Applies to: Pre-molded door weatherstripping with factory-installed clips, pins, and molded cornersβtypically for hardtops and sedans from the 1950s-1980s.
What You'll Need
- 3M Black Weatherstrip Adhesive (GL-11)
- Trim removal tools (GL-30)
- Pliers (for removing old clips)
- Clean rags and rubbing alcohol
- Painter's tape
- Nitrile gloves (GL-10)
- Krazy Glue (for minor rubber repairs)
π‘ Tip: Our Complete Installation Kit (GLK-1) has everything you need except the pliers.
β οΈ Important Warnings
DO NOT remove preinstalled clips from your new seal! They're positioned precisely for your vehicle.
Check pin alignment FIRST! Before inserting ANY pins, verify all pins line up with their corresponding holes.
If you remove a seal with pins, the rubber may tear. Use Krazy Glue to repair small tears if needed.
The Golden Rule
Install the seal completely DRY first. Test-fit. THEN add adhesive.
This prevents messy mistakes and lets you verify proper fit before committing.
Step-by-Step Installation
1. PREPARE
- Study your old seal before removingβnote where it attaches and how
- Remove old seal from one door only (keep other side for reference)
- Use pliers to wiggle and remove old clips from holes
- Clean the door jamb channel thoroughly with rubbing alcohol
- Scrape out any old adhesive or debris
2. ORIENT Your New Seal
- Left and right seals are differentβdon't mix them up
- The curved sealing lip always faces toward the car body
- Match corner angles on new seal to corner angles on door
- If lip curves away from body, you have the wrong side
3. DRY-FIT (No Glue Yet!)
Install the entire seal without adhesive:
- Start with first clip on lock side (A)
- Insert first clip on hinge side (B)
- This aligns the top section
- For grooved areas: angle the lock-in flange into groove, squeeze until seated
- Continue inserting clips around the perimeter
- Make sure each clip clicks firmly into its hole
4. TEST CLOSE
Close the door to test fit:
- Door will close harder at firstβthis is normal
- Metro SUPERsoft seals will "degas" and conform within a few days
- If door won't latch, recheck seal positioning
5. NOW ADD ADHESIVE
Once the seal is properly positioned, add adhesive to these critical areas:
| Location | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Between clips | Gently lift rubber, apply a small dot of adhesive, press back |
| Upper hinge area | This section often has no clipsβadhesive is critical here |
| Grooved sections | Apply thin bead inside groove at top 1-6" only |
Pro Tip: Work in sections. Lift the rubber slightly, apply a dot of adhesive, then press it back into position. Don't try to glue everything at once.
6. CURE
- Leave door open for 1 hour minimum
- Full cure: 24 hours
- Don't slam the door during the curing period
- Repeat for passenger side and rear doors
Where to Apply Adhesive
Even though molded seals have clips, adhesive is still important for a long-lasting, leak-free installation:
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β ADHESIVE IN GROOVE (1-6") β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β(G) β β ADHESIVE CRITICAL
β β DOOR OPENING β β (No clips here)
β β β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β (H) ADHESIVE DOTS BETWEEN CLIPS β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
START HERE (A) β β (B) THEN HERE
- (A) Lock sideβinstall first clip here
- (B) Hinge sideβinstall second for alignment
- (G) Upper hinge areaβglue only, no clips
- (H) Between all clipsβsmall dots of adhesive
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Clips won't line up | Wrong seal or debris in holes | Verify part number; clean holes thoroughly |
| Door won't close | Seal too thick or misaligned | Reposition seal; allow break-in time (2-3 days) |
| Door won't latch | Seal installed incorrectly | Recheck orientation; ensure clips are fully seated |
| Seal pulls away between clips | No adhesive used | Add adhesive dots between each clip |
| Rubber torn at pin | Seal was removed/repositioned | Repair with Krazy Glue |
| Wind noise after install | Gap in seal | Inspect perimeter; add adhesive at gaps |
| Water leaks in | Seal not seated in groove | Check grooved sections; reseat and add adhesive |
What to Expect After Installation
| Time | What's Happening |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Doors close firmlyβthis is normal with new seals |
| Days 2-3 | Metro SUPERsoft seals feature a Custom Adjusting Compound (CAC) that conforms to your door. Closing effort decreases noticeably. |
| Week 1 | Seal should be fully broken in with perfect, airtight closure |
Still closing hard after a week? Check alignment and reposition if needed. The seal may be installed slightly off.
Pro Tips
- Keep the other door's seal intact as a reference until you've finished
- Take photos before removalβhelpful for clip positions and orientation
- Clean holes thoroughlyβdebris prevents clips from seating fully
- Don't force clipsβif they won't go in, check for debris or wrong part
- New seals are thicker than crushed old onesβexpect firmer closure initially