Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

Has anybody have any suggestions on how to get the new weatherstripping in?

I bought the kit to do both doors, they are the pieces with foam blocks at the top front/back and a tube that runs down and under the door with yellow clips.

This one: http://www.classicindustries.com/cam...rts/ws507.html

The big foam block at the rear by the door handle the screw in the door jamb does not align (no huge problem, could re-drill a new hole in the door). The big foam block at the front is a PITA. top screw under the door panel is easy but the one in the jamb is impossible. I cannot squish the foam enough to pull it back far enough to align. The triangle piece behind the mirror keeps wanting to push it forward. I did just the one screw and tried closing the door. The foam block is so new you have to really slam the door to get it to close. and when you go to open the door it pops open from the pressure.

Its even GM stamped as a resto part.

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

Hmm, week or two now and it is still super firm and hard to close the door. I'm wishing I never threw out the old cracked pieces. At least with them I could close the door easy.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Is it OER brand? They're weatherstrip sucks. I used Fairchild industries for the doors and I was happy with them.

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

Hey Dennis. I used the softseal stuff. I too had to drill a new hole in the drivers side to mount the block. They've been in for about 2 months and are still firm. I have no problems closing the doors unless the windows are up. I just have to slam the hell out of the door and they close. Combine that with some fat mat and I took care of most of the door rattles.

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

I cant imagine GM selling these cars new and having to slam the door to shut it due to firm weatherstripping. I think I did get OER brand; the toneau one I got was Softseal and it feels much ruberier and nice.

Might have to get new door weatherstrip as this stuff just is not working.

Where is the best place to buy SoftSeal from? I see they have direct but is there cheaper places? or a discount code?

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

I think I got mine from classic or hawks.

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

My OER stuff is what Classic sold me; no options for other brands. Checked Hawks, no brand listed but they have a GM option for $300 each side. Yikes.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

If you can,leave the doors shut for a few days in a worm garage or in the sun.Give them a chance to take form.

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

It's been on the door, with them shut for 3 weeks and I still cant get that last screw. My other weatherstripping is Metro Supersoft and it is much better than the OER door ones they sent me. I tracked down the Metro brand at 1A auto with free shipping. I think I will go that route and trash the OER or give it away. Each time I go in and give it another try I feel like smashing my car in with a bat.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

That's where I got mine from and the same brand,I had no problems with it.
Just have a little patience with it,it'll workout.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Mantaguy - I thought you had the Metro brand?
OER sucks.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I do,I got mine from 1A.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

82tarecaro,how you coping up their in NY,I know your a Fireman hows it going??

1Aauto

Here's a link to the weatherstrip section on our website. If you need any help you can shoot me a PM if you would like to.

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Weatherstri...ampaign=1ATony

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

I looked back in my email and i did get my weatherstrip for my hardtop from 1a. it's good stuff.

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

I found you as a distributor on Metro's website and liked your price but on your website I noticed you do not list a brand name (you ref. it as a replacement for Metro's part number). I emailed your customer service and asked what brand it is, they said:
Not too sure what to think anymore. I know I like the Metro stuff and if 1A cant put their name on it I am hesitant to buy from 1A. Also, Metro offers a 15yr warranty.

DeltaElite121

I'd like to know more about this as well. I am planning on buying the full kit since my car is getting painted soon, and now is a good time to replace my worn out weatherstripping.

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

I emailed Metro to see what they sell to A1 and this is what they said:
Not getting any answers that I like from anyone.

DeltaElite121

Tony, I tried calling you directly about this just so we all know. Can you fill us in with a few more details? I've got money waiting, I just want to know what I'm getting before I get it.. if that makes sense. I think a lot of us are.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

1A sells Metro. The door and t top weatherstrip they sell is Metro. I am not sure who makes the sweeps and the drip edges though. I bought the drip edges and sweeps and there was no brand on them

1Aauto

We carry seals from many manufacturers including Metro,Fairchild and some that we also purchase from overseas that are of good quality.

Some of the big kits that we sell may be put together in-house by us, and may contain seals from more than one manufacturer.

However we do source out the better quality seals to ensure a good fit. If there's ever and issue with any of our seals feel free to PM me or call me in the office.

If there's a particular seal that your interested in, you can also PM me and I can verify that it's what you're looking for.

Hope this helps you out,
Tony
1aauto.com
866-403-3393

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

Ordered seals from Rock Auto. was same price and they claim them to be Metro molded parts and give the full 15yr warranty.

We'll see soon how they look.

