anyways the t-tops in my friend's camaro leak. She has a 91 with the glass tops. Her weatherstripping leaks at the corners and I can't afford to buy her new weatherstripping right now. Winter is coming and water gets through the corners where the T-top meets up with the pillars on the outer parts of the car. This lets the water fall right onto her lap and slightly behind her head.

Question: Can I use RTV or something to that effect to just take a T-top off and spread all over on the corners to create a seal which would last during the winter?

If not RTV what should I use, I don't care if in the summer when she takes the tops off the weatherstripping would be ruined as I will replace it then. But to get her through the winter what do you all think?

 

It would probably work... untill you take off the tops again. Would look like *** too IMO.

 

The first thing to do is to remove the top inserts, clean the areas around the seals, clean the top inserts themselves where the seals contact them, clean the seals themselves, and apply a layer of silicone to the seals (as should have been done routinely as the service manual requires). After you rub the silicone onto the seals, carefully pull back the seals around the perimeter and look for signs of rust, including holes through which moisture can drain. If you find rust, repair it. If you find areas around the seals (especially at the corners) that are not well attached to the center divider bar, apply a bit of black RTV silicone sealant. Allow the sealant to cure before installing the top inserts. If you determine that the seals are damaged, you'll have to replace them eventually. If you find a torn or abraded area of the seal you might be able to apply some RTV silicone and smooth it so that you rebuild the seal enough to get you through the winter.

 

Not to undermine Vader...

I've used electrical tape with great success.

 

well there appears to be a gap of about 1/8inch in the front and back of both sides of t-tops. Almost like the weather stripping on the T-top shrunk and left a gap where it meets the car. But i will try the silicone first, since it is cheap. Not really sure what to do since new stripping is $200 i believe for a complete kit....just looking to get through winter and replace in spring next year.

 

Once you get the seals and areas around them cleaned, and apply some silicone to rejuvenate the seals, you may be able to get a seal in those gaps. If not, AJ has a very good idea as a temporary stop-gap (pun intended) - vinyl tape around the edges of the glass for the winter.

 

YAY!! Vader is back :yourock: :hail: :lala:

 

i have a buddy who laid a thick bead of clear RTV all the way aroun on the seals and let it cure over night... put the t-tops back in and it hasn't leaked since!!!

he put a ton of RTV on there though...

 

You could always try adjusting the latches for the tops to pull them down further onto the seals.

If you can get the gap down to a reasonable size (less than 1/16") try cleaning the seals then putting a bead of silicone dialectric grease on the seals where the gap is and put the top in place. This should seal it up to where water can't get in, but won't be a perminant eyesore.

 

thanks for the tips guys, i'll be trying them out this week sometime.