Car door seals, often referred to as edge trims with side seals, are important sealing components on most vehicles to prevent water ingress. Manufactured with a sponge sealing bulb on the side of the section, these seals can be used where the door closes against the side of a protruding panel edge. This sponge sealing bulb compresses when the door or lid is closed, forming a reliable watertight seal.
These products are also manufactured with a metal-reinforced spine that allows the section to securely grip onto the edge without the need for adhesives or mechanical fasteners.
Door seals are available in various sizes to suit different edge thicknesses and gaps. For optimal long-term performance, we recommend choosing a product that compresses the sponge sealing bulb by approximately 30%. This reduces the risk of compression set, which can occur with excessive and prolonged pressure, ensuring a durable and effective sealing solution.
The majority of these sections are sold by the linear metre and consist of the same profile along the entire length of the section. This universal style is found on some cars, but may not be suitable for newer vehicles which have moulded corners or where the sealing profile changes along its length.
This door seal has the same profile along its entire length. Our universal door seals should work as a suitable replacement.
This door seal has moulded corners and cannot be replaced with a universal section. You will need to contact the original manufacturer.
This door seal changes profile part way along its length. You will need to contact the original manufacturer for a replacement.
This guide from Seals Direct looks at the different types of edge trim and provides an explanation of what measurements you need to take before purchasing a suitable replacement.
Step 1: Identify the Type of Edge Trim
There are three types of self-gripping clip on edge trims;
1 – Edge Trims
2 – Edge Trims with Top Seal
3 – Edge Trims with Side Seal
Most car doors are fitted with an edge trim with side seal. This type of product pushes over a protruding edge where the door closes down onto the side of this edge. This allows the sponge sealing bulb to compress and create a watertight seal when the door is closed.
The following steps within this guide discuss how to identify and replace this type of product. If your current sealing profile resembles an edge trim or edge trim with top seal, please take a look at our How to Identify and Replace and Edge Trim technical help guide.
Step 2: Measure the Panel Thickness
The first step in identifying a replacement car door seal is to measure the panel thickness. This is the thickness of the edge that the new section will clip over. On automotive vehicles, the thickness of this edge is normally between 1.5mm and 5mm thick. However, there is no fixed fill and the thickness of the edge on your vehicle may differ depending on the composition of your vehicle.
We suggest that you use a digital caliper or Vernier caliper to accurately measure the thickness of the panel. This ensures that you purchase a replacement product that fits securely over the panel edge without being too loose, which could cause it to detach. We recommend taking this measurement in millimetres.
Step 3: Measure the Gap Between the Edge and Car Door
Your current door seal will have a compressible sponge rubber bulb located on the side of the edge trim. This is the part that creates a seal when the car door is closed. You will need to measure the diameter of this sealing bulb on your current section to identify a replacement product. If the sealing bulb on your current seal has distorted, give it a gentle squeeze until it roughly resembles a circular shape. You can then measure the bulb in what was roughly its original shape.
If you no longer have the original door seal, you will need to measure the gap between the panel edge and door. In most cases, you won’t have access to this area as the gap you need to measure will be obstructed when the door is closed. In this scenario, place a piece of blutac on one edge and then close the door. This will compress the blutac to the thickness of the gap that you are trying to seal. Once you have opened the door, remove the blutac and measure its thickness.
We recommend compressing the sponge sealing bulb by approximately 30%. This will create a good watertight seal and reduce the chance of compression set. For example, if the gap you need to seal measures 10mm, you should by a replacement product that has a sponge sealing bulb around 14mm to 15mm diameter. When you close the door, this will compress the bulb by around a third and fill the 10mm gap.
Step 4: Order a Replacement Car Door Seal
Once you know the diameter of the sealing bulb or gap you need to seal, you can use this measurement along with the thickness of the panel edge to purchase a replacement section.
If you’re looking for car door seals, edge trims, side seals or top seals the team at Seals Direct can help you find the correct product for your requirements. We are a leading supplier of rubber seals and trims, with an inventory of over 760 stocked products.
Contact our technical team by email at sales@sealsplusdirect.co.uk or via phone on 01425 617722 for help and advice with selecting the best product for your application.