Your car or pickup truck is essential for work and your routine. Driving for thousands of miles means your vehicle could be exposed to rain, snow, debris and other contaminants, so you will need weatherstripping to keep the cabin clean. Whether you got your vehicle new or used, your weatherstripping could be due for upgrades.
It is easy to tell when you should replace the weatherstripping on your car. Taking care of the problem as soon as possible helps prevent rust and mold from accumulating on interior surfaces.
Where Is There Weatherstripping on My Vehicle?
You will find automotive weatherstripping close to doors, windows and windshields. Just look for black rubber materials near these installations to find the weatherstripping on your model. Weatherstripping sits on automotive parts that open and close, and around windows and vents. Your vehicle’s weatherstripping should leave a tight seal between the inside of the cabin and the elements.
Drivers often wonder, when you replace auto doors or glass, do you also replace weatherstripping? You should at least inspect weatherstripping sections to see they are in working condition. Installations that have visible tears or fading surfaces should be replaced for a pleasant driving experience.
Common Signs to Replace Car Weatherstripping
How often you replace weatherstripping will depend on where your vehicle is stored, outside conditions and your driving applications. There are several indicators that it’s time for replacements:
1. Cabin Leaks
Water trickling inside your vehicle is a telltale sign your weatherstripping is outdated. You may notice water droplets inside the cabin while you are driving in inclement weather or after your car has been sitting for days.
Weatherstripping can lift from vehicle surfaces. This can happen because heat or freezing temperatures cause the seals to lift, or something catches the rubber materials resulting in a tear. Cabin leaks could be minor or severe depending on the size of gaps.
Because mold is a significant threat to you and your passengers, you should replace weatherstripping across your car before puddles create mold spots on seats and carpets, or the moisture penetrates our porous surfaces (like a headliner) within the cabin.
2. Excessive Road Noise
Weatherstripping blocks water and dirt from entering the vehicle, but it also helps to quiet the cabin. Slight road noise should be expected when driving at faster speeds. If your tires seem louder than usual, this is a common sign you should inspect weatherstripping. Or, if you’ve started hearing a whistling sound, your weatherstripping may be cracked or torn, and air is making its way into the cabin.
Remember to look at your vehicle’s rear doors and windows, too. It takes time to find the source of the weatherstripping problem, but having someone ride in the back seat will help you identify which sections call for attention.
3. Loss of Heat or Air Conditioning
In extreme warm or cold temperatures, you want your vehicle’s air conditioning and heat to function properly. If you notice your car or truck doesn’t hold comfortable air, your heating or air unit might not be the issue. Instead, your weatherstripping could be the cause for concern.
To see if your weatherstripping is the issue, have your heat or air running until the cabin is comfortable, then shut it off. If your vehicle doesn’t retain the warm or cool air for long, you could have worn weatherstripping.
There is a chance the hot or cool air coming from vents is escaping the cabin due to holes in weatherstripping. Cabin seals act as insulation and are responsible for preventing inside air from moving through open spaces. Replacing the weatherstripping on car doors could resolve the problem.
4. Visible Deterioration Across Weatherstripping
Walk around your vehicle, and look closely at weatherstripping sections. Visible holes or dents across weatherstripping pieces tell you your installations have seen better days.
Running your fingers across weatherstripping is helpful to catch wear and tear early. Be sure to perform this test along all sections of your vehicle. Consider marking worn seals with tape so you can monitor their condition between seasons.
5. Brittle Weatherstripping
You can spot faulty weatherstripping by looking at it. If rubber materials appear dry and sections flake apart, automotive weatherstripping replacements are in order.
Car and truck seals should be soft. Press in on weatherstripping sections to verify they can change shape like a cushion. Brittle installations will have a hard time keeping water, pollen and mud outside the vehicle. Seals that look deflated or droop off the sides of a car or truck should be repaired or replaced as needed.
6. Older Vehicles and Weatherstripping
Vehicles that are 25 years or older should have weatherstripping replaced. Original adhesives and rubber materials on older cars weaken over time. Consider yourself lucky if you drive a classic car or truck and the factory seals still work. Changing out the weatherstripping materials on your vehicle can improve the appearance and comfort of your automobile.
Testing the Integrity of Automotive Weatherstripping
It is possible to test the condition of automotive weatherstripping. You can perform a quick assessment to see whether or not your current installations are preventing air and contaminants from making their way inside the cabin. All you need is a dollar bill to complete the test:
- Move to one of your vehicle’s doors.
- Open the door. Shut the door with half of the dollar exposed near the roof.
- Try to slide the dollar out by pulling it upward.
You can tell if your seals are working properly if there is resistance on the dollar bill. You should have trouble lifting the dollar from between the door. A dollar that slides right out from the seal indicates a weak spot in your weatherstripping. Repeat the test around each door and your trunk compartment.
Look at the dollar bill once you finish the test. Sticky residues tell you the weatherstripping is failing and needs to be replaced.
Maintaining Your Vehicle’s Weatherstripping
You can prevent weatherstripping sections from wearing away by cleaning surfaces. Wipe down seals occasionally since it only takes a few moments. Taking these steps keeps installations clear of dirt and spots:
- Fill a bucket with water.
- Add a small amount of detergent to the bucket.
- Use a cloth to scrub vehicle seals lightly.
- Rinse off the seals leaving no suds behind.
- Leave car or truck doors open to help seals dry.
- Once the weatherstripping is dry to the touch, you may shut the doors.
Weatherstripping conditioners and lubricants help prolong the life of seals. Spray directly on weatherstripping or apply using a cloth for desirable results.
Get Your Weatherstripping Materials From Raybuck Auto Body Parts
You will find all sorts of weatherstripping replacement kits with the Raybuck Auto Body Parts. Upgrade the existing seals on your favorite car or pickup truck with our solutions for Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Dodge models and others. We offer competitive pricing, and we have a great customer service team that can assist with your restoration project.
Check out our weatherstripping solutions today. You can also contact us with questions you have about installing or maintaining your purchases.