Fabricating rubber seals for various uses

[CandyPants]

So as I get ready to put Miss Piggy back together again when she comes home from the spa...I have been evaluating some options for fabricating stuff that I 1) can't get or 2) is freaking expensive.

For example...the gaskets under the door handles and around the lights and what not. Also the rubber that goes along the top of the inner fender where the outer fender sits and bolts on to.

I was thinking that I could get some sheet rubber gasket material and make a lot of that stuff pretty easily. Has anyone done this and if so what did you use to make the parts. I found an online supplier of sheet gasket material (everything from neoprene to cork to close cell foam) and thought I'd give it a whirl for between $5 and $20 a linear foot (48-60 inches wide).

What kind of rubber do you think would work best for most applications mentioned here.

Your help is very much appreciated.

 

[usmcruiser]

Has anyone done this and if so what did you use to make the parts. I found an online supplier of sheet gasket material (everything from neoprene to cork to close cell foam) and thought I'd give it a whirl for between $5 and $20 a linear foot (48-60 inches wide).

What kind of rubber do you think would work best for most applications mentioned here.

buckroseau uses some 12" x 36" x 1/16" Burm-nitrate rubber in 50A durometer to create the gaskets for his FJ45lv build up.

Post where it is mentioned
Picture
Post where Matt makes the gaskets.

 

[nat]

The fender packing, I used some stuff I bought from McMaster-Carr. Seemed to work pretty good and it had a sticky back to help place it. It matched the dimensions of the stuff we took out.

The seals under the handles and such, I am going to buy some sheet stock and cut them out.

I did a fix for the fixed windows in the rear doors. It worked good, but needs some tweaking to get it right.

Wing vents, I have some rubber I bought, but I have not implemented my plan yet.

The tailgate lock, I made a rubber seal out of vacuum hose and assembled it using some soap, it seals pretty tight.

 

[jm599]

heather, I've used all sorts of homemade rubber for all sorts of projects. unfortunately don't know the science of whats going on.
maybe someone with knowledge will chime in.

it seems that if the sun isn't going to be beating on the rubber, intertube works fine and is easily cut with scissors or exacto knife.

neoprene I think is man made and more ozone resistant and comes in lots of shape with and without peel off adhesive, this can be open or closed cell which I think is best.

sometimes the wedge shape works best and there is some nice stuff made for under garage doors that I use a lot of.

some stuff is labeled EDSM, I think.

I bought some sheets of 1/16 neoprene and used it all over a 45 project, like under the hinges.

glass shops have lots of generic types as does JCwhitney
good luck

 

[jm599]

oh, and the place to start looking is like the ACE hardware. lots of different sizes made for sealing up windows and doors

 

[CandyPants]

I think I am going to order some sheet rubber, but I don't know what kind yet. I have a call into a gasket/rubber supplier about what kind of rubber would work the best. I'll let y'all know what they say.

As far as the fixed window...I am just going to wait and hope that someone comes out with the retro rubber.

The vent windows rubber should be at slocruisers within a few weeks and I have a standing request to save a set for me and to ship ASAP.

My Dad runs an ACE hardware, so I'll head over there and see what they have too.

 

[cruiser_guy]

As far as the fixed window...I am just going to wait and hope that someone comes out with the retro rubber.

The vent windows rubber should be at slocruisers within a few weeks and I have a standing request to save a set for me and to ship ASAP.

Get on John's case when you get your vent rubber. When he and I were talking in the spring he was looking at the fixed window rubber. I told him I was in for a set if they come out.

 

[n2666s]

I am in for a set also for the fixed window rubber, heck, might even take a cpl. of sets if the price is decent....hate to look at my crapped out cracked rubber on the fixed windows

Lou

 

[Trollhole]

I'll donate my set to him if he will give me a deal on them. They are not perfect but should be good enough to make a template out of.

 

[cruiser_guy]

This is the last I heard from John regarding the fixed window rubber:

"I have a good donor piece for the left door. I am still looking for a good piece for the right rear door. Any donors out there on birfield land?"

He has a '55 himself so unless your right door rubber is pretty pristine you may want to talk to him before offering it up. An average peice is something he likely already has.