RyanEricW

------------------------- INTRO

This thread is not only to serve as a review in progress, but a tutorial and work in progress to show the before/after from the manufacturer weatherstripping, but this after market kit I purchased.

I have a 92 Camaro RS with T-Tops and the weatherstripping all around needed to be replaced.

I believe it was Dan I spoke to, and asked him about warranties, fitment, and even application (how to install), and I believed he was recommending a 3M tape product, but all I could find was 3M weatherstrip adhesive (black paste), 3M Part# 08008.

-------------------------- A1 AUTO

I ordered:

1) Chevy Camaro Weatherstrip Seal Set for Cars with T-Tops - $379.95
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Weatherstri...10/250708/1989

2) Chevy Camaro T-Top Hatch Drip Edge Weatherstrip Seal RUBBER Pair - $55.05
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Weatherstri...48/367212/1990

For a grand total of $435.00. O_o a little bit of money for weatherstripping huh?

-------------------------- PARTS LIST

- 2 x T-Top Roofrail Seals: Seal the perimeter of the T-Top, and the front/rear of the side glass to the body of the car.
- 2 x T-Top Out Edge Seals: Seal the outer edges of the T-tops to the side glass.
- 2 x Door Seals: Seal the back, bottom, and front of the doors to the body of the vehicle.
- 1 x Hatch Seal: Seals the Hatch to the body of the vehicle.
- 2 x Triangle Seals: The seals that attach to the triangles on top of the door
- 2 x Drip Edge - Rain Guards: They deflect rain onto the glass instead of letting water hit the t-top stripping repeatedly. I ordered the rubber pair.
- 1 x Tube of 3M #08008 Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive. $9.99 at AutoZone.


-------------------------- Overview and Defects
I missed the package the first day (shipped by UPS), but was able to be there the second day (today) for them to arrive at my front door. I opened the packages and although the parts were new....I was a little skeptical of what seemed to be malformations or defects on some of the pieces.

Parts list:


Defect #1:
Driver side t-top body seal has creases inside the channel along the right side in the picture. Quite possibly could turn into cracks with weather exposure.


Defect #2:
Passenger side, bottom corner in the picture, the left side has a small either leftover tear of material, or some type of defect. This part worries me a bit, as I don't want it to tear over time.


Defect #3:
Not sure which side this is for, but it's one of the door seals, and from it being rolled up too tightly there is a crease in it. Could possibly develop a crack over time.


Defect #4:
Same door seal as the picture above, except this is located higher, and is again from not rolling the seal correctly in a comfortable position for the stripping. This is one of the worse creases.....


Defect #5:
This is the other door seal, which goes around the lower door, and this is either the worst defect, or ties with Defect #4 above. At this point I am really irritated.



-------------------------- Removal & Installation
Will update as I progress....

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

jumping in real quick here before bed -
i do recommend 3m adhesives, some of the best out there, just like the kind you purchased. not sure of any tape stuff though...

if you just pulled everything out of the packages, let things sit out for a day or so before installing; those creases should go away, its pretty spongy stuff. if it doesn't, you're welcome to let us know - I've never personally taken a return for creased seals, but I'm happy to take care of things if you got a defective part.

RyanEricW

Thank you, will keep that in mind. As for the moment, I was hoping they would take to normal form, which is why I laid them out in the first place, I was a bit disappointed because they look bad in person, but it's still a possibility they will return to normal shape.

Thanks again Dan, will post more pics later, keep in tune, and let me know if there is anything you can attribute to the work in progress.

onthedownlow

iTrader: (4)

so did the seals ever bounce back to their original shape? or are they still looking like that? Gotta agree for the money you spend you don't want to see that many defects. I am going to be in need of a t top set so please keep us up to date on how this plays out.

onthedownlow

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

I laid our stripping out as you did for a couple days, then when I had a day off, set it in the sun for part of the afternoon.

Took it to a body shop for install, because I had no clue what to do---
This was before I found TGO, where there is alot of info to do the job as a DIY!!!

Some time ago, I found an article in a magazine that has step-by-step pics & instructions, either Super Chevy, Car Craft or Hot Rod..

Somewhere here there is a link. When I get time I'll search for it & repost it.

What I found out after we got it back was the corners at the windshield t-top & door window were not quite closed up, & the same thing at the back where the roof seal meets the door.
I got some indoor-outdoor silicone & put some in the gaps.

When I found TGO, there was a few pics of what to use & where to put it.
IIRC, it was windshield caulk // sealer & some type of 3M thin double sided tape. Since ours was done, I didn't take it apart to do it like this.
If it leaks again then it will be.

( edit )

Magazine--Super Chevy
Article-- T-TOP BLUES

http//www.superchevy.com/technical/interior/other/0506sc_strip/index.html

RyanEricW

The car is pretty much done. I have had some issues installing, such a massive leak in all 4 corners.

