Thread: Roadster door weatherstripping?

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My body is steel RodBods. I'm interested on how others w/ repro bodys like mine or Brookville have dealt w/ the door area. My door rubs paint off in jam at top curve of door above latch.
I need something that looks like it's suppose to be there. My doors fit very tight so whatever it is- it will have to be thin.
I'd like to see some pics if possible.

Cool post...I'm in the same boat as you Steve. My 30 Brookville roadster also has a 3/4 - 1 inch gap at the bottom of the front of my doors where you can see the ground...gotta love the Brookville quality control!!!! I'm hoping you get answers which will help you and myself.

I don't really care about the gap- or the wind. It's the metal to metal that I'm worried about. At some shows- I have to show w/ doors open & I'm constantly running around w/ my paint touch up brush hitting the 1" long spot where the door rubs at top when door is closed. It needs to look good when the door is open. Good thing my car is black. I saw a car at recent show that had a strip of felt of some kind that matched his red paint. Curious as to what others are using. I see Bob Drake has a solid & hollow foam core strip that's sticky on one side. I'm not sure I want to run some huge weatherseal all the way around. I tried one of those clear silicone buttons like you used on kitchen cabinet doors but it was too thick.
I need pics.

Left hand side, download the pdf that shows the various profiles available; SoffSeal Weatherstripping & Rubber Details

I got a little think strip of foam rubber and just put in in the doors where the paint contacts... I agree a big ol' seal the whole way around the doors would look stupid, so I just use a little tab where it was rubbing... my car is black too, and you don't even notice it's there. It's late, and its freezing outside, but I'll take a pic to show what i use tomorrow... I can't remember where i got the foam rubber, but I'm pretty sure its something you could find at any hardware store or Home Depot-type joint.

double post, sorry.

Steve, I also have a "RodBod" bodied roadster. Although mine's still not painted, I don't see any place that shows signs that the door is hitting the door jam.

I'd look closely at the door to body fit. Maybe it could use some shiming between the frame and body mount points?

My door fit is perfect all the way around- gap is ideal & door sits perfectly flush w/ ajoining panels. It rubs at top of the door jam at the curve- like a 3/4" spot. I can try & take a pic tonight of the spot. I'm hessitant to adjust the door & throw the fit out of wack though. Are you installing something to your doors? I've seen people treat the gasket 2 ways. Some have applied to door, some to jam & most don't have anything (on roadsters). I'd prefer the door so it's not so obvious when the door is open.

Try the fuzzy half of some velcro. It's available in different colors with the self adhessive backing and it is very thin.

The car most likely need a body bolt shim which will move that area up a wee bit. You can use a front end U-shaped alignment shim - loosen up everything but the first and last body bolt to frame bolt, have someone pull up on the side, slip it in place, then retighten. You might have to make a minor door latch adjustment, but the shim will correct that little bit of sag and your rub should go away. This is a normal adjustment on any car with separate frame and body assembly. The door gaps might move, but only slightly, but that's better then wearing paint off or having sticky doors that rattle.

OK
Here's 3 pics for review. Shot last night in a dark garage so pics on black car are a bit iffy quality but you should be able to see what I'm talking about. This is passenger side. Driver side is 1/2 as bad.

Problem seems to be the seam of door skin at that particular area. If I was painting the car- I would be doing some mods. Car is painted so I will try a gasket of some sort instead. This morning- I touched up the spot, allowed to dry- added a small 1/2" strip of foam to edge of door skin seam & closed the door. No paint removal.


Here's the area I'm talking about.

1st pic is the door jam. Spot is just under 1/2" long- pic looks worse than it is.


2nd pic is back of door edge where skin is folded back. Note the wear area.


3rd pic shows top of door alignment which is dead on. Also notice pin stripe running down body- an off white & a red. They line up perfect.
Gap around door is consistant. Panel surface is flat on door & all ajoining panels.


I'll take a look at a slight latch adjustment- or make do with a gasket for now.