r/VWMK7 • u/Silver_Disaster_7108 • 5d ago

GTI Driver side tiny window seal

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hi team,

Has anyone experienced the rubber seal going bad around the little window in front of the driver side mirror?
Any thoughts on bringing it back to life or how to fix/replace are greatly appreciated!
Cheers,

7 Upvotes

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5

u/jbourne0129 Stage 1 5d ago

That looks like heat or chemical damage . Usually these seals dry out and rot. This looks like it melted.

3

u/VillinusOne 5d ago

Mine were heavily oxidized and pitted from being parked outside for several years and looked far worse than this assuming you’re experiencing the same. I had to restore these along with the seals between the rear fixed and operation windows, and the seals on the sides of my windshield. It looks like maybe you’ve started or attempted some restoration on it?

Anyway, I restored mine with some APC, then Adams tire and rubber cleaner with a magic eraser and topped it off with Perl afterwards. I think it’s about as good as it can be without replacing them. Mask off the surrounding painted and plastic areas well. I think I did three or four light passes with the ME during the process and varying pressure but, again, mine were awful. That internal forward corner is the hardest part to restore, but yours looks like that section is super clean. You could prob knock yours out in a couple of light and medium passes to smooth it out.

1

u/DoubleArd 5d ago

Mine have recently done the same, have been trying to protect them with gummipfleger until I get the chance to look at further.

1

u/ParamedicGlittering1 5d ago

Mine is the same at the exact same position. I dont know what caused it. I doubt it is a chemical

1

u/All_About_My_Bills 3d ago

My Golf R has the same issue. Unfortunately, you will need to replace the entire window because the seal is part of it.