T Tops Weather Strip Install?

[GN ERGY]

I'm helping the guy that is going to paint my GN, and we had to tear out the t top weather stripping today, to get the trim pieces off because we're going to strip the whole car. Paint was all cracked, factory defect. I ordered new weather stripping from Postons. Any tips or suggestions on how to install, what adhesive to use. Open to any and all suggestions.I know some of you guys have probably had to do this before.
Thanks in advance
Tarey D.

 

[zam70]

I just got thru doing this.

1> return the stuff from Postons and get the OEM weather stripping. More money but worth every penny. Get ALL pieces.

2> Be meticulous about cleaning all the old adhesive out.

3> Installed properly, you won't need any adhesive. If you choose to use it (very sparingly) use 3m super weather strip adhesive.

4> use a hose hook to push the seals into place. Works great and less chance of punching a hole n the rubber.

5> Be VERY patient and have plenty of profanity on tap when you readust the windows and t-tops. All aspects of the t-tops adust. Remove all of the plastic interior trim around the t-top area while adusting.

6> Lotso time.



That's about it.

 

[G-Force]

I am also in the process of getting this done. I stripped all the moldings from the roof of the T-Top. I heard horror stories about rust and T-Top but thankfully mine wasn't rust at all. Now that everything is stripped I am going to use POR15 on the roof where its prone to rust. I ordered all new GM molding from dal at Vandevere.

Remember when you are doing this, everything needs to be absolutely clean. I am using metal cleaner before I paint and I will use windex or something to clean the metal before I apply the new Moldings.

 

[hanly2]

Bringing this back from the dead. I orderd all my stripping from a gm dealer and I had a few ?'s. The t-top strips did not come in gm plastic wrapping and they don't match one is dark black and the other is black and chalky, one has harder rubber and the other is soft. And one is longer then the other where it comes down the door.

Also the door weather strip did not come in GM packaging and it says made in canada on it. I don't know if it is GM or not how can I tell.

I have pics and will add a link.

 

[hanly2]

Here is a link to the striping the one strip is like a flat inner tube I can't see how it will do anything I wish I didn't throw the old stuff out so I could compare this stuff.

http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=90667126

 

[MSDGN]

I did a writeup some time ago...here's the link:

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/ttopseals.html

 

[hanly2]

Cool I will read it. But can you tell me anything about the stripping I have now thats what I need to know.

Thanks,

 

[MSDGN]

That link isn't working for me...

 

[SPOOLED UP]

I did all of this 4 years ago. Bought GM weather stripping. Didn't
like how the one was made and looked so I returned it for a replacement.
Now 4 years later they are already coming apart where the hard
rubber meets the soft rubber at the rear top of the door glass.
Guess I'll be spending another $200.00 + again soon.

 

[hanly2]

Sorry here is the new link check out the album weather stripping.

http://community.webshots.com/user/hanly2

Last night I was comparing the stuff I just got to the stuff on my 88 cutlass and the window and roof seals on the cutlass are like a solid foam that has like a shiny outside were as the stuff that I got from GM is like rubber on the outside and is hollow in the middle if you understand.

 

[MSDGN]

Looked at your pics and it looks like GM stuff to me...my seals were the same way...some of the rubber was soft while other parts of it seemed to be harder...not really consistent...typical GM...if you're not happy with it return it for different pieces...I had to return a weatherstrip piece that attaches to the T-Top 2 times because it was defective..finally got a good one...do the door seals have plastic support pieces in the end?...if so I would say it's GM...the aftermarket stuff I've seen doesn't have that plastic...as for a piece being longer than another one I wouldn't worry about it...you will most likely have to stretch the pieces a little when glueing them in...I did on mine...my suggestion would be to get everything cleaned up...then dry fit all the pieces first before glueing...if you don't like the look or fit return it for another piece...I always suggest dry fitting anyways...another thing you can do is get some 303 Protectant...here's a link:

http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant

...this is some of the best stuff I've seen to protect rubber weatherstripping...before you install the pieces spray this stuff on liberally...let soak in them wipe off...it will soften up the rubber a little plus protect it from UV rays...then redo the weatherstrip a few times a year to make it last...just have to judge when the rubber needs it...it will start to feel a little dry...