How to Fix a Lifted Roof Trim on a Car?

[Devin]

To fix a lifted roof trim on a car, you can simply glue it back yourself or visit a 4S shop for professional repair. Below are the functions of the roof trim: 1. The roof trim mainly serves a decorative purpose and does not have a waterproofing function. It helps guide rainwater during rainfall. 2. Another function of the roof trim is to cover the welding points, as the connection between the roof and the side panels uses standard spot welding, leaving many exposed welding points. Here is more information about the trim: (1) For roofs with trim, the connection between the roof panel and the side panels uses standard spot welding. The rubber trim serves to cover the welding seams. Additionally, the slightly lower position of the rubber trim helps guide rainwater during rainfall. (2) For roofs without trim, laser welding is used, resulting in a smooth appearance with only two grooves designed to guide water.

[MacDerek]

I was also quite anxious when the roof trim on my car started peeling last time. This issue usually boils down to three reasons: aging and deformation of the trim, adhesive failure, or improper installation. The repair process involves a few steps: first, use a heat gun to soften the trim (be careful not to overheat and damage the paint), clean off the old adhesive thoroughly, then apply specialized automotive adhesive and flatten it with a squeegee. Doing it yourself requires some patience—it took me about half an hour to fix. If the trim is severely cracked, spending around a hundred bucks to replace it with a new one is more hassle-free. Usually, try to avoid parking in direct sunlight, and regularly spraying some rubber protectant can extend its lifespan. These little tricks that seasoned drivers know are quite effective.

[VanEliza]

My old car also had the rubber seal lifting before, and this kind of issue can't be rushed. When I pried open the seal, I found dirt and sand inside—turns out the high-pressure car wash had loosened the adhesive. I went to an auto detailing shop and got a tube of sealant, squeezed it in, pressed the seal tight, and secured it with electrical tape for a day. The shop owner said many cars develop this issue after five or six years, mainly due to poor-quality adhesive. Regular maintenance is crucial; avoid spraying water directly at the seal when washing the car. Applying a bit of petroleum jelly while wiping the car weekly works wonders. If the seal is severely deformed, don't force a repair—just replace it with an OEM part, which only costs a few hundred bucks.

[HarleyFitz]

Fixing a warped weatherstrip is actually quite simple. First, soften the strip with a hot towel, clean the base surface, and then apply black silicone sealant. When pressing it down, work from the center outward to remove air bubbles, and finally weigh it down with a large dictionary overnight. Many members of our car club often use 3M heavy-duty double-sided tape, cutting it into thin strips for better adhesion. Veteran mechanics at modification shops say this issue is most common during summer heat, and promptly drying the sealant gaps after rain is crucial. Nowadays, those new-style weatherstrips with drainage channels available online cost just a few dozen bucks—replacing them yourself is much easier than repairing.