Aftermarket Weatherstripping, who uses it?

[turbojustin]

I need to replace all of the door weatherstripping on my solid roof T. I've heard the aftermarket seals are crap. Who has actually used the aftermarket stuff? What are your opinions? Are there any good aftermarket options?

The cheapest GM seals are is still more than 3 times higher than the generic postons seals.

P.S. I already did a search on this, but I didn't see any opinions from people who actually use generic seals.

GM part#s
Roof Rail
LH 20737659
RH 20737658

Door Weatherstrip
LH 20211820
RH 20211821


I have already checked

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com
$426.70 shipped

http://www.partszoneonline.com
$408.92 plus shipping

Kirbans
$458.95 plus shipping

Postons non-GM seals
$134

 

[87gninpa]

i bought the poston door weatherstrip because i dont have 400+ to spend on rubber. but if i had to do it again, id wait and save to get the real ones. a friend of mine got the real ones and theres really no comparison. i cant stop the wind leaks no matter what, and they were a PIA to install. if you have the money, get the GM ones, youll be happy you did int he longrun

 

[turbojustin]

Originally posted by 87gninpa
i bought the poston door weatherstrip because i dont have 400+ to spend on rubber. but if i had to do it again, id wait and save to get the real ones. a friend of mine got the real ones and theres really no comparison. i cant stop the wind leaks no matter what, and they were a PIA to install. if you have the money, get the GM ones, youll be happy you did int he longrun

Is the wind leaking from just the roof rail seals? If the door seals are decent, maybe I could buy the generic door seals and get the GM roof rail seals.

Thanks for the advice eventhough it p!sses me off to hear that I need to spend that much money on a couple pieces of rubber.

Anybody else?

 

[Rickracer]

Look here, Soffseal makes some good stuff....

http://www.soffseal.com/SearchByModel.asp

Scroll down to view results...
Part Fits Description Measure Price
5036 78-87 MALIBU REGAL CUTLASS LEMANS DOOR WEATHERSTRIP 4-DOOR SEDAN FRONT DOOR PR $98.60
5037 78-87 MALIBU REGAL CUTLASS LEMANS DOOR WEATHERSTRIP 4-DOOR SEDAN REAR DOOR PR $98.60
5038 78-87 MALIBU REGAL CUTLASS LEMANS -WAGON DOOR WEATHERSTRIP REAR DOOR PR $98.60
5400 78-88 MONTE CARLO CUTLASS REGAL GP ROOFRAIL WEATHERSTRIP 2-DOOR PR $98.60
5402 78-88 MONTE CARLO, CUTLASS, REGAL & GRAND PRIX T-TOP WEATHERSTRIPS FITS ON BODY PR $267.60
5403 78-88 MONTE CARLO, CUTALSS, REGAL & GRAN PRIX T-TOP WEATHERSTRIPS, FITS ON T-TOP PR $118.30
Part Fits Description Measure Price
5400 78-88 MONTE CARLO CUTLASS REGAL GP ROOFRAIL WEATHERSTRIP 2-DOOR PR $98.60
5402 78-88 MONTE CARLO, CUTLASS, REGAL & GRAND PRIX T-TOP WEATHERSTRIPS FITS ON BODY PR $267.60
5403 78-88 MONTE CARLO, CUTALSS, REGAL & GRAN PRIX T-TOP WEATHERSTRIPS, FITS ON T-TOP PR $118.30

I have installed some of their stuff a long time ago, and it was pretty nice. Hot Rod, Car Craft, or PHR had an article about them a few years ago, and it was a thumbs up. They used to sponsor a Pro Mod car too, I believe.

 

[Joe Tiano]

well...the kirban weatherstripping I installed on my t-top gn..is already cracking at the vulcanized seams ..its been on the car for less than 2 yrs!)...there is NO way that that would last as long as the O.E.M...the extra cash the GM stripping cost..would have been money well spent IMO...carfully inspect it! joe

 

[Rickracer]

I don't know about the longevity of the Soffseal stuff now....

...but the quality of the stuff I have used in the past was really good. I doubt that Kirban's stuff is Soffseal, but I could be wrong. So much stuff these days is being made in China, India and other places. I'm just saying check them out. Their stuff is reasonable in cost, and has a good reputation.

 

[turbojustin]

It looks I'm gonna gamble with the soffseal roof rail and door seals. They are under $100 each pair and they have a 100% lifetime satisfaction guarantee. Yeah, I know a guarantee doesn't mean sh!t, but I'm gonna take a chance so other GN owners know if this is good or bad stuff. Besides, they're in Ohio so if I'm not satisfied I will talk to them personally, not over the phone. Wish me luck.


Rickracer,
Was the soffseal stuff you installed for a GN or another car?

