How to Repair and Maintain Weather Stripping on Car Doors
Use these simple tips to repair torn weather stripping on car doors quickly and easily. Plus, learn about a simple application treatment to prevent further damage in the winter months.
During the winter, water can freeze around the door’s weather stripping, effectively locking you out of your car. If you use force to pull the door and break the ice, the weather striping can tear right off the door.
Here’s how to repair the damaged weather stripping:
- Buy a tube of weather-stripping adhesive, a can of nonflammable spray brake cleaner and a can of spray silicone (all are available at any auto parts store).
- Pull the weather stripping away from the door and clean it and the metal surface with the brake cleaner. Let that dry completely.
- Squeeze a bead of the adhesive onto the weather stripping and the door. Let that dry.Â
- Apply a second coat to both surfaces and press the weather strip into place. Clean up any adhesive messes with the brake cleaner.
- Hold it in place with masking tape until the adhesive dries (about 45 minutes). Pull the tape free.
…And to prevent it from happening again, take this extra step:
- Â Spray silicone on the weather strip on the other doors and trunk lid, which will add another layer of protection against ice.
It’s good preventive maintenance to treat all the weather stripping before winter every year.
Here’s more advice on how to get your car ready for winter.
Originally Published on The Family Handyman
