Not only fragrances, a heater radiator, and an air filter are responsible for the interior comfort of a car. The rubber seal for car doors is a part that can disrupt the entire microclimate of the internal space if worn or improperly installed, so it is necessary to maintain the seal in proper condition.
Functions of door seal rubber bands
A car door seal is a complex piece of rubber attached to the perimeter of the structure. This inconspicuous product bears a great responsibility, since it:
- does not let hot air into the cabin in summer, and retains heat inside in winter;
- does not allow moisture, dust, sand into the car;
- protects from drafts;
- serves as a gasket between metal parts;
- protects the car from extraneous noise entering the cabin;
- works as a shock absorber of thresholds, doors, edges;
- protects the door structure from freezing in winter;
- ensures quiet slamming of the door;
- blocks squeaks when metal touches.
Purpose
Protecting car doors when opening will easily protect the metal structure from impact or chipping. Film-shaped moldings are used for tuning. The purpose of the product depends on its variation. Let us list the purpose of such an element:
- If a small dent appears on the end or in any other part of the body, the trim will cover it.
- The appearance of the car improves, the appearance of the vehicle becomes modern and stylish.
- The form of transport is visually changing.
- Scratches, partial absence of paint and varnish substances, dents become invisible.
- When opening the door, the edge of which is protected, water and dirt do not enter the interior.
- The edge is protected from metal corrosion, and if rust has already appeared, it is enough to clean the element and glue the area with molding film.
- It is possible to protect the edges of the body from exposure to aggressive environments: moisture, dirt, salt, chemicals.
If you glue rubber protection to the front/rear bumpers, you will be less afraid of a collision while parking. In case of danger, the overlay is an example of a blow to yourself. The external and internal space of the car is glued. A universal molding will also protect the vehicle.
The driver himself decides what size the pad will be and where it will be located.
The role of product quality
Some drivers do not change the door seals for years because the products are of high quality and have a long service life. Owners of budget categories of cars are faced with tire wear more often. However, in both cases it is important how well the owner takes care of the vehicle. With regular treatment of seals, the service life of parts increases significantly.
Car door seals should be maintained all year round. There is a list of tips designed for year-round maintenance, as well as a list created for each season separately. We list the cars that are more likely than others to wear out their seals:
- Frets: Kalina, Granta, Priora;
- Reno Duster;
- Daewoo Lanos;
- Cherie Amulet;
- VAZ 2109, 2110;
- Gazelle;
- Zhiguli.
Advantages of rubber seals
Automotive sealing gaskets have many advantages that, at first glance, are invisible. They isolate the interior from external influences. A correctly installed part will create a comfortable microclimate inside the car at any time of the year.
Here are the main advantages of rubber bands:
- An obstacle to the entry of snow, dirt, rainwater, and dust into the interior.
- Ensuring a tight fit of the doors. Even at high speed, the driver and passengers will not hear the whistling wind.
- When the door slams, the rubber bands soften the blows of the contacting metal parts, and, therefore, protect the roof, body, thresholds, openings, pillars from cracks, scratches, and early wear. This is especially true when the door is slammed very hard or it is closed by a sharp gust of wind.
- Protects against loud sounds from the street.
- They retain heat in the cabin without letting it out in the winter, and in the summer, on the contrary, they keep it cool inside.
- During intense frosts, car door seals prevent door frames from freezing to the openings. For additional effect, it is recommended to lubricate the rubber bands with special compounds - this will allow you to easily open the hood or car door in any cold weather.
- When driving off-road, any unevenness of the road surface is softened by the friction of metal elements during deformation of the body part, located at different levels relative to the axis.
Kinds
Experts recommend selecting rubber seals for a specific car brand. However, in stores you often come across a universal product that fits several brands at the same time. Inserts differ in characteristics; we list the main types:
- the sealing inserts for the trunk have a special bracket that perfectly masks the gap between the trim and the body;
- model for front and rear doors, equipped with an additional rubber edge to block cracks and joints;
- for doorways - can be safely used for horizontal ribs of the engine compartment, as it removes joints and gaps between the body and the hood;
- two-chamber type;
- for fixed windows on minibuses;
- for all European foreign cars.
