Hatch window weatherstrip refreshing

[zbane]

For some time my rear window has been leaking when it rains or I wash the car. Sometimes it would leak quite a bit, other times not so much. Either way, it needed to be stopped. Since the rubber gasket wasn't in terrible shape, I figured I would just try to seal it up with a fine bead of black silicone sealant, rather than order a new weatherstrip set.

Overall, it seems to be doing fine, though I just did this yesterday.

I applied silicon to one edge at a time, starting at the bottom edge, then the driver side, passenger side, and finally to top edge. It might have made more sense to start at the top edge, but to each their own.

The first step was to thoroughly clean the rear window and weatherstrip. To do this, I used the "Invisible Glass" product and a liberal amount of paper towels. After going over the entire unit a couple times, I thought it was as clean as it would ever be.

Second step silicon. I cut the plastic applicator at the smallest possible portion, with the intention of keeping the bead small.

I started applying the silicon to the small gaps at the corners, and worked it in with the caulk applicator.

Then I applied an even bead along the edge of rubber on the glass. Try to not squeeze too hard, as the crimped edge on the silicon will uncrimp and make a mess.

Once I had the line of silicon going from corner to corner, I used the caulk finisher to smooth the bead.

Apply moderate force on the tip of the spreader, and use a smooth even pressure and pace to form the silicon to the window. If the silicon develops a gap, stop-apply a small amount of silicon to the area ahead of the imperfection, and start again from the corner.

Remember to use a smooth, even pressure as you do this.

Some silicon was spread onto the glass, roughly 3/4 inch out, but it is a fairly uniform amount of excess and will clean up easily once cured. While I have not yet cut the excess away, I don't see any issues in doing this.

If you have access to a garage, do it there. Just as I finished, a neighbor drove by and stirred up a small amount of dust from the gravel drive...of course it settled in the still tacky silicon...

So, if your Z is leaking at the hatch window, but you don't think the rubber is shot (or don't have the $$ for a new weatherstrip set) I would suggest trying a refresh using silicon. For about $10 you can do this in about an hour (probably less, I tend to take my time with new things).

FWIW.