My del Sols seals around the windows and roof are getting a shiny glaze and are getting harder and discolored.

I've heard that certain types of silicone spray can correct this and even make my roof stop rattling. Is there any truth to this?

Whether or not there is. What would be your suggestions to get these seals back to a decent and water repelling state?

Thanks in advance

 

Silicone grease spray is what people use. But I also saw somewhere that Di-electric grease is better. You use it for spark plug boots, and under hood electrical connections..

I bought a tube of it for like $6 at the local Auto parts store zone area thingy..

I have not used it yet, because I thought I had my problem solved with my older gaskets leaking, but the last rain storm said that I was wrong! (whole other issue.. see below)

I have used the silicone spray, and it didnt seem to do much, got my fingers black when I put the top in the back, tho my gaskets were always pretty pliable.. it didn't quite "puff up"..

Anyway, try Die-electric grease, u can get it in small $0.99 packs to start...

Also, do you have the '95+ front seal?(goes from door to door under the targa) Because they are notorious for leaking in 93-4s, as it was a design flaw, but never made a recall.. (they want to stick you for $175 or so from the Stealership! (rant off)) So, if you haven't got that replaced, you may want to start there, and hope you can get the old ones to puff up a bit.. (if not they will leak no matter what)

Also, Targa tops are notorious for making noise.. I hate to say it, but turn up the radio lol. Its just the design of them, and ALL cars that are 16+ yrs old have sounds, but because of the beating a targa car takes, it makes many more! (Solid roof keeps the body from flexing, targa roof barely provides that kind of support from body torque and flex, etc..)

Not much else you can do except replace ALL the gaskets, yet as above, you prob wont fix all the rattles..

Good luck!

 

Well the rattling isnt that big of a deal to me. and yes. that roof leaks, ALOT. it ticked me off because a huge storm came through awhile ago and my floors have puddles. is there any way i can get those replacement seals for the roof cheaper? are they easy to install? ill try that grease but im really looking to improve the cosmetic look of the seals along with improved functionality.

 

Here's what they use on the s2000 weather strips on the roof. It is what I also use on my del sol.

 

Just so you know New weather strip set is

72320-SR2-043 WEATHERSTRIP, FR. PILLAR $133.41
72330-SR2-033 WEATHERSTRIP, RR. PILLAR $262.49
85141-SR2-033 WEATHERSTRIP, R. ROOF SIDE $67.28
85191-SR2-033 WEATHERSTRIP, L. ROOF SIDE $70.49

Grand total is $533.67

 

Done this before Nbboy7!? lol

Thanks for the info!

 

I had a 92 chrysler convertible that leaked, rattled and whistled. I used this roll on seal and rubber conditioner called gummi pflege. It is ~$10 on amazon. It made a big difference. Now I use it and 303 on all seals.

 

ok. im definitely going to the auto store and getting silicone grease. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks for all the great info!

 

I bought NAPPA brand Sil-glide and applied it to all the seals. i will see how it works later.

Where did you get these owners manual pages? i really need an owners manual.

 

I used 3M silicon grease I got at NAPA. Not cheap $30 for a 8 oz can but I use it on everything.

 

my two cents: just my experience with silicone sprays and rubber parts on the car, it works well to condition material that is in decent shape helping it to last longer. (this includes weather strip, coolant hoses, vacuum hoses, grommets, ect.) I've never had success "bringing it back" to good shape after it has begun to break down. it may look better but won't be more resilient.

 

I knew when i bought my del Sol that it was going to leak. but really. a freakin flood!!

I just had to dry out my car after it spawned a lake inside. It's seriously getting out of hand. I dont have the money to replace the weather stripping, and ive used silicone grease all over this thing.

Is there anything else i can do to stop this one little leak that is towards the front on the passengers side??? That somehow seems to make a huge puddle.

 

Put a tarp over it if you don't want to buy new weatherstripping. Or go to a junkyard or something and find one in good condition

 

seriously you cant afford weatherstripping? i got a complete kit brand new for my old eg hatch on ebay for $60 with free shipping.

 

how'd it fit, work, last?

 

new weather stripping for a del sol is pretty expensive from what i hear. is there anything i can wedge between the top and the car to help stop it?

 

fit 99%, had a few clips that were off just a tad bit, but easy enough to make it work.

it worked, it didn't leak

and i had the car for 6 months afterwards and had no problems until my motor blew up lol

 

what exactly is leaking? weather stripping is inexpensive, unless you get it at the dealer

 

Yellow, you should have just bumped your thread, instead of starting a new one.. but its ok, you're new..

That said, reconditioning seals will take a while, and several applications to work, as they have been neglected for a long time, its not going to fix itself overnight.

I also have to use a tarp, and bunjie cords, to keep the rain out until I get the seals replaced. Tho, the good news is, you only have to replace the front one to get most of the common leaks to stop.

92LX, in his other thread, someone posted the total cost of all 4 seals, and its about $550! tho as I said its usually just the front, and its just (heh JUST!) $150.

I'm saving $$ for mine now, watching the weather forecast and using a tarp when its going to rain until I can replace it.

I will update when I do as to how effective it was...

Good luck!

 

Related threads merged.

 

Thanks for the info about bumping, but im unfamiliar about how to "bump" it.
Do i just type the word bump?

about the seals. I did go ahead and order the new seal for the front that wraps around the windshield posts. Im confident this will fix the issue. I get very good deals from my honda dealer since ive given them alot of business and they are small and not well known here in Mississippi.

Could one of you please give me some advice so that i can get the most out of this forum and be able to give back to it?

 

Go ahead and ask questions, or give answers when you happen to know something about it, or go ahead and say "I have this too... heres my experience..." etc...

"Bump" means to post in a thread to bring it to the top so its easier to see. Its better to bump a previous thread with new info than to make a new one, as both would be top post, but bumping does not put extra load on the server..

After thousands of threads, that are re-posted, the server would bog down, or cost our gracious hosts more, or both. *beer*

(I'm no expert on the rules, these are just good guidelines overall)

Anyway, how much did you get the seal for? I need one too! lol

 

I got the seal ( just the fron one ) for $169, with a 10% loyal customer discout it came to $140 then only $20 to install it. So $160 overall. and this is from a dealership.

But like I said before, I am very well known by this dealership and give them lots of repeat business. I take my Pilot for service there too. Everyone there knows me by my del Sol.

So I got a better deal, with labor included. But it was a special circumstance.

My recommendation is to give a Honda dealer a try. See if you can butter them up and they'll probably give you a good deal. And then again, possibly not.

But I wish you the best of luck. BTW that avatar is epic!