How can I prevent leaking door seals?
When your car's door seals leak, it's more than just a passing nuisance. Water can wreak havoc on your interior, requiring upholstery or other components to be replaced. In almost every case of leaking car door seals, which you may notice as rain seeping in or annoying whistling air through a leaky car door, a worn seal around the door is the culprit. While this is a relatively simple solution, it is better to prevent door seal leaks in the first place than to incur the cost of replacing the seal in the future. Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent leaky door seals in your car or truck:
The most effective thing you can do to prevent leaking door seals is to make washing your car's seals a part of your regular car care routine. Here's the best way to clean the seal strip without accidentally damaging it:
Prepare a bucket of warm water and add XNUMX/XNUMX teaspoon of mild detergent, such as dish soap.
Using a soft sponge or cloth, gently wipe the seals with soapy water to remove all dirt and grime.
Rinse the protective film thoroughly with water and a non-soapy cloth or sponge.
Then allow the seals to air dry completely with the doors open.
Once they are dry to the touch, you can close the doors and go about your normal activities.
Just like you can prep your hair to keep moisture out, you can prep it for weathering to help it better resist wear and tear from the elements. Even conditioning door seals once or twice a year can greatly extend their life, although doing this more frequently (as often as every wash) is more effective:
Use a silicone based spray designed to condition the sealing tape. These products are available at most auto parts stores, and avoid any petroleum-based cleaners because the oil can degrade the soft rubber seal.
After you wash and allow the seals to air dry, apply a generous amount of conditioner to a clean, dry cloth.
Then, gently wipe the entire surface of the seal on each car or truck door with air conditioner.
With proper care of the sealant on your car doors, you can prevent your door seals from leaking for a while, potentially extending the life of your seals by years. Eventually, however, all seal strips will need to be replaced, although it can take up to decades before the original seals fail. If this happens, know that it's not your fault, but just part of the natural order of things when it comes to cars. When you notice any leaks, whether in the form of moisture or air, act quickly to keep repair costs to a minimum.
