I've heard of this before and was wondering about this. If you keep the seal lifted for a couple days, will it go back down when you remove the string? I picture it with gaps all around that might now want to close.

 

It works good, You can also use rope, plastic tubing, rubber vacume or fuel line, and there's also companies making products especially for this in different shapes for different style mouldings. Sometimes the seal will stay up after the piece is removed but once the car is set in the sun or the seal is heated some it will relax and settle back down.

 

I'm just guessing but this is what I think. The string is about 1/8" or so back from the edge of the seal, and I'm using .095" string, what 3/32" or so, so the seal isn't lifted that much. The edge of the seal is bending back trying to get back to flat. So when you remove the string the edge will seal and after a day in the sun I would think the rubber will go back to it's original shape.

Once I got the string started I was able to put it in all with finger pressure, no tools. If you have to pry the seal up and use tools to insert the string, the seal may be too old to return to it's original shape.

I'm going to find out I guess, it will easily be next weekend before the cap is done and the string comes out....

Lance

 

Yes that's a good tip. On the car I did recently I did something similar around
the wind shield and also around the sun-roof.

3M Makes a product called "Trim Masking Tape" PN 06349 10MM
It looks like regular masking tape except it contains a thin piece of plastic thats intended to be pushed between the seal and the car body. You then peel back the tape and stick it to the windshield and it will lift the seal so paint can flow down under the seal. The tape is all the same size but the hard
thin plastic band comes in various sizes, 5mm 10mm etc. BTW paint will not
stick to the tape so when it gets removed after the paint has dried expect
good results.

Its pretty cool as it both lift's the seal and masks the window seal at the same time. On the sun roof I used this stuff first, I then pushed 22 awg wire under the seal to lift it up.. I must remember the weed-eater string the next time.

><

 

You can use a heat gun to get it to lay back down.Just be sure to wait till the paint is cured good before you try it.Also be sure not hold it one place to long.be sure you remove all tape along the edge as well as it will be very hard to remove after exposed to the heat from the gun.I have used this technique on airplanes when I used to work on aircraft .There are some with seals around the doors that are similar .

 

This was actualy already tip of the day #7,
But it 's a good tip. imp:

 

Ahh, well at least I didn't claim to invent it

Just goes to show that good things get repeated!

Lance