How can you tell when your seals aren’t doing their job? Well, there’s the obvious ways, of course, like wet carpet in the trunk or wicked wind noise coming in the doors, but what if you want to be more proactive than that? That’s where the dollar bill test comes in.
This test is used to diagnose those areas of your vehicle that aren’t sealing correctly. You can use it on trunk seals and door seals or anywhere you have squishy sponge rubber that seals against metal. It’s a simple and quick process that’s accurate and requires no special equipment.
How to perform the dollar bill test:
Step 1: Open the door/trunk and place your bill part way across the seal before closing the door back. Make sure you leave enough of the bill showing so you can get a good grip on it for the test.
Step 2: Then slowly try to pull the dollar bill out. If it won’t move at all or only moves with a solid, firm pull, the seal is great in that spot and doing its job. However, if you don’t feel any real resistance, odds are you’ve found a weak spot in the seal.
Step 3: Repeat this procedure in various areas around the seal. Just because it’s sealing well in one place doesn’t mean that it’s sealing well all the way around. Multiple trouble areas can indicate a failing seal. If so, it’s probably best to replace the seal altogether.
Once you’ve done the dollar bill test and found your trouble areas, now you can determine what the issue is that’s preventing it from sealing:
- Old, hardened seal with no squish factor- replace the seal
- Seal has shrunken or didn’t fit correctly in the first place- replace the seal
- The door or trunk lid is misaligned- take a deeper look into that and make the necessary repairs
The dollar bill test is an easy way to ensure that your weatherstripping is in good shape and doing its job to protect your investment in your favorite ride.
Steele not only offers high-quality products, but also the knowledge to help you complete your projects. If you have questions regarding weatherstripping for your classic vehicle, street rod, RV, or boat, don’t hesitate to contact us! Call us at 800-447-0849, send us an email, or chat with us on our website.
*For more help check out our How To series on YouTube!
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