How to deal with aging windshield rubber seals?
3 Answers
Generally speaking, during vehicle assembly, the windshield is installed first and sealed properly. For owners who aren't particular about appearance and just want to prevent cracking and dust entry, structural adhesive or glass glue can be directly applied. For owners with OCD tendencies, they can purchase ordinary "T-shaped" rubber seals online, remove the aged ones, and replace them with new ones.
After driving my own car for a long time, the windshield rubber seal became hard and cracked. Once when it rained, water leaked in and the seats got wet, which made me realize the seriousness of the issue. At the time, I first used a soft cloth dipped in cleaner to wipe the seal and remove dust, then went to an auto shop to buy a bottle of silicone oil maintenance spray, applied it evenly, and tried to soften it. However, the aging was too severe, and it didn’t help much. In the end, I went to a repair shop and spent 200 yuan to replace the new seal, which fixed the problem. Since then, I’ve been paying attention to the condition of the seal. When washing the car, I clean it to avoid dirt buildup and reduce sun exposure to protect its elasticity. Old cars are most afraid of these small issues escalating and affecting safety.
As someone who enjoys DIY car repairs, when encountering aging weatherstrips, I first conduct a thorough inspection: checking for cracks or hardening that causes loss of elasticity. Cleaning is a crucial step—using a damp cloth or soft brush to remove dirt, letting it dry, then applying rubber conditioner and massaging it in for absorption; minor aging can often be restored this way. If that doesn’t work, replacement is necessary. I purchase the correct model online, carefully remove the old strip, clean off any residual adhesive to ensure a clean, oil-free surface, then evenly apply specialized adhesive and press the new strip firmly into place, taking care not to scratch the glass. This DIY approach saves costs but requires patience and proper tools. Parking in a garage to avoid sun exposure, which accelerates aging, is also important.