Installation of overlays
To install the protector you must:
- Dry clean and degrease the area where the element is installed.
- Determine exactly where the edge of the door is clinging or damaged.
- Mark the installation location of the protector.
- Apply double-sided adhesive tape and remove the protective strip from it.
- Press the pad onto the adhesive side.
Healthy! It is best to install the linings in a warm, dry place, as under the influence of cold temperatures they will be less elastic.
A similar procedure is performed with all linings, although some problems may arise with the rear doors, since, as a rule, the ribs in them are thicker. You also need to take into account that the rear doors are not attached at a straight joint.
However, it must be borne in mind that such elements will not last long in any case. In addition, they do not greatly decorate the car body and do not look as stylish.
Dimensions
To determine the size of the sealing rubber, use a tape measure or a sewing centimeter to measure the perimeter of the door and hood. Write down these measurements and take them with you to the store - this way you will never make a mistake when choosing. Another option is to try the rubber band on the door immediately after purchase and determine whether it fits your car.
You can also purchase universal gaskets - they are usually produced with a small margin for use on different brands of machines. After work, cut off the excess with a sharp knife. As a rule, it takes about 5–6 m of material to finish all the doors and hood of a car.
Advantages and disadvantages
Having studied the features of universal protection, it is worth highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of using each type. Let's look at them using the most popular products as an example.
| Variations | pros | Minuses |
| Rubber fragments | Will last a long time. When heated, they change shape. They have relief. | Sizing requires care. If the bevel goes, the appearance of the car will deteriorate. No bright colors. |
| Film | Cheap, easy to install. To be cut and re-installed. Has many colors. | A serious scratch will tear the film, leaving unsightly cuts. The roll is large, you have to pay for the entire product. |
ABS, silicone or plastic are rarely used. The fastening process is inconvenient, there are a number of problems during removal, and they are overpriced.
Which seal material is better?
The main material for the manufacture of automobile seals is rubber. It can withstand sudden temperature changes and lasts a long time with good care. However, drivers have gotten used to replacing rubber bands with products made from other raw materials:
- A tube from a construction hydraulic level with a diameter of 8 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5 mm, made of PVC. The material is short-lived - it bursts in severe frost.
- Vilaterm polyethylene foam cord with a round cross-section. It is characterized by elasticity, good thermal insulation, simple installation, and long service life. Withstands temperatures from -60° C to +80° C.
- With a silicone tube with a diameter of 8 mm, however, it is not easy to push it along the door channel due to sticking.
- Self-adhesive sealant from a hardware store. This is a universal product made of porous material, has an excellent adhesive base, and can withstand temperature changes from -40° C to +65° C. A good choice is the Redmontix seal for profile D, 9x8 mm.
How to attach
There are several ways to glue the rubber seal to the car door:
- double-sided tape 3M;
- glue "Moment";
- silicone sealant;
- glue for rubber products;
- glue gun;
- polyurethane joint sealant;
- epoxy.
All these means are good and bad in their own way, the choice is yours. The best option is polyurethane sealant: it is easy to apply and remove if necessary, and does not cause corrosion. Silicone sealant holds the gasket well, but over time rust appears underneath it. A good option is double-sided tape; it does not leave marks on the paintwork and is easy to install and remove.
There are seals attached to special clips. Sometimes they come complete with a new rubber band. When choosing a self-adhesive rubber seal, no additional adhesive is needed. Just try the product on the door, accurately determine the required length and, carefully removing the protective tape from the adhesive strip, apply the gasket around the perimeter, centimeter by centimeter.
