I live in Australia and since the parts from the US cars are very expensive to get over here, we use every available resource that we can find. I recently bought two sets of Soffseal rear hatch seals from a supplier in the US. The problem is that the rubbers were in the plastic bags for quite some time I believe and when they are to be put on the cars, they sort of crinkly on the inside bits facing the trunk side. They really dont want to lose the crinkle effect and they are very hard to fit. I have since taped them to a wall on the inside of my house to see if they will straighten out. Has anyone bought Soffseal or any other brand that has been in the bag for a long time experienced this problem and how did you overcome the problem? I hate to have wasted time and money and the rubber seals are to be wasted. Could I please have an opinion on what to do. Thanks to anyone who could help.

 

i have no idea how to cure that problem but i do have a word of advice when buying OE parts other then at dealers...

www.classicindustries.com

they are the only place i would buy OE parts other then dealerships. i actually just got some new carpets, underlay and misc. nuts, bolts and springs. excellent service and excellent parts. can't say that for some of their prices though...

 

Classic Industries is expensive, so is Year One, but from what I hear they're really good quality. I sometimes go to GMpartsdirect.com for parts, they're parts are OEM and usually about 10-20% cheaper than through GM or a dealer.

As for crinkly rubber, perhaps there is some kind of solution you could rub on them...

 

I had heard that Soffseal were very good rubbers and I feel that they have only got like this because they were rolled up for so long. I have stretched them out and taped them against a wall in my hallway. I will try a solution that may soften them up and hopefully make them lose that crinkle effect.