Heard cut to shape bike inner tube works great for hard top weather stripping?

[slickrock]

I remember reading, oh about 8 years ago, that you can use old rotted hard top weather stripping as templates to make new and thicker stripping out of bike inner tubes. (Number 6 in the picture). Couldn't find the post, but I seem to recall that it does a great job and it is little thicker than stock and cuts down on rattles. I have too many little things I need to focus on that are nickel and diming me to death, so I thought I would try this for this winter and save a few bucks until next year when I can buy OEM stripping.

I need to drill and tap about half my hard top bolts and I thought I would replace my almost worthless weather stripping at the same time. Anyone have any comments about using my old stripping as a template and use bike inner tubes for the seals? I have a bunch of tubes that are beyond patching and figured I’d give it a try.

 

[Fast Eddy]

IMO, it's going to be a PITA. Bicycle inner tube is not that thick unless you buy new Dh tubes, and then it's a 26" circle, but you need a long straight piece. It would probably work great for just the corner where it's round.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Go to a koi pond shop and buy some of the rubber pond liner. It comes in various wides and is sold by the foot. I had some left over and made a rubber floor mat for the rear of my FJ40 to cover the carpet when we have muddy boots or I'm bringing plants home.

 

[slickrock]

Go to a koi pond shop and buy some of the rubber pond liner. It comes in various wides and is sold by the foot. I had some left over and made a rubber floor mat for the rear of my FJ40 to cover the carpet when we have muddy boots or I'm bringing plants home.

Ha! That's a great idea.

 

[TOBASH]

Go to a koi pond shop and buy some of the rubber pond liner. It comes in various wides and is sold by the foot. I had some left over and made a rubber floor mat for the rear of my FJ40 to cover the carpet when we have muddy boots or I'm bringing plants home.

F'ing brilliant!!!

Great idea and great tip.

 

[FJsnoozer]

IMO, it's going to be a PITA. Bicycle inner tube is not that thick unless you buy new Dh tubes, and then it's a 26" circle, but you need a long straight piece. It would probably work great for just the corner where it's round.

I agree to use the thicker tube.

However, make it a 4 piece gasket.

For straight sections, cut your slit down the center of the inside of the tire. For radius sections cut along side. And match the radius closely. They make thorn resistant tubes in as small as 16.


Good luck.

 

[Shark56]

I would get one from Cruiser Corps. Thats what I did. Get the after market one. I did use inner tube for #8 on the S.O.R. picture. The inner tube works ok but can be a pain to keep on when putting the top on.

On the rear bed liner. I went to a farm supply, (Tractor Supply), and bought the thick rubber that is designed as a floor mat for farm animals to stand on. You get enough to make the bed liner and floor mats for the front. About a third of the price of an O.E.M. mat.

 

[todt]

I used cut inner tube for between front aprons and fenders. Probably did not need it but seemed like a good idea at the time. Going to have to look into the rubber pond liner.

 

[misterpepper]

I picked up a semi tube for free that was being thrown away due to a flat to use as gasket behind all my hinges and such, but I've since changed my mind and picked up a sheet of neoprene rubber on ebay that will be big enough to do anything I want it for. Neoprene is sure to be more weather resistant than inner tube rubber. This is the solid stuff, not the wetsuit foam material. Plus this way I could get it in the thickness I wanted. Koi pond iner sounds like a very weather resistant material. See if you can get a scrap that will do everything you need for cheap.

 

[Roboosfj40s]

I used a bike tube as a gasket for the top of my windshield and it worked great. I just cut it to length and cut it down one side then applied rubber glue and rolled it to make 3 layers then weighted it down to flatten it. Where I live everything is hand done or rednecked haa haa! But as is said; "If a stupid idea works, then it must not be stupid"

 

[bugsnbikes]

i have access to a huge box of downhill tubes that would be great- will sell em for $1ea for anyone interested. Proceeds go to Trips For Kids - Home

lemme grab a few tomorrow and cut em and throw a caliper on them and post up...............

 

[jackbrad]

I purchased a bunch of rubber roofing about 3 years ago and find great uses for it all the time.

It would work for this much like the koi pond liner

 

[slickrock]

What ever I decide to use, I'll post pics of the process. Thanks for the suggestions.