I Asked This Before But ......

[drizler]

Anyways I keep watching the wife's 2000 Grand CHerokee start to bubble up around the window rubbers and know soon enough I have to do somethig with it. I guess the technical word for those door window seals are "wipes". Anyways yoiu know what I mean that nasty cheap rubber covered metal that just loves to bubble up and bleed rust down onto the paint as it rots away eventually to bubble and blister up along the edges looking really hideous. A couple of you guys suggested a place or 2 to buy replacements but they seem to only cater to old classics ect.
So heres the question. Just how do you guys who do it for a living repair or otherwise address those nasty rubber covered steel nasties? From what I remember the Japs came up with it first using some sort of plating that looked like a goldish cadmium plate but held up like crap even though its rubber covered. I first saw the stuff in my 89 Isuzu Amigo where the entire tailgate innards just rusted away leaving all the painted innards fine. Another fine idea that no one thought to check before entering production.

[isprayum]

correct term is "belt molding". they pretty much pop right off, some have a screw you can see with the door opened. get new ones at the stealership. cant be more than 50 bux. then again it could be.

[Phil V]

I agree. there is no fix for bubbling rust bubbling rubber covered moldings. Go to the dealer and buyer a new one and hope it lasts longer than the original factory piece (ya right!).

[wisconsinjimmy]

Why not try the aftermarket people should be able to adapt it heck of a lot cheaper I would think and more than likely better.
Jim

[Len]

If you're looking for the best quality possible (especially for short lived parts) you shouldn't go with aftermarket parts. I've never seen aftermarket parts that were as good as OEM.