57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

[John N.]

Who are the best current supplier(s)? Do you need to mix or match various suppliers to get best results
Thanks!!!

[Joe R.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

John

Corvette Rubber usually gets the nod from users across the board. You can use your favorite vendor or order from Corvette America at 1 800 458-3475 Ext. 221

JR

[Bruce B.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

John,

Definitely Corvette Rubber, I just finished 2 57 Corvettes and no problems at all with weatherstrip.

Bruce B

[Mike M.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

is anybody reposing the weatherstrips with the logo( S within the diamond)? the S within diamond "patches" just don't get it. mike

[Bruce B.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Mike,
Someone out there is selling kits to install the "Diamond S" on early weatherstrip.
Bruce B

[Bruce B.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

MIKE,
Here is a copy of a recent posting on the Forum:

---

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panama 58 Guys, although I have never divulged my name on this forum, maybe it's time. I am Garry Barnes and for many years I was reproducing the closest thing to the original weatherstrips with diamond S logo's used on '53-'58 Corvettes. I took a few years off to move half way across the country and needless to say, making w/s took a back seat to other things that needed to get done. I continued to receive many phone calls, but was unable to take orders until now. I have finally got things up and going and am happy to take your requests on a limited basis. I only sell in full sets which include the doors, deck lid, trunk lid, hood ledge. These are the seals that judges look for the correct configuration, logos and support cordage. My w/s are on over 155 Top Flight, BG and Triple Crown cars including the VIN #1's you saw being auctioned at BJ. I was a BG judge for 5 years and have made a study of original w/s for these model years. If you would like my contact information for questions or orders please feel free to respond to this posting. Thanks in advance for your interest and business. Panama58 (Garry Barnes)

I have dealt with Gary for a number of years - Great guy and his product is on my 1954 - judges never blinked an eye at it - top notch quality

[Mike M.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

yeah, i bought one of the "kits" but wasn't happy with my results in glueing on the little patches. i'm gonna try garry barnes w/s. Bruce, was it u looking for a wiper cable for a 57? regards,mike

[Bruce B.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Mike,
Yup it was me and I finally found one in my stuff.
Thanks,
Bruce B

[Richard M.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

A few years ago a friend of mine picked up several (56-60?)NOS weatherstrips, along with many C1 NOS parts from a retired restoration shop in Macon GA.

Later, when I saw the boxes of parts he bought and opened the w/strip paper bags, I saw the "S-In-A-Diamond" logos along the entire length of w/strip. If I recall, they were about 12" apart. I actually couldn't believe my eyes as I had knew about those logo spacings being quite close, but never saw them on a real piece. I have a few NOS pieces of my own but they only show up in a couple of areas and hard to see.

I will see if he still has them and try to get some photos. John/Mike, I'll ask him if he wants to part with them. BTW, you know him.

edit....BTW, IMO CRC is the best product as well as the best to work with. Mike at CRC was instrumental in producing a better fitting 56-62 windshield glass rubber seal a few years ago. I also talked to him about the original style "ribs" and he was going to see if he could do it. Not sure if any progress was made though.

Rich

[Garry B.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Rich, I would love to see pictures of that particular w/s. I did a ton of research before beginning to try to duplicate a reasonably acceptable imitation for use in cars to be judged. I too have seem many old sets, have collected several and actually have an NOS set of door mains as reference points. I have taken measurements of spacing of the logo's and have found for the most part the are very random with one exception. I have found most distances between logo's to be one of the following: 35", 17", 29" and 60". I have also seen 27" and 12", but they are seen far less often. The 60" is on an old '58 trunk lid w/s. From the first logo going up the right side to the center logo is 60". The other pretty consistent one is the the distance from the logo that sits at the base of the window post to the center logo (at center bottom of door main). It almost always seems to be 35". The point here is there is a lot of variability from set to set and from model year to model year. To assume that they were all placed at 35" apart is not correct. I haven't judged in quite a while and don't know what the current judging manual states, but if I recall from a few years ago I seem to recall that it stated 35" as though that was true for all.

One last comment, the originals that you speak of are incredibly thick and bulky and most people that try to use them find that they can hardly shut their door, etc. They do compress over time though, but you have to be patient. They also have a silver / white substance on them that people wonder what it is. It is a dust like substance that is actually a mold release applied to help facilitate the removal of the newly poured w/s from their molds. Today's w/s are extruded versus made in a mold and therefore there is no way to make the logo using today's technology. I agree, Corvette Rubber and Mike are great guys and the product I use when I make my sets. I did have Mike investigate with the owners of the business if they would consider making a more authentic windshield seal (with ribs) and the quantity they wanted to do a run was cost prohibitive for me to consider.

[Richard M.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Gary, I may see them tonight as my friend is coming by and I told him I'd like to take pictures, so he's taking one with him.

I may be mistaken about the logo spacing, but I recall there were quite a few. I'll find out later.

Rich

[John N.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Garry Barnes
Call me
John Neas
1-(918)749-7741
M 1(918)231-4454
Thanks!!!

[Garry B.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Hi John. It's been a long time. I hope you are doing well. I will try to get to you tonight, but if I get tied up I will connect with you tomorrow.

[Garry B.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Thanks Rich. Regardless, I would like to add it to my reference file. I look forward to seeing them. Feel free to send to my private email if you should chose to.

[Richard M.]

Re: 57-Best repo weather strip and rubber available

Gary, Starting another thread so as to not cloud John's post and to make the Title appropriate. I just took photos and made measurements. I was clearly mistaken about the spacing.

New Thread Here.

Rich