When I bought my '72 it came with a bunch of bagged Nissan weather stripping, I've been working in the hatch weather stripping, have all the old stuff off and am ready to fit the new.  The new weather stripping is very soft, which I took to be a god sign but on closer inspection it almost seems to be breaking down. There are cracks on inside the lip that would slide into the ridge and I'd imspread it it isn't smooth, you can see fht open cell foam core.  I was wondering if this is normal or if it's deteriorating and I should chuck it?

If you're going through the pain of replacing the weatherstriping, I'd suggest get something new as that looks like it will continue to deteriorate over the next couple of years.  

It came with the car and it's better then what was on there right?

I just received a complete weather strip the other day, with the exchange rate, S&H and taxes it was over $500

Go new!

If you decide to "chuck it" chuck it my way--I will gladly pay the shipping--no kidding. 

I think what you are seeing is a small amount of tearing as the rubber was taken from the mold or extruder---a minor manufacturing defect.

If it were me, I would install it and dress it down with a liberal application of Mother's Protectant after the install.

When the hatch is closed---which is very nearly always---there is little that can happen to further degrade  the rubber. Biggest fears would be if there were an ice buildup (you are in Canada) and tearing of the rubber upon opening the hatch. If your car is out of the elements in winter, then  I wouldn't even worry about that.

Please, send me a PM if you decide to "chuck it"!

Jim D.

"Zup"

 

Thanks for the replies. I beleive the date it was made was 2002, I'm going to let a friend take a look and give me his thoughts. If I don't use it I'll let you know Jim

If its soft and not brittle, or crumbling then it should be fine. Maybe post some more pics. What I see in your pic isn't that bad. Just my opinion.

 

Well I decided to buy "new" .  Got the part from my local Nissan dealer. Much better condition and the manufacture date seems to be 2014.   That's the date on the package anyway although it surprises me.  Anyway installed it and the aftermarket outer seal today. Very happy with the results.  

Just a note I had two weather stripping adhesives and tried them both.  An old tube of Pro form black weather stripping and a new Yellow Pematex.  The Yellow Permatex flowed better but set up faster, the Pro Form black was more forgiving, both seem to hold just as well.

Zup, (Jim D.) if you still want my older unused seal PM me your address and I will drop it in the mail.

Steve

Edited March 31, 20168 yr by sdyck