Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 08:21 PM
  #1  
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From: con3
Default Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Whuddup HT.

I discovered a wonderful way of reconditioning old weatherstrips. As we all know, the OEM replacements are discontinued.

First step, remove the weatherstrips. Duh.

Step two, find di-electric grease and purchase it.


Third, apply di-electric grease liberally over the entire weatherstrip. Make sure that there are no dry areas on the entire weatherstrip.


Fourth, clean off all remaining di-electric grease from weatherstrip with mild or dilute degreaser [such as purple power 1:15 ratio.]

Five. Reinstall.

bump for pix0rz./
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 04:16 AM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

IDK man.. If im going thru all the trouble of removing the weather strip, im just going to replace it with a new set..
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 04:37 AM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

How does this "recondition" the weatherstripping? Looks like you just turn it black for a while with the grease.
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 05:02 AM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Go to junkyard, find civic with weather stripping in excellent shape and remove it. Pay $10 then replace your old weather stripping.

The poster above who said if you are gonna bother to remove it, replace was100% correct.
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 09:27 AM
  #5  
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From: con3
Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

There are limited junkyards in my area, none of them have a CRX in the yard.

I was under the impression that these weatherstrips for my car are discontinued.

This technique is applicable to all types of weatherstrip.

There was glue, dirt, and overspray paint on different parts of my weatherstrip. The di-electric grease and solvents seemed to dissolve it all and strip it back to bare rubber.

After finishing, I noticed the weatherstrip seemed to have absorbed most of the di-electric grease -- The rubber swelled up in the areas it had been crunched/collapsed, water now beads on the rubber and is not absorbed, and a deep black color/shine has been restored.

Your mileage may vary.
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 09:38 AM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Post better pictures.


They MAY be disscontinued for the CRX, but, this isn't the CRX section.
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 11:10 AM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

I like the potential here. Weatherstripping, whether discontinued or not, is expensive. In for "after" pics.
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 11:13 AM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

yea.. but look how long its held up.. Id pay $$ for another 10-15 years of fresh looking weatherstripping
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 11:45 AM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Thanks for the post!

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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 08:31 PM
  #10  
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From: con3
Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

So I took a few pix0rz of the weatherstrip operation.

My camera isn't very high-quality, but what you see is what you get.

The glossy sheen you see in the pics is odd - it doesn't show up when you look at the weatherstrips, but on film it is quite pronounced. The water beads on the weatherstrips, so maybe that's why they appear glossy in the pics.











What you see is what you get. Pizizorxes don't really show much - but I can assure you that these 23yr old weatherstrips look a fvck of a lot better than they did before I did this.

And the window glides effortlessly up and down the track, with a very tight whistle-free seal at high speed. Best of luck HT with all of your weatherstrip reconditioning goals of 2012.
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 05:09 AM
  #11  
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Originally Posted by Corksil
Best of luck HT with all of your weatherstrip reconditioning goals of 2012.


Thanks for the idea! It's much better than spending hundreds of dollars on all new weather stripping!
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Old Dec 13, 2011 | 10:52 PM
  #12  
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From: con3
Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

I'm about to do my second door. What does HT want pix0rz of? I sourced a better camera.
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Old Dec 13, 2011 | 11:00 PM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Before/after.


Please.
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Old Dec 13, 2011 | 11:11 PM
  #14  
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From: con3
Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Step one
- Remove weatherstrip. Depending on the year of the car, it will be held in by a number of Green snap connectors.
[pic]

- Soak the weatherstrip in a light solution of degreaser and water. Remove the weatherstrip and apply di-electric grease liberally over entire area to be reconditioned.
[pic]

- Use solvents on a rag to remove all excess di-electric grease from the weatherstrip. Installation is reverse of removal.
[pic]
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Old Dec 14, 2011 | 04:31 AM
  #15  
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Simple Green is organic and is good for getting off grease and organic matter. What ever the matter is. Doesnt change the chemical makeup of rubber either.
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 03:33 PM
  #16  
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Another "old school" trick is to use baby oil on all of your seals after they are clean. Keeps them soft.

Since we are on the subject of seals for a CRX. What other model (years) use the same seal? Maybe if say a 95 Civic used the same seal and it was avalable.......
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 04:35 PM
  #17  
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

I'm interested to see how this turns out in the long run. Props for a good DIY.
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 02:57 PM
  #18  
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Originally Posted by Wolf Si
Another "old school" trick is to use baby oil on all of your seals after they are clean. Keeps them soft.

Since we are on the subject of seals for a CRX. What other model (years) use the same seal? Maybe if say a 95 Civic used the same seal and it was avalable.......
Most Baby Oils are a petroleum product and will eat away at the rubber.
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Old Feb 18, 2012 | 08:18 PM
  #19  
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From: con3
Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

Di electric grease has re pufffed up my seals and the water beads on them now.

They have a deep black shine too them, without looking glossy.

I did this a while ago and they are still looking nice.
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 07:43 PM
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Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

So your not using the Dupli-Color for this...(in the first pic), just the electric grease and cleaner? Sounds pretty sweet and easy. Possibly even usable were I don't want to remove the weather stripping?
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 08:07 PM
  #21  
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From: con3
Default Re: Reconditioning Weatherstripping [DIY]

No I did not use the duplicolor product for this. It just happened to be in the same picture.

To all the people saying this sounds retarded etc... I'm not really concerned with that particular opinion. This procedure worked perfectly and my weatherstrips are the proof.

It's hard to convey in the pictures but my weatherstrips in my hands, and on my car are proof enough for me. Try it out and see for yourself if it works for you.

@veece - It works best if you remove the weatherstrip and fully clean it, as dirty buildup of mung in out-of-sight cracks is the first step to developing successful rust holes.

Clean all that crap out, and you lessen your chances of contracting rust.

I suppose you could just do this to the exposed sides of the preinstalled weatherstrips, but I had to take mine off for the full restoration.

best of luck!
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