| One of the most neglected pieces requiring attention on any classic car is the car's rubber gaskets and seals. In this edition of Eastwood Garage , Dennis is joined by Walter Vaughan from Steele Rubber Products who will tell us just what is involved in creating replacement rubber products for your classic vehicle.
The first question that seems to be important in the rubber replacement process is, “Does Steele Rubber Products have a replacement part for my vehicle?” That answer can be found easily enough by checking their extensive catalog. If the part is in stock, it is shipped to you in no time. But wait! What if there isn't a replacement part for your car? Well, have no fear. If one is not available, the folks at Steele Rubber can make the replacement parts you need.
Walter said that there is extensive research involved in the process, but they have access to a tremendous number of resources to find the exact part that you need. This includes master automobile parts lists from 1912 to the present. Once the correct part is determined, they go to work creating a plaster of paris mold of the part. From that piece, a 3-D laser scan is created, and the image is stored in a computer file. From there, the file is taken to the cutting process where it is used to help make an aluminum mold for the part. Rubber is then squeezed into the mold (much like it is squeezed from a Play-Doh toy), and then it is molded and cured in a 50-foot salt bath at 400°. Next, it is cooled in a water wash and pulled to the proper tension. After that, the ends are bonded to the extrusion. Then the drilling for pin spacing (how you attach the piece to the car) is performed. Finally, the part goes to quality control where it is put through several inspections. After it passes all the tests, it is packaged and shipped to you, ready to install!
The entire manufacturing process takes place at their plant in Denver , North Carolina , so there is no middle man in the deal. If you want to keep the wind and rain out of your classic car, turn to the folks at Steele Rubber Products. You can find them on the web at www.steelerubber.com , or you can give them a call at 800-544-8665. By the way, don't forget when you are looking for unique automotive tools and supplies for your automobile restoration, you should give the folks at Eastwood a visit at www.eastwood.com .
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