Weatherstrip Before or After Repaint?

[ajminla]

I've got cracked/old window wipes on all my windows.
2 of my 4 door seals are terrible, the other two ripped in minor places.
I no longer have a seal for the tailgate.

I ordered all the replacment stuff for above from Team Wagoneer and BJ's.

Can I put the new rubber on now or do I have to wait til I repaint?
Repainting might not happen for a good while.

[Tigger4X]

Afta AJMINLA-san ... afta afta! ;)


You can actually go either way and would depend on how far you are going to go into detail with your paint job. IMHO "afta" is mo' bettah because you wont get overspray on the wipes/felts just like why you'd remove the door handle hardware, windshield wipers, mirrors, etc. Removing stuff not only means less stuff to tape off but you are going to end up with paint that is better applied with less chance of peeling/chipping and looking like cahcah.

You can always tell when somebody took the effort to make the paint look good or if they had one of those "sheib" type jobbers done. ;)


If you are holding off on the paint and have to install them now pay attention on how to take them off so when it comes time to paint they dont get ripped or torn up when you go to prep it for paint.

[Snowbird_Hunter]

I think masking is a lot easier without the weather striping, especially if you are going to paint the door jams, and can give a cleaner look when finished. But is not a huge problem either way usually, just will take more time and a bit more tape. I would say it comes down to how bad you feel you need the weather striping until you can paint.

Just my .02 worth having worked in a body shop for a short time.

[Asphalt Cowboy]

You can do the window wipe bases the same as you would a windsheild gasket by placing a 1/4" cotton cord onder the edge and then masking.
That's the down and dirty method.
When I finally get around to paint on mine everything is coming off. Doors, tailgate, hood, front fenders, glass, mirrors,,,, I think you get the picture. It's a lot of work and requires great care during reasembly, but is worth it on a quality job.;)

[Austin 4x4]

you can put them on now, and then take them back off when you paint. shure it's more work but then you get the best of bolth worlds.

[bijna]

If it's going to a be a long time before the paint job, as in you don't have any plans in the near future, I'd say put em on. It's nice not to have your truck smelling like a wet dog after every time it rains because waters leaking in through all your windows. Just my 2 cents.

[ajminla]

I think I'm going to replace the driver's side cause I'm sick of ripping my t shirts and scratching my arm, but probably wait to install the rest til repaint.

Thanks.

[SNO*MAN]

I put mine on and will remove to paint when I get that far. What a world a difference on the new door seals. They shut nice and tight now with no wind noise.