Door Seal Help

[R.I.P.B.M.W.]

   For adhesive spray cans and over spray, I've used a throwaway plastic cap, empty yogurt tub, etc. to spray the glue into then a small brush/Q-tip to apply it to the surfaces. Gotta work fast though, as exposed glue gets tacky fast.  

[The Kangaroo Man]

I hate to admit it, but about a week later, with very light use (the car has been sitting in the garage awaiting parts for other projects in the restoration, so the door was only opened and closed a couple of times), the door seal has started peeling up in the same spot. 

 

Any other suggestions? @URO Parts Support Do you have any suggestions?

[duckdudess]

This may have been where AceAndrew was going with his question, but 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive colors are not for cosmetic purposes. They (black and yellow) bond different types of rubber.  I had the same problem with URO door seals (old ones) and this response from the 3M Tech Team solved the problem:

 

The 08001 yellow weather strip adhesive bonds neoprene, SBR, butyl and other types of rubber.  With other synthetic rubbers such EPDM can be more difficult to bond to which we have designed 08011 for. 

 

So, ask URO what type of rubber the new seals are made from.

[The Kangaroo Man]

Ahh, that's something I didn't know. Definitely noted there.

[esty]

what i would try next, if i had your problem would be to sand the glue side of the seal with, maybe 400-600 grit sand paper then sand the metal the seal mates to...my guess is that they are using something with silicone or some other unknown material in the rubber that is not allowing any type adhesive to bond like it is suppose to

 

sorry my original suggestion didn't last more than a couple of days

[URO Parts Support]

3M Auto Black Weatherstrip Adhesive

On 5/9/2021 at 4:51 PM, duckdudess said:

The 08001 yellow weather strip adhesive bonds neoprene, SBR, butyl and other types of rubber.  With other synthetic rubbers such EPDM can be more difficult to bond to which we have designed 08011 for. 

 

So, ask URO what type of rubber the new seals are made from.

 

Hi guys, URO Parts Door Seals 51 71 1 808 685 and 51 71 1 808 686 are made of EPDM sponge rubber, so according to the 3M rep, 3M Auto Black Weatherstrip Adhesive 08011 is probably best.

 

Edited July 14, 2021 by URO Parts Support

[beammmer]

This topic has been discussed many times on the FAQ.  EPDM rubber is very difficult to bond.  It does not have one recipe for manufacture the manufacturers use what they can get to make it, within the parameters of their recipe, thus making it very difficult to bond. 

 

Attached is a technical data page from 3M referencing the product 08011.  Use as a contact as Esty wants.  Let both suffices dry to the touch then make the bond. 

 

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005005008/

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPDM_rubber

 

Other products will work, I'm most familiar with 3M.

 

 @URO Parts Support  Would flame treating or a corona coat help with the bonding?

 

Don (almost 40 years with 3M adhesives)

[URO Parts Support]

Thanks for the info Don!  Normally we recommend cleaning new seals with alcohol that’s been denatured (with methanol), as that's what's recommended by many auto restoration pros. 

 

You have much more experience with adhesives than we do however, and will defer to your expertise when it comes to seal surface preparation.  Our engineers do their best to replicate seal dimensions and materials, but we don't have vehicle production line procedures and have no idea what kind of adhesive was used when the cars were originally assembled, or if there's something better available today.   Trying to recreate what was done thirty to fifty years ago is always a challenge.

[BarneyT]

We use a Dremel tool with a sanding drum to remove the shiny finish on the glue side of the rubber, and then I clean that with Lacquer thinner and use 3m contact cement with good results…

[URO Parts Support]

Hi everyone, a gentleman emailed us asking how to best install Door Seals for this model, so we've directed him to this thread.  Looks like 3M contact cement is the best solution for EPDM rubber (both OEM and URO seals are EPDM), perhaps he didn't let the mating surfaces dry fully first?

 

"Hi, I have used your classic door seals product. Try to adhere the door seal for a 1973 BMW 2002 to the body. I have tried many different adhesives, but I have no luck to bond the seal to the body permanently. I tried 3M products from #08008, #08011, # 1357 and also Weldwood spray adhesive for trim. prepared the seal by cleaning with different solutions, wax and grease remover, including soap and water. Also tried to roughen up the seal surfaces and use adhesion promoter. Do you have any other suggestions on what other methods or products that I can use/ apply. Thank you so much for your guidance and looking forward to hear back from you.  Best, Hami"

Edited May 19, 2023 by URO Parts Support