Car window seal

Decorative or edge moulding can be seen on many cars. First of all they emphasize dynamic body’s style. As a rule decorative mouldings are made of plastic or chrome. They suit varnished car covering. Some tuning lovers change original decorative mouldings to hold one style. But many car owners like decorative mouldings because they emphasize body appearance. Decorative moulding also has a protective function.

Decorative or protective moulding protects car body in case of collision. But this works only in case of collision with definite barriers with projecting parts of the same level as decorative moulding. Moreover, many decorative mouldings, especially chromic, are very sensitive to collision and this leads to damage. Sometimes it may be repaired. If it is impossible, you should replace the damaged part of the moulding. As a rule, decorative moulding consists of several parts and in case of damage you can replace a part of it.

In majority of cases decorative mouldings are sticked on or mounted. In other cases decorative moulding is fixed by means of clamps. If the moulding has the sticky part, warm it up using heat gun and then fix it. You need an assistant to inset a new decorative moulding. It is not a simple task, so an inexperienced car owner must address to the repair shop. Did the primary shaft, starter, clutch bearing, outside rear-view mirror, ignition rotor, ignition distributor or another part in your car break down? Then visit our on-line store! There you will find all necessary car parts you need to repair your car.

How to detect faulty rubber window seals

To assess the condition of the components, inspect them. Cracking, chipping, loss of elasticity of the material are the symptoms of the need to replace the components. You should also check whether the component are fastened reliably, and make sure the clips are in good order. Then try opening and closing the window several times: serviceable seals should not impede the free movement of the glass.

You may notice that the rubber window seals need diagnostics by the following symptoms:

• squeaking when opening or closing windows, sometimes growing louder in rainy weather;
• rattling of the glasses in lowered position;
• deteriorated sound insulation;
• appearance of water drops after rain or washing on the inside of the doors, on floor mats and the dashboard;
• penetration of cool air inside the passenger compartment, especially when driving at high speed;
• increased misting up of the windows;
• problems in operation of power windows, door locks, and door soft closers;
• corrosion of the car body at points of rubber window seals attachment.

The reasons of rubber window seals malfunction

Moisture, dirt, temperature changes, and direct sunlight have negative effect on the material of the rubber window seals in vehicles. Therefore, if the vehicle is stored in improper conditions, for example, in an open parking lot, they fail much earlier than usual.

Sometimes the reason of premature wear of the components lies in an attempt of unqualified repair or installation, when unsuitable adhesives are used for fastening the seal as firmly as possible. It is also important to stick to the recommendations for operating the components, and wipe them with a cloth moistened with glycerin from time to time, or apply special sealant paste on their surface. This will protect rubber from the negative external influence, make it softer, and significantly increase the service life of the seals.

Repairing and replacing rubber window seals

In some cases, a detached seal may be fixed with a special compound after cleaning the adhering surfaces. However, if the component itself is worn, it is to be replaced. Unassisted installation of a new rubber window seal is simple. To do this, carefully pry it off its seat. If the component is attached to the car body with glue or sealant, cut the old seal with a stationery knife, and thoroughly clean mud from the place of installation. Then install a new component, clearly following the instructions on its packaging.