outer hatch weatherstripping!!

[astrohog]

I am trying to order the outer hatch weatherstripping from MSA. They offer a one-piece unit, or two seperate side pieces and a top piece.

Any advice on which one installs and/or actually performs its intended function better?

Appreciate any help here!!

Regards,

Astrohog

[EScanlon]

The 3 piece unit is more "correct" for the earlier cars. It's 3 pieces are: the top section which has a "bulb" or tubular section affixed to the top of the flanged edge of the gasket.; the two side pieces resemble the top piece without the "bulb" or tube.

The 1 piece is just the top piece (above) extended to both sides. There are those who feel that this one piece with bulb design seals the hatch better than the other.

FWIW

E

[astrohog]

Thanks, E!!

That is what I was thinking, and since I am not ready to take the Z to paint yet (just trying to keep her dry and fume-free!), I ordered up the one-piece. Maybe I will go with the "more-correct" three-piece after I do get her painted.

Thanks again,

Astro

[Mat M]

I had some difficulty in the ledge stripping, where the rubber held a "memory" shape due to the shipping procedure. The 3-M adhesive was not able to keep a portion of the top stripping held to the ledge. Even while the adhesive was tacky, the rubber wanted to pull up. It's too late for me now, but maybe you will have better luck and somehow remove the bend in your stripping. Hopefully the MSA stuff won't give you this headache. I was using the Precision 3 piece product.

Good luck and keep us posted, please!

Edited August 4, 2008 by Mat M

[EScanlon]

Mat's point is very valid. With ANY rubber product, take it out of the package and let it lay for as long as you can in order to eliminate package bends. Soak it in hot water and the majority of stubborn bends will also "relax".

When gluing use a strong adhesive and RTFI... Read The F***king Instructions. Even Super Weatherstrip Adhesive recommends that BOTH surfaces be coated with a thin coat and allowed to dry, THEN re apply a thin... repeat THIN ... coat on ONE piece and then bond together.... NOT apply a major goop and hope it sticks. Not that that is what Mat did, it's just that it is a common mistake. With the adhesive applied properly, I've seen NEW weatherstrip TEAR within days of being installed. The nutshell is don't expect the adhesive glue to hold the rubber down.... it won't. The adhesive's job is to make sure it doesn't shift or move.

2¢

E

[astrohog]

Rodger that, E!

Your advice is well taken! I have alot of adhesive experience from years of building model airplanes, so I know a little about gluing different materials. This is certainly an application where cured skim coats of adhesive makes a lot of sense, essentially using it as a "contact adhesive". Sounds like I will have one shot at getting it to lay down right that way, but I should be okay if I take my time!!

Thanks again for the advice!! I will let y'all know how it turned out soon enough!

Regards,

Jeff

[Arne]

Hopefully the MSA stuff won't give you this

headache. I was using the Precision 3 piece product.

The weatherstripping that MSA sells is made by Precision. Same exact product.

[astrohog]

Arne,

Not to hijack my own thread, but, any chance you will be at the ZCCW Meeting of the MindZ in Port Townsend on the 16th and /or 17th?

Astro

[peterc]

One little additional piece of advive from the "been there, done that" file. It is very easy to inadvertantly "stretch" the weatherstripping as you are installing it as it is somewhat elastic. "Pre-tensioned", the weatherstripping will forever be trying to return to its normal, shorter length, and will eventually pull off.

[EScanlon]

Excellent point Peter, and reminds me of what I did when I installed mine. (I used the single piece rather than the 3 piece.

I had plenty of material, since my source was very generous when he cut it. However, not wanting to end up being short on one side or the other, I laid the strip down between the hinge pockets and made a small mark with a Sharpie pen on both the gasket and the metal edge it would be gluing to. I did this at the weep hole plug and the projected "ends". Then when I was ready to glue down, I just aligned the marks. I wasn't perfectly aligned, but I did have excess material so I could "fudge" a bit. I ended up trimming on both ends, which was my intent.

FWIW

E

[Arne]

Arne,

Not to hijack my own thread, but, any chance you will be at the ZCCW Meeting of the MindZ in Port Townsend on the 16th and /or 17th?

Astro

No, but I am planning to be at the NWDOA Show-n-Shine at Blue Lake Park on the Columbia on the 10th.

[mikehos2004]

I also need this outer hatch weatherstripping, and at the risk of asking a stupid question, is MSA an online supplier? I tried to look it up without much luck. It would be great if anyone could tell me where to buy this. And also maybe where is the best place to get an original style outside mirror for my 78Z. It has one from Target or Walmart that probably cost $19.99. Doesn't quite look right.

Thanks!