Looking for a suitable Sealant/ Adhesive

[troywilliams]

Hello Everyone,

I'm in the process of carefully restoring my fathers 944 S2.

I'm at the point of replacing seals and I'm planning to replace, both sunroof seals, the hatch seal, rear light seals, both the body and the door seals and the rear quarter glass seals.
I have seen online that a silicone sealant would be suitable, and I was thinking about using the Granville Clear Silicone Sealant which states it's a multi purpose sealant and adhesive. However I would like some clarification from those who have had some experience in replacing the above seals that this sealant would be suitable for my application and any tips on the re-fitment.

I would also be grateful to find out if a silicone sealant would damage any paintwork it came in contact with, how difficult it would be to remove in the future and that I could also use it to stick down the vinyl that sits/folds over the seams before refitting the seals.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Troy

 

[vitesse]

I haven't replaced all seals totally but those I have ,have done as follows:-
I use contact adhesive to fix vinyl trim / underlying felt sound padding to aperture reveals.
No sealant to door seals but make certain the "Spring" grip within the rubber moulding is properly home over the vinyl/ carpet using a short piece of Oak handrail as a mallet( a rubber mallet would do).
No sealant on either section of sunroof but trim as above.
No sealant on rear hatch but use the Oak mallet where accessible-it's necessary to "Stretch" the body rubber from the top a little to ensure the ends meet at the centre bottom with careful attention to the curved areas at top corners & bottom transitions to the level run to the rear corners.
I have used puncture repair glue on the small rubber tube the connects the ends at the bottom centre joint.

 

[troywilliams]

Hi Troy,
Agree with previous answer - also, for the rear lights you need butyl rubber sealing strip, you can get enough to do the job many times for about a tenner on ebay, for example this ebay item number: 303855974339. It's a bit like a tough version of plasticene, black, and you can form it into the seal channels on the backs of the light clusters.

 

[Frenchy]

Vitesse good tip with the small connector hose on the rear seal, mine is always moving out of position,this has prompted me to glue it in??

 

[vitesse]

My pleasure James-many of the things we need to do on our cars are only needed infrequently so innovation is necessary -it's not often economic to procure the professional products for the small quantities one requires.

Troy-if you find difficulty getting the rubber seal over thick carpet/felt/vinyl combinations,it is possible to spread the "spring " open end carefully using a broad cold chisel or similar tool until it slips over using say a mallet & then nip it tighter with careful use of large pincers-put some insulating tape over sharp edges to avoid damaging the rubber covering.
Colin.

 

[dlknight]

Surprised no one has said but whatever you do don't get silicone anywhere near your paint work or car - you will never get it off completely as it bonds on a molecular level as far as I understand it.

No sealant needed on the rubber seals and not mentioned in the official workshop manual, as above only time I used adhesive was to stick back some of the interior trim which had come away when replacing the rear quarter windows. I used some Dunlop Thixofix contact adhesive - make sure you use it in a well ventilated area and possibly with a mask capable of filtering chemicals as it isn't pleasant stuff!

Not sure of the longevity of my fix but for the rear lights I used some neoprene rubber strip which you can purchases in lengths from the bay of e for not much of your british pounds. Much easier to work with than that horrible messy butyl tape and easier to remove in future if required. Tested mine and it is water tight - no leaks and I used a pressure washer to test.

 

[troywilliams]

Hello All,

Thank you for taking the time to reply, and for all your helpful advice. Apologies I have only just replied!

I will have to get hold of some of the butyl rubber strips for the rear lights. Would Gorilla Clear Contact Adhesive work for reattaching the interior trim to the body before fitting new seals? I was hoping to use it for that and also for re attaching the fabric top lining inside the centre armrest?

When replacing the rear quarter window seals, I assume there is no requirement for sealant when fitting the windows into the seal or when fitting the seal and window back into the body of the car?

Kind regards,

Troy

 

[dlknight]

Hello All,

Thank you for taking the time to reply, and for all your helpful advice. Apologies I have only just replied!

I will have to get hold of some of the butyl rubber strips for the rear lights. Would Gorilla Clear Contact Adhesive work for reattaching the interior trim to the body before fitting new seals? I was hoping to use it for that and also for re attaching the fabric top lining inside the centre armrest?

When replacing the rear quarter window seals, I assume there is no requirement for sealant when fitting the windows into the seal or when fitting the seal and window back into the body of the car?

Kind regards,

Troy

Hi Troy - contact adhesive should be fine for interior trim.

Correct - nothing needed for quarter windows - just attach the rubber seal to the window and refit

 

[troywilliams]

Hello,

Thank you that's brilliant.

Looks like I'm going to be pretty busy with the car, when I can get the final few parts organised.

Kind Regards,

Troy