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

Here is my opinion after dealing with both:

OER is crap and did not work at all due to the stiffness of the foam at the end points (blocks). OER's appearance was also poor with a lumpy finish on the end peices and poor transitions into the strip part. Doors would not close with this brand without a major slam, and re-slam. THe end blocks are simply to hard of a material and clunk on the floor like wood.

Metro is nice and soft and lets the doors close but has no plastic back panel in the ends (blocks) so it does not screw into place like the originals did. It looks very nice in that it is smooth and has no lumps or poor edges. Doors close fine with this brand.

The OER strip part was closer to original than the Metro due to type of foam. The Metro ones are more a memory foam type material in that they are more dense yet easily squishable and hold their squished shape for a bit; a bit of an odd material but looks nice and absorbs nicely.

In the end I am not 100% happy with either but Id choose the Metro simply because I can close my doors. The best would be a hybrid of the Metro material but bonded onto a plastic back plate like the OER and original parts.

Some pics:


Original ends:


OER ends:


MEtro ends:


With the Metro due to no backing plate I had a hard time getting the ends to sit properly (with glue) as can be seen. See gap with yellow glue in it:

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

Removed my toneau lid and scraped out all the old weatherstrip and put on the new Metro stuff. Looks really good but guess what... now it does not close. I seriously feel like throwing a brick at someone. How the F can this be that messed up and hard to do?! Should a supplier that manufactures a replacement part not test the damn thing and make it identical to the one it replaces? NOw I basically need to tear it off and trash my new weatherstrip so I can actually close the lid and drive my car. What a mistake it was to get involved with replacing weatherstripping. I prefer the cracked and crumbling 22 year old stuff. At least the car functioned! ARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

I need to go and calm down... AGHH!

dads old blue 9

soft seal seems to be the one everybody likes , if you're installing this stuff in the cold ,thats part of your problem , keep it as warm as possible before and during instalation I just got my new soft seal kit in the mail and its sitting unrolled in a spair bedroom waiting for the car to be painted . but when I install it it will be 90degrees in my garage and soft seal does have the plastic inside the blocks . be prepaired to pay for it though. buy cheap get cheap

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I used metro and had no problems whatsoever.

dads old blue 9

hey Z-28 you live in canada you cant install this stuff in 20 degree weather . consider a garden hose left out in the summer , limp noodle rite . take the same hose and leave it out in a cold winter , turns into a hard pole. same with rubber , crank the heat in your garage op to 90 and leave it there till all the silicoln dries . use exactly what the instructions tell you to use for adhesive , I tried an experiment last nite .I took one of my new seals and left it in a 55 degree garage this morning compaired it to my other one in the house, at 75degrees ,huge difference .I wouldn't even attempt to install the cold one.

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

I too have just recently used the Metro Soffseal on my '89 Firebird doors and am about ready to rip it out and send it back. First of all, the thick end pieces for the door are the wrong design, especially at the triangle guide. They are not even close to factory. Like some have said, there are no plastic backings inside, so all those little clips rip right out very easily. The screws are holding THIN rubber and that's it. It barely holds. You have to stretch it some as you go around the door, but as soon as you get to the ends (mainly above the latch, not only does it rip the little clips out, but it doesn't even conform to the door. I've had it on my car for nearly 2 months and still have to slam the doors like crazy when the windows are up. It's very thin and cheaply made. I got a hold of some GM ones for my 82 awhile back...world of difference and went right on like they were supposed to. I don't know why I even bothered with aftermarket seals.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Try the Fairchild seals from 1A. They work great, have the plastic inserts, and the molded ends fit good.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/spon...ml#post5457084

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

My car is in a heated garage all winter; no issue there. And Metro were no cheaper than SoftSeal but they have a toneau seal that they did not.

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

Hey thanks! Those do look much better and sounds like a better fit (more like the GM ones I have on my 82. I'll be giving those a try and tossing these Metro deals.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Please give us a review once you get these installed......

Thanks,

Dennis-Z28

iTrader: (1)

Tried playing around with the seal on the toneau some more tonight. Does not seem to he overly tight. ie: I put the top up and the rear seats down so I could get in under the toneau and check the seal. I can wiggle my finger into between the seal and the pinch trim on the car body. PLayed with the goose neck hinges a bunch but it seems they work no matter what angle I put on them. Currently it is tough to close the lid and when I do it sticks up about 3/16" higher than before all along the trunk lid. it is also tough to latch at the front. Cross my finger and let it sit for a week or two I guess.

1Aauto

I had those Fairchild seals added in for you guys because I knew you liked them. Any issues let me know, they're a good company and typically do a great job developing seals.