5016 82-88 Door w/strips, 2 door, Cutlass, Regal ........... pr 98.60
5400 78-88 Roofrail w/strips, 2 door, Cutlass, Regal ....... pr 98.60

 

[Rickracer]

I don't remember now, it was about 12 or 13 years ago

That's a good point too, they have been around a long time, they're not some upspring offshore manufacturer. I think it was for a Vette I did a bunch of work on, but it could have been a '57 Chevy that was in the shop a lot for upgrades or even something else. I do remember there was another vehicle in the shop like it (a year or two apart) while it was there that had new GM stuff in it, and I liked the Soffseal stuff better (especially the price vs. quality) Even if they were the same price I would have picked the Soffseal, but then again, I feel the GM stuff was/is insanely overpriced.

 

[turbojustin]

Here is my order.

Parts Ordered:
Part #: Description: Qty: Price: Extended:
5016 DOOR WEATHERSTRIP 1 $98.60 $98.60
5400 ROOFRAIL WEATHERSTRIP 2-DOOR 1 $98.60 $98.60

TOTALS:
Net Total: $197.20
Sales Tax: $13.80..........(I live in OHIO)
UPS Ground: $15.00
Order Total: $226.00


Well, they are $200 cheaper than GM seals. So, I either saved $200 or I'm gonna have spend $400 more. I'll keep you updated.

 

[BUICKTIME]

Dont do it to tour self!!!!

I hope I'm not to late to help you with the heart ache that the soft seal-seal's will bring onto you. I installed a pair on two vehicles this last summer and I can tell you first hand the money saved is not money well saved. Buy the OEM, GM seal's. Not sure, but I think all the after-market seals out there for TR's (G-Body's) are made by SOFT SEAL. 87gninpa is right, the wind noise is hard to stop with these seals but can be accomplished with a lot of tweaking of the window adjustments. About 2-3 years ago I helped a friend install a set of the GM seals and they were nothing like installing the Soft Seal units. They went in with ease, again unlike the after-market ones. The Soft Seal units would work great on manual windows only because you can adjust the windows a little tighter than a motorized window without stressing the window motor. One more note: I had to put some silicone on the weather stripping on the B-pillar to get a smooth up and down movement of the window.

 

[Louie L.]

I believe they are all made by "Metra" brand. I have them on my GN and they suck big time. Im currently redoing my T Type and im going to buy the GM upper seals and the Metra lower door seals,these are not as critical. The Metra will not seal at the front corner of the window, there is just not enough material there. Good thing i dont drive this car every day, I rememeber how crazy the wind noise drove me.

 

[Rickracer]

To each his (or her) own

Soffseal :

100% lifetime satisfaction guarantee

Buicktime, if your seals are truly the A&M Soffseal brand, I'd say you need to get on the phone, 1-800-426-0902 , or email: ( http://www.soffseal.com/directory.htm ) That link has email addys for just about all of the company's officers. I'm sure one of them would be interested in hearing your story, and attempting to make it right.


Louie, I'm pretty sure the ones I am referring to are made by Soffseal, and not Metra or anyone else. All I'm saying is check it out for yourself, or pay a king's ransom for OE.

 

[Gnx6]

You can try www.soffseal.com I have heard they are pretty good. They make a lot of seals for hot rods. I just put all new GM ones on my T-Top GN. I think that GM's stock is old and dried up. First set were junk and the second set seemed to fit ok but doesn't touch the window in spots near the rear.

 

[turbot2496]

See if you can cancel your order and get your cash back. I was where your at awhile back and tried to save a buck on the doorseals. I got the soffseal stuff for a 79 z28. The stuff was so bad you couldn't even get the doors to close without trimming the stuff down. It was sticking out around the frickin door if you can believe that. Then after you trimmed them they looked like crap and didn't seal worth a damn. Total embarrasment. Cough up the cash and get the gm stuff. I've used gm ever since. I've seen the soffseal stuff used on friends cars too and never without regret. Good Luck.

 

[zam70]

Here's one of my secrets...
When I redid my seals, I ordered the GM seals...after installing and spending hours trying to get the door window to seal it still wasn't what i would consider perfect...it's almost like the window is a hair small -
ANYWAY.

Upon examination, i decided that if the rear seal had just a little more body to it (plumper) it would all seal good...

what I did is careully slit the back open (you'll notice they are hollow tubes of rubber - and yes, it made me very nervous to be cutting on a brand new seal) and inserted some of the soft foam gap filler stuff you buy at the hardware store (to fill large gaps when caulking) Then pressed the seal back into place...PRESTO - perfection....

i don't see why this couldn't work on an older seal as long as it isn't dry rotted.

 

[Gnx6]

They were talking about steele rubber on my classic car today. They do list some seals for the GN. Check this link:

http://166.82.96.9/xframes.html

www.steelerubber.com