I rec'd a new weatherstrip kit and am going to start installing soon. Any tips on the best way to install? The strip that goes around the lower door is held in with plastic barbed pins. Is that all that holds that in, or should I use some adhesive too? The car didn't have any weatherstrip when I got it, so I don't have a reference.

My door fit is off as well, and I've been waiting to install the new weatherstrip before dialing it in better. Is it better to do the weatherstrip first, or finalize the door fit first?

thanks for any tips/suggestions!

I would get the doors fitted first.
The weatherstripping is held in with the push-in clips
and weatherstripping adhesive. Use 3M 8008. Good stuff.

Yes definitely fit the door first, then you know its right before adding in the weatherstrip factor.

I didn't use any adhesive on mine. The push pins are located so that the weatherstrip has to streach slightly to get the pins in, which holds it place pretty well.
I agree on trying to align the door first then add the weatherstrip.

Thanks for the tips guys. I don't know why that was counter-intuitive for me. But after hearing you guys say it, it makes perfect sense to line up the door first.

I'll put a little adhesive on there too...Let's see what kind of mess I can make with that process!

Didn't use adhesive 20 years ago and never had a problem, replaced a couple of years ago and had no scrapping to do

The coup is 100% no glue on strips. In fact, glueing the trunk strip in will--most likely--make it leak. I'm not going to explain why because it requires simple logic to understand.

I didn't use adhesive on my coupe and I'm thinking I might go back and add some. It works (seals) fine without it, but it doesn't look smooth with just the clips holding it in. It bunches up around the clips. I seem to remember cleaning off old sealer when I removed my old door seals.

Tom

Update...

I installed the lower door seals and used 3M 8008 adhesive. Seemed to work OK. I didn't use much...didn't want to make a mess. I had a hell of a time getting those little plastic plugs/tabs into the door. Thought my thumb was going to fall of by the end.

The seal is on there and seems to be holding up well. I don't think the adhesive is doing a ton...piece of mind I guess. Really had to slam the door the first few times...but it's much easier now. Good job done. About 10 million more to go.

I am adjusting the windows on my conv. right now and I need the weatherstipping on to get it right before the conv. top is installed. So the sides are no problem because they screw on but the header weatherstripping has pins and I am not sure I can put it on and get it back off without breaking pins.
What have you guys done here. Can you put the weatherstripping on before the vinyl conv. top material or does the top material go under the weatherstripping?
EB

Hi EB,
The convertible top material can go under the header bow weatherstrip. I used the weatherstrip to hide the cut edge where the vert top material ended. Vert top material on the front, then weatherstrip, then header bow metal.
It likely doesn't have to go under there, but I think it looks cleaner and I think most shops do it this way. But there I go thinking again LOL !!! I've heard that somewhere.

68ragtop455,
Thanks for that info!! it answers a question for me

Hi Dion,

What I was wonder in my question was can I put the header weatherstripping on with no top material or using adhesive for the window fitting process and then get it back off again to use adhesive for final assembly without breaking the pins on the weatherstripping. Or do you adjust the windows without this header molding weatherstripping on.
My car, as I have said in another post, was COMPLETELY apart when I got it so all my windows and mechanics where all out and need to be adjusted to the top that was also off.

Eldon

Eldon,
I can only tell you what I did when I installed my top (as as I am sure you know I am NOOOOOO professional). I have the 1 piece Metro weatherstrip on the front & sides. It also does above the PS & DS windows. I put it on before the top install and set my windows. I removed the strip pins with a V notched tool and installed the top. I didn't break any pins. What I failed to account for was the 3 layers of material that went under the weatherstrip. it raised the header bow slightly and I had to mess with the windows again to get them fully up. Even now I need to cut the expensive 1 piece Metro strip as there is a gap in the top front of each window that leaks. I am not impressed with the Metro stuff as I have had to modify a few of the pieces to make them work (and I bought all Metro stuff for the whole car). FWIW you could try putting in one of the pins and see if it'll come back out. If you are gonna glue anyway.

Thanks Dion,
I will try that. I am down to this and then final primer and block sanding and then paint. Getting close.

I yeild the post back to jshepard, sorry!