Windlace / Door Seal DIY?

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OakTownFunky

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Hey!

I'm looking to replace this fabric windlace on my 63 Valiant and wanted to see if I could possibly save a few bucks by buying some plain rubber door seals then contact cement the fabric of my choice onto them similar to what they're selling here. I have a sedan so it looks like it would be over $600 to replace if I buy off the shelf.

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/all-years/dodge/330/parts/md2065406.html

1962-1966 Door Seal/Windlace ORGINAL STYLE- Aqua. SOLD BY THE FOOT - Classic MOPAR Parts - Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts

Am I better off just spending the extra or is this something that can be reasonably done DIY style? Any plain seal recommendations are appreciated.

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Damn. And I LOOKED HARD to find the best deal on that stuff six months ago and ended up paying almost twice as much as that.

But checking now, it looks like it's gone up to FOUR TIMES as much ($450 for each pair of doors) !!

Now where are the keys to my time machine??

– Eric

edit: Note that the factory used short lengths of round-section foam in the corners to keep the hollow weatherstrip from kinking. This is not included with your roll of weatherstrip.
You can fillet the factory foam out of the old weatherstrip, but it will be somewhat crushed, and will be a bear to push back through your new weatherstrip.
I found that the right size of Frost King round-section foam rope, available in the home weatherstripping section of the local Despot is just the right consistency, and about 1/16" smaller than the ideal size (forget trying to get the one that's 1/16" larger in there).
I used a length of 10ga house wire to push them into place.
 
Last edited:
MDchanic said:
Damn. And I LOOKED HARD to find the best deal on that stuff six months ago and ended up paying almost twice as much as that.

But checking now, it looks like it's gone up to FOUR TIMES as much ($450 for each pair of doors) !!

Now where are the keys to my time machine??

– Eric

edit: Note that the factory used short lengths of round-section foam in the corners to keep the hollow weatherstrip from kinking. This is not included with your roll of weatherstrip.
You can fillet the factory foam out of the old weatherstrip, but it will be somewhat crushed, and will be a bear to push back through your new weatherstrip.
I found that the right size of Frost King round-section foam rope, available in the home weatherstripping section of the local Despot is just the right consistency, and about 1/16" smaller than the ideal size (forget trying to get the one that's 1/16" larger in there).
I used a length of 10ga house wire to push them into place.
Click to expand...
I looked at that metro stuff for 6 months but couldn't pull the trigger on the price.
The metro was about the same price no matter the vendor, the only thing that changed was a price increase.
Thanks for the foam rope info, I'll check it out when I install mine.
 
Restoration Specialties and Supply is the supplier of the windlace to all of the different vendors, so just search out your preferred vendor carrying the product. There has been at least three revisions of this product due to the bulb size. The current offering is smaller and makes closing the doors easier. The earlier profiles were too large. So make sure and purchase from a vendor who moves a good bit of inventory to avoid getting some of the older and larger pieces which do not fit as well.
 
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