Canopy seal

[Brett Proctor]

I have the oem seal for the canopy but having to drill holes and glue it in place never appealed to me.( especially doing it with the canopy installed) I figured there's got to be a better way.

Found this. Its a real close match to the oem seal and it doesn't need to be screwed or glued in place. It uses adhesive tape.

Flexible Edge Trim | Utility Truck | Steele Rubber Products

Steele Rubber Products offers the best quality seals to effectively fill gaps between body panels. Bonded with an adhesive strip for easy installation. Available by the foot and in 10 and 30 foot lengths.

www.steelerubber.com

This stuff once installed will not come off unless you rip or tear it off. It sticks that good. You can very gently position it in place and check the fit and location, and it can be reluctantly removed but once you press it on, it's not coming off.

I had to trim off some from the front and back. Smaller gaps, but the sides needed no trimming and it sealed the sides with no gaps
Once I cleaned the area and had a general idea of where to install it, it took less than an hour to install it

 

[farfegnubbin]

That looks very clean and nice. if you can remember too, after you drive it next, try to give a follow up on wind noise and how it seals. That seal has been such a problem over the years.

 

[Brett Proctor]

That looks very clean and nice. if you can remember too, after you drive it next, try to give a follow up on wind noise and how it seals. That seal has been such a problem over the years.

 

[Brett Proctor]

That looks very clean and nice. if you can remember too, after you drive it next, try to give a follow up on wind noise and how it seals. That seal has been such a problem over the years.

Pictures of the sealing area. About 0.25" wide

Back section had to be trimmed. Not the cleanest cut. My eyes are getting worst as I get older.

I had to redo the front sealing section. The first spot I put the seal was to tight of a gap and the seal wouldn't allow the canopy to close all the way (was told that's were the seal went). I had to cut the seal off to remove it. as I said earlier once its on its on for good. I did attempt to remove it but it just didn't want to come off.
New location was on that tapered section between that front recessed area and the section that recesses into the dash. That seems to seal the front good.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Couldn't stand it any longer. Had to redo the back seal area.
Haven't tested it yet for a water tight seal but I'll post it when I give it a bath and let you know if it worked or not.
In this configuration canopy closes with no issues
Made a bridge across that gap (oem manual latch area) so the seal would have something to mount to.
I kind of hurried it because of time restrictions, so the touchup paint is sloppy. Didn't want to take the time to clean the paint gun so I used a sponge brush. Bad idea. Will have to go back and fix the damage and then do it the right way.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Quick update

Did an unscientific test to see if it sealed

Took a water squirt bottle and squirted water along the canopy to see if there was any leaks. None were detected.
Water got to the edge of the seal and nothing got passed.