stripping is spongy and full of air. While Sikaflex and the like might be formable to take the correct shape it won't have any air in it and will react to pressure differently. You'd have to decide--shape it with the rest of the strip relaxed or shape it, cover with something like strapping tape, then close the doors so it can take the shape of the stripping while compressed. Neither method seems very good to me but of the two the second one has a better chance of succeeding, IMO.

Another possible solution would be to find something off the shelf that has some portion of it that comes close to the shape of the worn area then "scarph" in a small section.

[Lew Barrett]

All good ideas; scarphing. Hadn't thought of that!

I am going to try some of these suggestions because.....well they are cheaper than buying the seals straight off!

[JimConlin]

McMaster has a considerable variety of rubber weatherstrips and 3M has a goo for anything (http://www.shop3m.com/60455029953.html?utm_term=3m+weatherstrip+adhesive&WT.medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1288&WT.term=3m+weatherstrip+adhesive&utm_content=507828724&utm_source=google&WT.mc_id=shop3m-ppc-google-1288-Adhesives&WT.campaign=1288&utm_medium=cpc&WT.content=507828724&WT.source=google&cshift_ck=1666779709cs507828724&WT.srch=1).

[The Bigfella]

Sorry mate, the Miata has obviously had it. Time to buy her a Boxster.

btw, do you remember the original Miata advert in the US? The one with the grannie driving it, and the car airborne? It was taken by a guy who is (or was) a wooden boat owner. I met him on a trip to Florida in the early 90's and had a quick look at his boat... lovely.

[TimmS]

Maybe try adding goo, cover it in waxed paper and shut the door? That would be an excellent way to mold the shape

Edit: Sorry Thorne, I should have read the replies more carefully.

[The Bigfella]

Hey Lew... go to this site...

http://www.bradmiller.com/

take a look under "portfolios" at "automotive"

his "boating" shots are worth a look too

[Woxbox]

Might it be possible to shim it up from underneath with thick stuff instead of trying to cap it with spongy stuff?

[S/V Laura Ellen]

Car weatherstripping is a very harsh environment (sun, rain, heat, cold, salt, grime and flexing). If a product isn't specifically designed to do the job, then the repair probably won't last long. Just my opinion, YMMV. (I've been wrong before.)

[Soundman67]

there is stuff out there to dip your tools into to give them a rubber handle. supposedly just dip the tool and then hang to dry. I wonder how well something like that might work to coat over your rubber door gaskets.

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(sx2qm3yqx2h5u02zdck3to31)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=13275

doug

[Rob Stokes, N. Vancouver]

Is the seal at all hollow? I've had luck filling a hollow seal (trunk seal in my case) with latex caulk (not too much!) to "plump it up" and re-create a seal.

[Nicholas Carey]

There's also a trip to the "auto recycling" yard to see if they can locate the right weatherstripping.

[webb601]

Here are some aftermarket sites for the weather stripping:

http://www.metrommp.com/

http://www.thecliphouse.com/

[Baltimore Lou]

How about finding a place on the door that is a trailing lower edge, where there is less chance of water intrustion and cutting out a piece that could be scarphed in to your bad section. Use "Shoe Goo" available at REI and other outdoor stores (for repairing shoe soles, etc. - pretty harsh environment!) to secure your splice in to the repaired spot.

[Lew Barrett]

Several good ideas here! Hey Ian, I think she would prefer a Cayman :D

I should take a picture.....the piece is not hollow, rather is s shaped. The miata has a non-opening quarter/vent window forward and it is at the upper junction of that area just where the top meets it and the A pillar that the seals have failed. Common, it seems.

The Miatas are tough (and relatively simple) but they have small issues as all these things do. I was able to repair a bad convertible top latch rather than buy a new one...that too was a common failure. This one? Not so sure,, but I y'all have confirmed for me the course I'll try. Nothing ventured, etc.

[Vinny&Shawn]

All good ideas; scarphing. Hadn't thought of that!

I am going to try some of these suggestions because.....well they are cheaper than buying the seals straight off!

Junk yard molding from wrecked car,I use black silicon from an auto supply to mold and repair items like yours.

[Lew Barrett]

There you go. It's been so rainy here, we're just letting the Miata fill up, then taking baths in it!

As soon as it dries.....

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Is 150 bucks from the Mazda dealer? Is it available as as an aftermarket? Patching weather stripping is like pushing a string uphill in my experience, but I would shop that weatherstripping hard. What year is the car? Is it the stripping around the windows on the top?

[Lew Barrett]

2000 Miata; haven't shopped the seals. They are on the door; big one piece seal.
I suspect it's a known failure point because both of them are going in the same place. Good idea Peter; there may be an aftermarket. On the other hand, this price could be for the aftermarket seals :D

[SchoonerRat]

I've had good luck with Moss Motors for parts for my Miata.

They have door seals for about $95

http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/SearchResults.aspx?SearchText=seal&WebCatalogID=0

Look at page 3.

[Lew Barrett]

Good link SR! Gracias!

They go back....Moss Motors I mean.

[SchoonerRat]

You're quite welcome!

I've had a couple of Miatas over the past 10 years or so. There are three others in my circle of friends. We have all relied on Moss to keep them running and looking good.