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Replacing windshield trim & taillight weatherstripping
I recently painted my car and painted all the trim pieces as well, but the rubber weatherstripping underneath the trim is in bad shape. Maybe 25% is completely gone. I'd like to replace it somehow but can't figure out what to use.
Specifically, I want to replace the rubber around the entire taillight assembly in the backend (84 FB so it wraps all around both taillights and the middle black trim) and the thin rubber strips on the edge of the A-pillar and windshield trim.
I know people must have replaced these in the past – what'd you use? Can I find something that'll work at a hardware store?
I found storm door weatherstripping that might just work for the back end. It's the right width and has two flaps that you can sandwich to the back of the trim. It's $9 for a 38" strip at Lowes but hopefully is cheaper online. Thoughts?
I still haven't come up with anything for the A pillar or windshield trim.
The taillight and rear centre garnish weatherstripping is being reproduced by Fibremaz in Australia. He ships internationally. These are 100% accurate reproductions using better quality rubber than Mazda used. He got a die made to the exact profile of the original.
As for the windscreen weatherstrips, they are moulded to the stainless steel trim pieces and would be very difficult to replicate. Fortunately, the trim pieces are still available new and come with the weatherstrips/protectors fitted. I wrote in detail about it here: 1st gen rx7 windscreen trim/moulding weatherstripping - AusRotary
The A-pillar mouldings are no longer available, but the side seal on that appears to be a common profile. I haven't looked closely yet, but should check out some catalogues from local weatherstrip suppliers and match them. The factory item is 5.6mm wide. A photo of the profile of the seal is shown in the AusRotary.com thread above.
The protector on the lower trim piece (only came on 84-85 models, but is missing from most cars) is the same as the cowl grille seal on an FC. That part is NLA from Mazda, but I've found a lot of second hand FC ones are in good condition.
The taillight and rear centre garnish weatherstripping is being reproduced by Fibremaz in Australia. He ships internationally. These are 100% accurate reproductions using better quality rubber than Mazda used. He got a die made to the exact profile of the original.
As for the windscreen weatherstrips, they are moulded to the stainless steel trim pieces and would be very difficult to replicate. Fortunately, the trim pieces are still available new and come with the weatherstrips/protectors fitted. I wrote in detail about it here: 1st gen rx7 windscreen trim/moulding weatherstripping - AusRotary
The A-pillar mouldings are no longer available, but the side seal on that appears to be a common profile. I haven't looked closely yet, but should check out some catalogues from local weatherstrip suppliers and match them. The factory item is 5.6mm wide. A photo of the profile of the seal is shown in the AusRotary.com thread above.
The protector on the lower trim piece (only came on 84-85 models, but is missing from most cars) is the same as the cowl grille seal on an FC. That part is NLA from Mazda, but I've found a lot of second hand FC ones are in good condition.
Wow, this is awesome. Thank you for pointing me to Fibremaz. I ordered the taillight seals immediately.
As for the A-pillar, I think something like this might work:
No problem, glad to help! That seal looks ok but doesn't really match the original. Keep in mind, the seals on the windscreen mouldings are not really weatherstripping as such - Mazda calls them "protectors", as they cushion the mouldings against the painted body and the glass. The main reason for the seals on A pillar mouldings look to be to protect against the sharp edge of the mouldings. The item you listed on Amazon will do that.
Wow. This is the most useful thread I've read this year. And last year too.
Thanks Kypreo for the education.
Lots learned and for $80 Australian, a complete set of new seals is a cheap answer to the eternal search for original seals in good condition.
Anybody know how much $80 Australian is in Trump dollars? Do we have tariffs with the Aussies? If not and we still have parity I'm going to order some of these:
Pretty sure there aren't any tariffs on Aussie stuff and vice versa. For consumer goods from the US, we only have to pay 10% sales tax if the value of the goods is over AUD1,000.
For anyone reading this post in the future, the upper windshield trim with its rubber molding is still available from Mazda, Atkins, etc. for around $150. These are the part numbers:
887150950C, 887150910H, 887150920H
I have not yet found a good substitute as this molding is pretty unique