That is probably what this picture is talking about:
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/.../photo_12.html

So I put tons of adhesive around the corners yesterday, just hope they end up working. There is also a gap between the front/rear t-top sides where it meets the body. For some reason, the t-top strip was bowing inwards at each end, which I am trying to resolve using spacers under the mounting rails (seems to work).

All I know is I went to test the seals yesterday, and I'm glad it didn't rain yet, or my car would have been completely soaked. I have pics and stuff I will post later, my camera isn't the greatest.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

I had never seen that super chevy article, definitely something to look at for tips when it comes to these vehicles for weatherstripping installs.

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

Any updates im looking were to buy all the weatherstrips for my car as well and i dont wanna end up with problems after spending $500 on weatherstripping

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Any updates on the install? Is your car still flooding when it rains or did you resolve the issues?

onthedownlow

iTrader: (4)

I think it's terrible that after all that money, your car leaks so badly. And you had to use a ton of silicone to seal the gaps?? there has to be a better way or a better product for the money. I am definitely going to spend the extra money and find me a GM . Thanks for doing this review on the t-top weatherstrip replacement.......saved me from making a big$$$ mistake.
onthedownlow

RyanEricW

I would like to say a couple things. Firstly, Dan has been an amazing help, I recommend 1A Auto if not anything, their customer support. I don't feel as if I have to worry too much, but on the other hand, I'm a little upset because after all the work time and money, the car still leaks, worse than before actually.

It seems to be coming from the two front corners on body, and I have to keep towels in my car, as water already stained my seats. Dan told me they were sending me replacement seals out a couple weeks ago, but still no word on that, and never received them yet.

I'm tired of the leaking issue so much I'm ready to sell my damn car. It is just too much time spent, and money invested for it to be leaking still.

And yes, I used that entire tube of black adhesive. I was very cautious about that from the beginning.

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

I hope i dont end up with the same problems i just bought these same set of weatherstrips for my car.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

Ryan,
Your replacements should have arrived already, sorry I didn't check in with you on this sooner. I've already sent an email to my rep to find out why these aren't in your hand already. I'll get back to you ASAP.

For anyone who is unhappy with the Metro stuff, I'd be happy to try and work with you guys and see if there's a middle ground we can reach when it comes to upgrading to the GM seals if you're interested. Just shoot me a PM and we'll go from there

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

So if the seals dont work we could switch them to Gm ones just paying the difference?

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

But why sell a product that has issues?

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

we see less that a 1% return rate on these seals, so I wouldn't consider them a product with issues. Installing seals on a 20 year old car that can twist, rust out, and had sealing issues to begin with is not an easy thing to get 100% right.

on that note, we also don't want you guys to feel like you've been left high and dry. if there's a problem, we're happy to try and figure out a way to make everybody happy

wild thing

i just bought a full t top set from 1aauto and should be comming today will see if there is anything that looks suspicious.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Guys n gals Even the new GM stuff leaks. Some do leak less than others but id say 100% of them leak. Even the guys that say theirs doesnt.. lol
All my cars have had atleast a drip or 2. They dont much now because they are n my garage.
There are also many adjustments that need to be made with new seals.. not just a thro it on an go operation..
Every GM seal kit I have ever opened has had these creases and weird things going on.
When I have to go somewhere I always carry black electrical tape 2 tape up the seams if its going to rain. cheap and easy fix.
The 2nd and 3rdgen TTOPs are a bad design. not really the seals fault.

I do prefur using GM stuff when I can but I do like to read these reviews because Ill b using these products soon Im sure.

RyanEricW

We'll I hope you are right in the regard that every kit comes with these creases. And I know you are wrong about everyones car leaks. Proof is, I had another 92 camaro (purple) that did not leak, and my current 92 camaro (black/red) did not leak for a whole year I had the car. The weatherstripping was peeling/etc, so it was time to replace.
Wish this car had a targa top lol, or I had a hard top

XitLeft

I'm having some leakage problems too.(origional seals though, not new) I was searching on the homepage section and the Technical section had a T-top leak fix listed there, I'm still trying to figure it out completely before attempting it. Has anyone tried that here ?(if so did it cure the problem?) I'm not sure how to "link" it here (i'm better with tools than the keyboard*LOL*) I'm just trying to find a solution(I use & abuse that "search" feature) to this problem too, Thanx, Bill.

wild thing

i give my compliments to 1Aauto on their weatherstriping kit! they seal great, NO LEAKS AT ALL once they are installed properly, i had it done in 2 days, the key is just to get all the old glue and silicone completely off before installing th new ones. all those creases and stuff on my weatherstripping had settled out once intalled and used, overall they are a very tight seal, the t tops sit a little high but thats better than a leaking roof. THANK YOU 1Aauto for a great product

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Post up some pics!
I would like to see them installed.
It seems with the differing opinions that installation is a big factor in how they seal. The Metro set seems to be molded like the originals, as opposed to the OER set where they changed the design of the body seal where it meets the T top in the front.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

glad to hear everything worked out for ya! thanks for the feedback