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Seal around the hi top

Posted: 11 Mar 2012, 22:16
by LittleMissSunshine
The seal around my hitop- where it meets the roof of the van is coming away in the back corner. Any advice on how to replace it? Or where to get replacement seal from? It actually looks a little worse today and the gap is getting bigger :-(

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Re: Seal around the hi top

Posted: 12 Mar 2012, 00:03
by Oldiebut goodie
I think that you will find that it is there for aesthetic reasons rather than being a seal. Most roofs are glued and sealed on with a polyurethane sealant/adhesive.
You could test it by blowing up there with a vacuum cleaner (if you have one that will do that) and see if there is a draught inside.

Re: Seal around the hi top

Posted: 12 Mar 2012, 11:44
by 1664
Autohomes didn't 'seal' the front and the back of the hightop, just the sides. I replaced my trim when I refitted my hightop as it was brittle and cracking too.

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with this....

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...although this is not an exact replacement as it's a brighter white and MUCH softer it was the closest I could find. Ok on straight bits or gentle bends but doesn't want to know about tight corners like on the rear of the hightop (wants to return to it's former shape) so I glued the odd section. It didn't occur to me at the time but perhaps a gentle application from a heat gun might persuade it that the new shape is 'home' once it's cooled down.

Anyway, this is where I sourced it but you might find a better solution out there somewhere....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flexible-Edge ... 3a708e08cb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Seal around the hi top

Posted: 12 Mar 2012, 12:39
by Oldiebut goodie
I've found that for trim like that dunking it in a bath of hot water gets it flexible for most bends.

Re: Seal around the hi top

Posted: 12 Mar 2012, 13:12
by 1664
it already is very flexible already - the problem is it's 'memory'. It wants to return to it's original shape; very slowly but very determinedly none the less which is why I reckon a gentle heat gun once it's in place to try and rearrange it's perception of what shape it 'wants' to be once it's cooled down.....

Re: Seal around the hi top

Posted: 12 Mar 2012, 19:40
by LittleMissSunshine
This forum is simply amazing. Thanks so much. I think this could be the next job I tackle all on my own! Was worried it would (1) cost a bomb and (2) leak!