Mounting new hood seals into their rails

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Mounting new hood seals into their rails

Postby tkatv4 » Wed 02.09.2026, 18:27

Hi,

I had to buy new (expensive :? ) hood seals because the originals were simply to degenerated.

Wonder though if there is a known trick to squeeze the seals into their respective rails. They manage to pop out every time I try, and long before I'm even nearly finished :cry:

Br /tka, DK
tkatv4
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Re: Mounting new hood seals into their rails

Postby TorqueHorse » Thu 03.09.2026, 01:58

tkatv4 wrote:Hi,

I had to buy new (expensive :? ) hood seals because the originals were simply to degenerated.

Wonder though if there is a known trick to squeeze the seals into their respective rails. They manage to pop out every time I try, and long before I'm even nearly finished :cry:

Br /tka, DK


I just installed some today, and it is an acquired skill. Get yourself some Sil-glide https://www.agscompany.com/products/sil ... -lubricant, and some interior trim plastic tools https://www.harborfreight.com/trim-and- ... 64126.html
I found it easier if the aluminum channel is already mounted to the car (so you have something to push against). Sil-glide the channel.edges to prep. Then start with wedging one whole long side into the channel. Usually the deeper one which is probably the bottom one. Then, without letting the sponge loose, start wedging the top part in at one of the ends. Use all your fingers from one hand to flatten a section, while you are shoving one bit in at a time with your index finger. Proceed down the length of the seal, without letting up on the seal by kind of rocking your hand/fingers down the line. Mash down and shove in. For parts that don't cooperate -after you've gone down the whole length, you can use one of the flat plastic trim "spatula" pieces to mash that little bit in the channel. And, for falling b pillar seals I found it easier to start at the bottom doing the straight bits first and finish in the curve.
-Matt N
'91 FED M100 -rolling resto

...and come to Salt Lake City, for the very first truly national Lotus Car Club event for the USA: LUG September 24-28, 2026
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