Around here [Wisconsin], the seals fail, not the adhesive. They come
off in chunks, typically beginning a couple of inches below the curve at
the top front of each side. Partly sunlight & ozone type cracking and
drying out, and made worse by seals sticking to door, "glued" by ice
when we have frozen rain, or when snow melts and re-freezes. It is
normal to have to climb in through opposite door, or through hatch to
get inside, a few times each winter, pretty much regardless of brand or
model of car or truck. Come home one evening with temperature of 30 -
35 and raining, and get up in the morning in low teens, and doors WILL
be frozen shut; handles may not operate, etc. After a few inches of
seal are lost, sound levels get worse, too. Even spraying surface with
PAM or other non-stick doesn't keep ice from serving as glue.
Ron
Adam Frank wrote:
Physically, the quality of the door seals is there, the rubber really holds
up and doesnt dry out or ever crack if you take care of it.
Over time, however, the adhesive that holds the seals along the door frame
weakens from the heat/cold and the rubber seal basically peels away and fall
off the door frame.
To solve my problem, what I did was use a silicone-based rubber adhesive
(similar to shoe-goo) to glue the seals back along the inside of the door
frame where they are supposed to be. Then shut the door to hold the seal in
proper position for drying overnight. I used silicone based glue becuase it
will always keep a rubbery-wet consitancy while providing a stong hold on
the door seal. Glues that dry out and harden to a rock are more likely to
crack and breakup when exposed to the elements, casuing the seals to fall
off again.
Did the trick for me :) You'd never know the seals were re-glued if I didnt
tell you.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Noriel" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 9:26 PM
Subject: [a2-16v-list] A2 Door and Window Seals
A source for replacement door and windows seals has been discussed on this
list before with little success in locating a source. Some dealers still
carry the items for our cars but aftermarket has fallen short. Parts that
are available have been expensive.
PAP Autoparts, one of the Vortex sponsors, is working with manufacturers
over seas to explore the idea of making replacement seals for our cars.
Prices have yet to be determined but there seems to be a high degree of
interest. Much more so than any other group-but scenarios that I've seen
in
the past.
Hopefully something comes of this
See the thread
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1819804
-Les
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