Rubbers

When we refer to 'rubbers', we mean the rubber-like seals which seal the roof where it meets the windows and top of the windscreen.

Unlike normal cars, most convertible cars do not have door pillars and frames around the window, meaning that when the doors are closed, the glassware interfaces directly with rubbers attached to the hood.  It is essential for a waterproof seal for these rubbers to remain clean, free from debris and supple, so they don't deform, crack or become weak. Rubbers can be revived with a conditioner, otherwise they may need to be replaced if they are severely perished.

These rubbers may also have scoops and channels to drain water away and form part of the roof's drainage system.

What it means

Rubbers is the everyday term detailers and leak specialists use for the rubber seals and trims around a car. These include door aperture seals, window frame rubbers, boot and tailgate seals, bonnet rubbers and the various seals that run around a convertible roof. They are usually hollow or foam-filled sections of rubber that compress when doors, glass and roofs close, forming a cushion and a barrier against water and wind.

Why it matters

• Critical for keeping water out: Even with good paint and membranes, tired or shrunken rubbers can leave gaps that let rain water track into doors, pillars, boots and the cabin.
• Affects wind noise and refinement: Rubbers that no longer seal properly can cause whistling, buffeting and general wind noise at speed, making the car feel older and less refined.
• Big visual cue for neglect: Green, crusty rubbers covered in algae and lichen instantly make a car look uncared-for, especially around soft tops and glass.
• Can stress other components: If rubbers are too hard or misshapen, doors and tailgates may need slamming to latch, putting extra strain on hinges and catches.

Where you’ll see it

You will see rubbers mentioned in inspection reports, leak diagnoses and detailing notes. Typical comments include clean roof and rubbers, rubbers green with algae, door rubbers perished or rubbers shrunken causing gap at top of door. In soft-top work, phrases like clean roof and rubbers or roof green, rubbers also green are common, as the same conditions that affect the roof fabric also affect the surrounding seals.

Context

Rubbers sit at the boundary between the moving parts of the car and the fixed body shell. They work together with glass alignment, hinges, latches, membranes and drainage channels to manage water and wind. Over time, UV, ozone, temperature changes and simple compression set can harden and flatten rubbers, while dirt, algae and lichen build up on the surface. Regular cleaning and occasional dressing can help keep them supple and presentable, but badly perished, cracked or shrunken rubbers often need replacement to restore proper sealing. When diagnosing leaks, it is important to look at the condition and contact of the rubbers as well as the more obvious roof and panel areas.

Common mistakes

• Blaming all leaks on the roof fabric or glass and overlooking shrunken or flattened rubbers that are no longer making proper contact.
• Scrubbing rubbers with very strong cleaners or solvents, which can dry them out and accelerate cracking and shrinkage.
• Using thick, greasy dressings that look shiny but actually attract dust and grime, making green growth and streaking worse.
• Ignoring obviously green, mouldy rubbers around a soft top, which is a sign the roof, gutters and drains may also be neglected and prone to leaks.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 05/12/2025 14:46