Cal Look Rubber Quiz

[deano]

I would like to hear from you guys about your experiences with various brands of Cal Look Rubber for the sedan. I am interested in hearing about how well they fit, how good are the "seams" and generally, how the finished installation came out. I would also like to hear of who all makes sedan window rubber w/o trim. Thanks for any feedback.

[.]

Although difficult to find, I suggest genuine VW "standard" model window rubber.

[deano]

Although difficult to find, I suggest genuine VW "standard" model window rubber.

Interesting, so where would one find such an animal?

[edcraig]

Dean,

The old Auto Haus window rubber was very good in fit and quality .  From memory it was produced by Kirkhill Rubber in Brea.  I'm not sure if they still produce this product under any current brand name.  You might check with them.

Ed

[deano]

I am familiar with Kirkhill, as they did, or do supply to WCM. They are only a rubber supplier, using your tooling. Hard to say where the old Auto Haus tooling is, but it may have cloned into the current Empi product at one time, but I would imagine it is now gone overseas.

[70slooker]

my friend got a set of "standard" rubber for his OVAL from wolfsburg west now that being said his car is a canadian standard with a very old respray when we pulled out the old standard/trimless factory rubber to install his new ones he is into the patina thing so we just reinstalled using the new rubber i am a trained glass tech and they were installed correctly but they did not fit the exact way that the original standard did, the corners were nice the seam was very well done but the lip just does not fill the hole (we can see 1/4' of polar silver then the old black starts) now from what ive heard or read WW rubber was designed around a split window car so perhaps splits used a thinner rubber im not sure, and i dont know if they have a "big window" kit as well i know they sell a split and oval set...

[Dan Mazur]

West Coast Metric is the company I used 30 years ago.  They still offer stock and Cal Look window rubber.

They guarantee their product and I am using it on my current car.

[TexasTom]

Deano,
We've used many different ones over the years, and although I admit I haven't tried 'em all, WCM is the brand we always go back to.
I would like to try some of the Wolfsburg West, think I have a set right now ... hmmm.
Decisions, decisions ... good luck, I know it will be right.
TxT

[Zach Gomulka]

All the ones I've tried are too wide. To prevent the rubber from sucking in on the corners, when putting the rubber on the glass I try to stretch the rubber on the top and bottom towards the corners/sides.

[Dan Mazur]

Deano,
We've used many different ones over the years, and although I admit I haven't tried 'em all, WCM is the brand we always go back to.
I would like to try some of the Wolfsburg West, think I have a set right now ... hmmm.
Decisions, decisions ... good luck, I know it will be right.
TxT

Some of the parts ordered from Wolfsburg West arrived in WCM boxes!!

Go figure!

[deano]

Wolfsburg West does not make a Cal Look style rubber... as far as I know.

[TexasTom]

You're right, the set I have has trim ...

[deano]

Although difficult to find, I suggest genuine VW "standard" model window rubber.

I just checked and BBT in Belgium makes a "standard" style of window rubber with no trim. It is different from their "Cal Look" style which has a more rounded shape.

[IP359]

I have an additionnal question.
Which company sell the best quality rubber (with trim or wo for cal look style) : WCM or WW ?
Thanks for your help,
IP

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

This will age me but the best cal-look rubber I bought to date was back in the '80s from Old Volks Home. It fit perfect! I wish it was still available. The owners name was Robert Raucher. I'm interested in hearing opinions on the cal-look rubber from Germany?? Someone did an article on this and I cant find the mag???

[Jason Foster]

I have WCM on my car I'm very happy with it.

[Rennsurfer]

Dean,

The old Auto Haus window rubber was very good in fit and quality .  From memory it was produced by Kirkhill Rubber in Brea.  I'm not sure if they still produce this product under any current brand name.  You might check with them.

Ed

Kirkhill is one of my clients and I'm in their factory once a month, working. I'll try to get some information regarding this, next time I'm there. When I managed the Long Beach Auto Haus, many of my customers paid me $20 (big money in the early eighties) to install the Cal Look rubber that we sold, after I'd close the shop... right there in the parking lot. The Auto Haus stuff worked good. Which is what I ran in my car, but I installed many of the W.C.M. ones; equally as good.

[deano]

My issuse with this type of rubber are, one, how well does it fit around the corners, and does it suck in. Two, how well did the factory glue the ends together and can you notice the seam easily. And three, how nice is the finish surface of the rubber. Is it smooth and shiney, or rough?

When I built my original VW Blue '67 back in '72ish, I removed the chrome trim from the OEM rubber to get that dechromed look, open groove and all. I am almost tempted to go back to that combination.

On the subject of Kirkhill, I have window rubber made for the early Ford Anglia, so I am involved with this subject a bit more. I own my own tooling and have a half dozen different dies at another (smaller) rubber supplier in southern California. I only order rubber by the 500-ft rolls, while the VW industry buy thousands of feet!

[speedwell]

Although difficult to find, I suggest genuine VW "standard" model window rubber.

let me know if you found a set for 61  richard   

[.]

I recently completed a set for my 1962 Standard.
 

[Bruce]

For late cars, the VW dealer in Mexico will sell you Cal-Look rubber.  You can get 65 and later front and ¼ windows, and 72 and later rear only.  Buy each piece at a time.

[Jon]

Here are some german options:
http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,1210.0.html

[Jason Foster]

In regards to some of your concerns Dean,  The WCM rubber fits glass great, does not tuck, corners are nice but the seams are large and noticible nicely glued and strong though.  Surface is not too shiney but smooth.   I saw shots today of your car and windows are in what did you go with?

  For the sake of saying as well I use Bugpack one piece window scrapers.

[Lids]

Status VW in the UK are meant to ahve a good reputation for their rubber seals.  I have no idea where they get them from but here is a link http://www.status-vw.co.uk/shop/contents/en-uk/d116.html

[Rennsurfer]

When I built my original VW Blue '67 back in '72ish, I removed the chrome trim from the OEM rubber to get that dechromed look, open groove and all. I am almost tempted to go back to that combination.

If you have access to new o.e.m. stuff, go with that. Nothing beats that great fit and look, in my opinion.

[Zach Gomulka]

When I built my original VW Blue '67 back in '72ish, I removed the chrome trim from the OEM rubber to get that dechromed look, open groove and all. I am almost tempted to go back to that combination.

That's what I did when I built AssHull's 67. Unfortunately, it was just as wide and "bulbous" as the cal look rubber.

Original rubber had shaped corners, correct? That's probably how they got away with the rubber being narrower that the crap we get today.

[Jon]

[Russell]

Deano

No offence to any supplier or manufacture, but VW Gasser Garage use rubbers as supplied from Gunter at CSP in Germany, they are excellent, I have already replaced one of Doug Misches seals in the 67 and Dave Rhoads used a set in his 64 to overcome the same problem as you when he had his car repainted, and they are perfect.

I also have used them in my restos and have had no problems at all.

Russell