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Weather Striping

Weather Striping shrinkage
Weather striping such as this door rubber often has channels built in to help drain water away.

Weather stripping, also known as weather seals or weatherstrips, or simply as 'the rubbers', are a crucial component in automotive design that serves to seal the gaps between various parts of a vehicle to prevent the intrusion of air, water, dust, and noise. It plays a significant role in enhancing the comfort, safety, and functionality of the vehicle's interior by providing a barrier between the interior and the external environment.

We tend to call these 'the rubbers' collectively, along with the many gaskets, bungs and grommets found on the car, although 'weather striping' usually refers to seals on moving parts as listed below, although not always. Sometimes, visible gaskets around lights are referred to as weather striping.

Weather stripping can be found in various areas of a car, including:

  1. Doors: Weather stripping is commonly installed around the door frames to create a tight seal when the doors are closed. This helps keep rainwater, wind, and external noise from entering the cabin.
  2. Windows: Some vehicles have weather stripping around the windows to prevent water and wind from entering when the windows are rolled up. It also provides a degree of sound insulation.
  3. Boot and Tailgate: Weather stripping is present around the boot or tailgate openings to prevent water from seeping into the cargo area.
  4. Sunroof: Vehicles equipped with sunroofs have weather stripping around the sunroof panel to prevent debris and dirt entering when it's closed. The weather striping around the sunroof is rarely waterproof, as there is a drain underneath called a cassette which collects water and drains it away.
  5. Windscreen: The windscreen on older cars also has weather stripping around its edges to prevent water and air from entering the cabin. On newer cars, the windscreen is bonded to the bodywork, but there may well be weather striping to help channel water away from panel seams or prevent water pooing on top of the screen.
  6. Boot Lids: Some vehicles have weather stripping around the edges of the boot lids to create a seal when they're closed.
  7. Convertible roofs: Cabriolet cars often lack the door frames found on standard models and rely on weather striping far more. Additionally, these rubbers will usually include channels and drainage systems which need to be kept clear of debris. 

Weather stripping is typically made from materials like synthetic rubber, silicone, foam, or other flexible materials. Over time, it can wear out, crack, or become less effective, leading to leaks and increased noise. Regular maintenance and/or replacement of weather stripping is important to keep your vehicle's interior protected from the elements.

Rubber sets can be relatively expensive as a replacement part, especially on prestige cars, however, rubbers can often be revived using a rubber reviver, which makes them plump and soft and helps them regain their original shape.

Written by . Last updated 27/10/2023 14:16