A wet vehicle interior may not seem like a big deal at first, but unless the source of the leak is located and repaired, it can easily become a much bigger problem.
One of the most common sources of water leaking into your car is through faulty door seals.
Find out what you can do to preserve and prevent your door seals from leaking.
Why Seals Leak
The reason water gets into your car from the door area is due to damaged or worn seals, also called weather stripping. While door seals are fairly easy to repair or replace, it’s better to prevent water from entering your vehicle than to clean up the damage once done.
Damaged or worn seals result from collision damage, improper installation, wear and tear, or intense sunlight breaking down the weather-stripping material.
Potential Damage from Leaky Seals
Over time, here is some of the water damage you can expect inside your vehicle from leaky seals:
- Stale, musty odor
- Mold
- Staining
- Interior humidity
- Corrosion/rust of connectors, brackets, other metal components
- Sensor/computer damage and/or failure
- Permanent damage to carpet/upholstery
How to Prevent Leaky Seals
Hands down, the best method of preserving your door seals is to wash and treat them as part of your regular vehicle maintenance/cleaning routine.
Easy Directions for Washing/Conditioning Door Seals
- After filling a bucket with warm water and a mild cleaner (made specifically for washing your vehicle), soap up the vehicle and door seals. Clean away dirt, dust and grime with a soapy sponge or gentle brush.
- Thoroughly rinse the vehicle and door seals, removing all traces of cleaner.
- Let door seals air dry by leaving all doors open.
- When seals are dry, gently apply a rubber seal protectant with a clean microfiber cloth or brush. This step is important because it conditions and protects the rubber material from outdoor elements, including intense heat and damaging UV rays.
Another benefit of conditioning your door seals is that the color is restored, making them look more like brand new.
The more often you clean and protect your seals, the longer you can expect them to last.
Conclusion
By giving extra care and attention to your door seals, you can help keep them in good working order and enjoy a dry vehicle interior for years to come. When a collision is the source of damaged door seals and interior water leaks, head straight over to the auto collision experts at Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park.
