"darden25" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dad" > wrote in message
> news
>>
>> "CardsFan" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> OK, one of my Christmas wishes was granted and I got new weatherstrip
>>> for the hatch. Any suggestions on the install? Seems to be fairly
>>> straightforward from what I've been able to find online, but it never
>>> hurts to hear from someone who's actually done it.
>>>
>>> AJM
>>> '93 40th Anniversary coupe, 6 sp (both tops)
>> I've done many doors and windows but not a C4 rear deck seal but I'm
>> guessing that it is glued in place. The basics with any seal/weather
>> strip is to start with clean surfaces. Mark the deck lid for center both
>> front and rear on masking tape out of the glue area. Do the same with the
>> seal but use chalk to mark the rubber, masking tape will sometimes pull
>> the face of the seal off, not a good thing.
>>
>> Start at the top and glue down the first 1/4 of the length on one side,
>> then do the other side. Check each time you glue it down to see if the
>> centerline marks still line up and you're not developing to much slack or
>> to little. If not correct by slowly pulling the offending part free
>> enough to correct the centerlines by compressing or slightly stretching
>> the seal.
>>
>> The seal can be held in place with masking tape that you have put another
>> piece of tape on it glue to glue so that it has the back of the tape on
>> the seal so it does not stick to the seal. Pressure point can be
>> accomplished by cutting a piece off the old seal and putting it under the
>> masking tape.
>>
>> Use the 3M adhesive in black or yellow for the best results.
>>
>> Good luck
>
> Dad is exactly right. Ensure that the entire lip is clean, dry and free
> of debris. C4's are notorious for collecting dirt and grime especially in
> the corners. If you have any globs of remaining adhesive from previous
> installation carefully remove with a putty knife. For the final prep use a
> clean lint free cloth and some 70% isopropyl alcohol. Don't get ahead of
> yourself or it will come back to haunt you at the end. If you have to
> reposition lift straight up then push straight back down at the new
> position. Do not attempt to pull or slide the seal. The 3M adhesive will
> remain pliable long enough to ensure the correct positioning. It's not
> super glue. Just ensure that the ambient air temperature is around 70F so
> that the adhesive will cure properly. Using painter's tape to hold in
> place works wonders without leaving residue.

Thanks to you and Dad for the good advice. I wasn't sure how sticky that
glue would be, and I can see a lot of the effort might be in getting the old
glue off so the surface is clean. Certainly getting the top and rear
centers marked on both the car and the new w/s will be key. I probably
won't mess with this until a nice weekend next spring. Thanks again.

AJM
'93 40th Anniversary coupe, 6 sp (both tops)