Strip between window seals?

[Cento16v]

Hi Guys 🙂

My caravan thankfully has no damp, and I'd like to keep it that way so I don't want to mess about needlessly with seals and things, but the front window has a strip which goes all the way around it between the seals outside and inside which seems to have shrunk?

It has peeled away but it seems just to be cosmetic?

Can I just replace this strip?

Cheers

Liam

 

[Sproket]

Liam,
Can you take a few photos of what you mean and post them ..

How to post photos 😉

 

[Cento16v]

Sorry that would help 🙂

It's C1683 on here.

http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shopping.asp?intDepartmentId=8
Does it just push in between the seals?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sproket]

Is this what you are one about the expanding flash as he calls it ?

 

[Cento16v]

Yes that's exactly right Sproket.

 

[Damian]

The trim strip you have identified does two jobs, it finishes the look of the window assembly but more importantly it keeps tension on the edge of the seal to keep it tight against the opening.

It does shrink over time and there should be an overlap to allow for adjustment, but in most cases it has shrunk enough that to relocate the original strip would leave the window stay holes visible, which is not very nice.

It does just push into the channel but is fiddly to do and a smooth blunt plastic tool would help in replacing.

When you replace it, before removing the old trim, mark the position of the window stays on an adjacent part of the window surround to aid relocation of the stays and leave a good overlap at the bottom edge of the window seal and leave a few days if possible before refitting the stays to allow and initial shrinkage to take place.

A word of warning about the link above, it is very unwise to use a heat gun on the trim as it is easily burnt and heating it will reduce its strength.
It would be better to immerse the strip in hot water if anything, but best installed cold with some lubrication with silicone spray to assist.