Pro Tips for Weatherstrips

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: weatherstripping is an essential part of successful automotive restoration. It won’t be the most exciting task, but it’s necessary if you want to keep the interior of your car looking good and the trunk free of water. Plus, it’s the final touch that makes your vehicle look brand new. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of installing a glue-on type trunk gasket for your classic car.

Materials needed for this project:

• New trunk weatherstrip for your car
• 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive

The first step in any weatherstripping project is to make sure all of the old weatherstripping is gone and the area is cleaned well. Any old adhesive or debris left behind will definitely impact the ability of the adhesive to stick and your weatherstrip to stay in place.

Next, do a practice run without using adhesive. Start with one end of the weatherstrip at the bottom center of the trunk opening and lay it out all the way around the perimeter of the trunk just like you were installing it. Push it in the channel to see if there are any places where the fit might be a little loose and it will need to be held down.

Once that’s done, pull the weatherstrip back off and lay a thin bead of the 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive in the channel all the way around the trunk opening. A thin bead- little goes a long way. Then put the rubber back in place pushing it into the channel, starting at the bottom center and working your way around the entire trunk.

If the weatherstrip is too long, you’ll have to trim it to fit. Be sure not to cut it too short! Allow about 1/8” extra length before you cut it and but the ends up together as tightly as possible. Gaps = water leaks!

Place masking tape over the areas that are loose (areas around corners tend to pop out) to hold the weatherstrip in place until the adhesive sets. Then close the trunk and the pressure of the trunk lid will hold everything in place until the adhesive sets (allow 24 hours for it to dry completely).

That’s it- you’re done! Now your trunk is protected from the elements, and it looks good too.

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At Steele, we’re more than just high-quality products, we’re your trusted resource for completing your weatherstripping projects with confidence.

Whether you’re working on a classic car or truck, street rod, RV, or boat, our expert team is here to help. If you have questions about weatherstripping or need product guidance, we’re just a call or click away.

📞 Call us at 800-650-4482
📧 Send us an email
💬 Chat with us live on our website

Need installation help?
Check out our How-To video series on YouTube for step-by-step guidance and tips.

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