| Today in Eastwood Garage, Dennis is joined by Walter Vaughan of Steele Rubber Products. Today’s topic is just how quickly the rubber parts on your classic car can deteriorate. Both men agree that the two biggest enemies of the rubber on your car are ultra violet rays and the ozone. Over the years, your classic car will be exposed to an abundance of both. Now, before Dennis and Walter perform a much needed trunk seal replacement on a 1971 Cutlass, Walter tells about a few of the other parts that deteriorate with age that many owners may tend to neglect. While parts such as trunk seals and door and window seals are fairly obvious when they need attention, Walter points out that the cowl seal is perhaps even more important because it keeps engine fumes in the engine compartment where they belong and out of the interior of the vehicle. He also suggests that motor mounts be replaced in order to avoid extensive mechanical repairs later down the road. Another tip that both men give is regarding a common misconception that using silicon based dressings and cleaners for your rubber parts will prolong the life of the seals and gaskets on your car. Nothing could be farther from the truth, as these substances actually enhance deterioration.
Next, Dennis and Walter begin to examine the trunk seal on the 1971 Cutlass. Both men agree that the gasket that is currently on the car is not an OEM replacement. However, the gasket that Walter and Dennis will install from Steele Rubber Products has been produced to exact OEM specifications. The first thing they do is to use some weather strip remover, spraying it along the bottom of the old seal. After it is applied, the wait time is approximately one-half hour until the old adhesive is dissolved. One important reminder, you’ll want to remember that when performing this step you should do it in a well-ventilated area because those fumes can be harmful.
After the time had passed for the remover to take effect, Walter pulled the old seal away from the car. Then with a shop towel and the aerosol remover, he cleaned away any residue left from the old seal. With a dry towel, he completely cleaned the surface where the new adhesive would be applied. After applying a thin bead of adhesive, he and Dennis began in the middle of the trunk and proceeded to install the new seal. After going completely around the opening, they simply cut the gasket to fit and meet in the middle. With a shutting of the trunk, it’s now “case closed” on this project!
There are just a few more details that you should consider. When Walter and Dennis began to install the new seal, they didn’t have to worry about putting it in the right way because every seal and gasket from Steele Rubber Products comes with a set of detailed directions for installation. Second, this gasket will probably be the last trunk gasket this car ever needs, because parts from Steele Rubber are made from an EPDM blended rubber that is made to resist ultra violet rays and the ozone. So, there you have it! Superior parts, directions for installation, and after just a little time spent, you can make sure there will be no more fumes, no more wind noise, and no more leaks. This is all courtesy of the folks at Steele Rubber Products. If you would like to learn more about the parts that are available from Steele Rubber Products, give them a visit on the web at www.steelerubber.com, or you can give them a call at 800-834-7833. 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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