Metro Moulded Parts
The next seal is the Metro seal. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this seal hands down was the best packaged and presented product out of all of them. Unfortunately, I had problems with this seal. I installed it and got to the rear 90 degree bend. This is the money bend if you ask me because it's got to be good here or you will get leaks and wind noise. Look at the pics. I could not get this one to make the curve without a crease or two. It was installed once and tested. It failed the door close test. So I did the wind noise and water test. The seal just wouldn't work in the corner and I got both wind and water in the car. I decided to do something I hadn't done with any of the other seals. I removed the whole thing and reinstalled it rotated around a bit so I could have a fresh section in the corner. It made no difference. See the second try pic. It's a completely different section with the exact same result. One other thing that I could not get pictures of is the corner while sitting in the car. You can put your finger on the seal and move your finger all the way around that corner with the door completely closed. You could actually feel the crease in the seal that way so there's no way that piece was going to be air or watertight. I didn't like the fact that the door didn't close correctly. When I got out of the car I'd have to leg or hip close the door the rest of the way or just open it and close it again. I don't want to do that. At this point, that's as far as I can go on this one.
First install try. See corner creases.
Second try was no better.
SoffSeal
Now we have the product from SoffSeal. This seal is marked as a GM certified restoration part. I did not get a clarification on this because I didn't ask but I would think it's along the lines of a DC product that is Ford approved. After the complete review, this seal is the only seal that feels different from the others. It has more of a rubber feel as opposed to foam. It's also the only seal with three molded in lines the full length of the bulb. The only reason I point this out is to say that it is for sure not a repackage of some other seal because none look like it. One other thing that looked promising to me is the fact that this seal is the only one that has the bulb molded directly to the mounting channel. There is no so-called “rib” in between. This may or may not make a difference. It didn't for me and you'll see why later. So I installed this seal and it went in good. No creases in the corners and no issues. The first thing up was the door close test. It passed. After a few days though I still had occasions when I closed the door of it not closing all the way. Like I mentioned above, I do not like this. The difference in this one is that if you close it just a very small amount harder it seems to close most of the time. This by no means is anything like the in house LMR seal that required two-handed slamming. Still, though, there has to be accurate evaluation made. Next up were the wind and water test. This seal passed both. It was also perfectly smooth to the touch in the corner when checked from inside the car with the door closed. Bottom line, this one works. This seal passed the test in all categories. I don't think you'd go wrong running them. It would be nice if they didn't have the GM text on the package....lol.
Left to right SoffSeal, Daniel Carpenter, Fairchild Industries, Metro Moulded Parts
Here is a picture of all the seals together with the exception of the LMR seal. They are from left to right SoffSeal, Daniel Carpenter, Fairchild Industries, Metro Moulded Parts. You can see the three little lines on the left side of the first seal's bulb (SoffSeal). You can also see on this seal there is no “rib” connecting the bulb to the mounting channel. Another thing you notice in the pic is the variation in height. Now this wasn't the point of the pic and they aren't pressed to the surface and exact, but you can tell a difference. The DC seal is the most compact. The Fairchild piece does have the longest rib. You can also get a good look at the mounting channel and all the various parts of it. All mounting channels have metal on the inside with a rubber coating. They all cut about the same. I used the large metal shears in the pic above and did it with a single cut all at once. The rubber mallet wasn't used to hammer them in but more of a push tool for the corners. You can tap on the mounting channel lightly just to make sure they are seated if you want. I just mainly pushed with the rubber head because it didn't mess up the finish. Lot's to look at and at some point, I have to stop talking. So let's finish this.
And the best seal is? Daniel Carpenter. I can't overlook the fact that you can put these in the car and forget about them. They are also very little more than the lowest priced ones. And I hate to beat a dead horse but dangit, they went in easier than any other one. The icing on the cake was when I, unfortunately, had to remove the seal and saw all the stringy adhesive hanging on. With that said, the SoffSeal weatherstripping is currently in my car. Why you ask? I'm tired of changing them. If I had a pair of DC seals sitting here to go in with all the glue still in them I'd surely install those. That should tell you something right there. But then again, these SoffSeal pieces are doing fine.
So like I said above, the results aren't a first second third deal. I can recommend the DC, SoffSeal, and Fairchild seals. All three worked for me. I would never take someone's word as to which manufacturer's product they are selling. If they don't have the decency to put that visibly on their ad then find someone that does. It's kinda like price matching. I'd rather buy from the first person that gave me that honest price to start with, not the one that had to lower their price to match. I have a problem with some of the things LMR does sometimes. And sometimes I've publicly said it on here. I do like them though and I like ordering from them. They have a lot of excellent qualities. And I appreciate them supporting this hobby we have. So if they have the seals you want, get them. I've never ordered from Blue Oval Industries but they have a whole page of nothing but DC weatherstripping. I don't like the fact that they have zero option for calling them on the phone. But you could buy from them and know exactly what you are getting. Don't discount Rockauto either. I've never had a problem ordering from them. Same with Summit Racing. They have most of these seals all at one place. Keep in mind that things change in this business. If a company sells one manufacturer's product this week it may not be there next week. Prices change, etc. None of these seals are overly expensive. Make a wise informed purchase.
I am very relieved that this is over. It wasn't supposed to take nearly this long as it did but some things were out of my control. Thanks again for everyone's interest and comments. I hope this helps someone out and more importantly, our hobby in general. Spend the money and put quality seals in to protect your car from water and future rust.
On to my next project......hmmm