How to install
To install, you will need to select the type of material, purchase a degreaser if it is not included, and prepare the room and equipment. The room should be well lit, heated, and free of drafts. Tools:
- cleaners;
- scissors;
- rags;
- degreaser;
- construction hair dryer;
Regardless of whether you purchased film or rubber strips, the operation algorithm is similar. Instructions:
- The location of the sticker is selected.
- The surface is cleaned of dirt.
- Wipe with a rag and degrease.
- The surface is measured.
- The required piece is cut off.
Using a rag or cotton swab, distribute the substance over the product. Carefully apply to the selected area, press and iron with a rag. Holding will help ensure a secure grip. Excess edges are cut off at the end of the door. In winter, the metal is additionally heated so that the protection is as light as a glove along the edge.
Tips for the whole year
There are rules that can be followed for years to get by with one sealant. You should:
- remove abrasive particles;
- keep rubber bands clean;
- use body chemicals with caution;
- wipe the seals dry, do not leave them wet;
- After washing, do not close the car tightly, let the rubber bands dry;
- Before applying a new product to the seals, carefully study its composition;
- Remove dirt first with a damp cloth, then repeat with a dry one.
You should be careful with rubber seals in winter. The remaining moisture quickly freezes, forming rubber-destroying crystals. In addition, moisture can lead to corrosion on metal frames and fasteners.
Seasonal care of car seals
At different times of the year, seals require certain care:
- In summer, it is useful to treat gum with compounds containing talc. This will save them from sticking to the metal, melting and squeaking.
- In winter, additional care is required: after washing, it is important to wipe the seals dry and treat them with anti-freezing agents. If during the day the air temperature is above zero and at night it drops to minus, then during the daytime do not be too lazy to open the doors and wipe them with a dry cloth. Moisture remaining from the previous day and frozen at night will quickly render the elastic bands unusable after such tests.
- In winter, it is recommended to use silicone compounds. They will prevent the gaskets from freezing to the metal parts of the door, saving them from cracking and rapid wear.
- In winter, at night, do not leave the car so that the driver's seat is on the leeward or north side. This will protect the doors from freezing and allow you to easily enter the interior. Being exposed to a piercing wind all night, the rubber bands will become oak or the doors will completely freeze. As a result, the gaskets quickly tear and burst.
- It is not recommended to pour hot water on frozen locks in winter. There is a risk of getting on glass, which will burst from boiling water, and the paintwork will become covered with bubbles due to temperature changes. The metal under the rubber seal will quickly be corroded by corrosion. It is best to use an alcohol solution or a special composition from a car store.
Types of silicone grease for seals
Silicone lubricant for rubber seals is available in the form of pastes, gels, and aerosols:
- Pastes are applied with a napkin to seals that have been previously cleaned of dust and dirt, but they are difficult to reach hard-to-reach places.
- Gels are easier to apply due to their fluid structure. The exception is too liquid compositions that end up on parts that do not need lubrication. Average price – 130 rubles. per can.
- Aerosols are a universal product, as they can be used to treat even distantly located elements. However, when sprayed, the composition gets onto neighboring parts, leaving a greasy mark on them, so you should choose cans with long spouts. It is necessary to spray the product in an even layer without removing it. If you are preparing your car for winter, you can also spray the locks and window seals.
When choosing lubricants, do not be lazy to read the composition and instructions.
How to glue a seal to a car door
The market for sealing rubber bands is rich in choice and does not require much effort to glue them yourself. And so, we clean the surface from dirt, dust and moisture. Degrease the rubber band and the area of the door on which we will glue the seal with alcohol or solvent. Apply “88” glue to the adhesive surfaces. And we join the seal and the door opening with pressure for 5 - 10 minutes.
And then, again we enjoy the warmth, silence in our favorite car and the work done.
Regardless of the model, year and make of your car, you need to take care of it in a timely manner. The sealing rubber will serve you for many years, providing a seal. When the sealing rubbers are deformed, you may see torn spots and cracks on them. In this case, they need to be replaced urgently. Because they no longer serve their purpose.
