How To Fix The Rubber Seal On A Car Door
Over time, the rubber seals around your windows and doors can begin to deteriorate. Cracks can appear, and joints can unravel leading to damage. This can allow water, dust, and car emissions into your car interior, making the cleaning process more bothersome. So, knowing how to carry out car rubber seal repair is important!
If you’re noticing these signs, it’s time to do some maintenance asap! Follow this handy guide to find out how to fix the rubber seal on a car door with ease.
Things you will need
Flat head screwdriver
Microfibre cloth
Fine grit sandpaper
Glue
New car seal
Step 1
Begin fixing the rubber car seals
To begin with, open all windows and doors in your car, so you have as much space as possible to manoeuvre around your rubber seals. Using a flat head screwdriver, gently work your way around the rim of the seal you are working on to detach it. Once you have removed a small part, you can continue to pull it away with your hands. Take caution if the rubber begins to crack, as this can make it more difficult to remove.
Step 2
Remove any glue residue
Now that you have removed the rubber, you need to remove any remaining glue residue. To do this, grab a bottle of WD-40® Multi-Use Product and shake it well. Spray the product over all of the affected area and allow it to penetrate the glue. After a few minutes, use a clean microfiber cloth to vigorously wipe the surface until no residue remains. For stubborn areas, reapply WD-40® product and repeat the steps until you are happier with the result.
When you are happy with the result, finish with a wipe using a clean paper towel to ensure no product remains.
Now that your surface is clean and glue free, we recommend lightly sanding the area before reapplying a new seal. Using a fine grit, gently sand the metal area where the seal will go, taking care to avoid damaging any paintwork. This will allow any remaining residue from the previous steps, too.
Step 3
Apply some new glue
Once your surface is clean and smooth, you have the perfect surface to place the glue down for your new seal. Before you add the glue, make sure that your new rubber seal fits the gap, or trim it accordingly.
Use the rim of the seal as a guide and apply your glue to the clean surface. You can also add a few dabs of glue to the seal itself, to make it extra secure.
Step 4
Add in your new rubber car seals
After applying the glue, allow it to set for a few seconds before applying the seal. Line up the seal and begin pressing it down firmly beginning in one corner and moving your way down to the opposite corner. Take care to ensure you don’t stretch the rubber, as this can lead to cracking further down the line.
Once you are happy with the alignment, press the entire seal again to fix it permanently. Avoid closing the door or window until the glue is fully dried and settled.
Step 5
Protect your new rubber car seals
To elongate the life of the seal, you can take steps to protect the rubber. WD-40® High Performance Silicone Lubricant is ideal for use on rubber materials. After you have allowed time for the glue to dry and settle, spray the entire rubber surface with WD-40® High Performance Silicone Lubricant, and wipe away with a clean microfiber cloth.
This step will protect the rubber from cracking and other damages caused by lack of moisture. You can repeat this action as many times as needed, and throughout the year when the weather conditions may cause further problems.
Now you know!
So, there you have it. Brand-new rubber seals to replace your old, damaged ones. We hope this blog was useful. If you would like to learn more ways WD-40® can help your car, check out our roundup of all the best uses. You can learn how to treat rust on your car, lubricate door hinges and more, all with the help of WD-40®!
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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