Hey all,

I'm needing to put new window rubbers/seals (rear, rear quarter windows and windscreen) in my 71 super bug.

I notice on Just Kampers and Vollks.com there are two types. The one with the trim groove (which is currently in it), and the grooveless 'cali' look ones.

I'm wanting the know what the difference is besides the look of having a chrome trim insert.

Are the Cali grooveless ones any harder to fit.
Do they perform as well as the grooved ones?

I'm leaning towards the cali grooveless ones if there is no great difference. Purely on price really.

any opinions would be great.
Thanks

Hi
I have always used the grooveless ones as I've never been able to fit the aluminium strip [german made] or [stainless steel in most Australianassembled cars]
so, I would have to recommend the cal look ones..
much easier to fit as you don;t need to worry about bending the strip which has to be fitted before it goes into the car.. lol

they can be hard enough to fit without anything else to go wrong.. lol although My Son has fitted them with the strips..
aluminium and stainless steel..

so, You just need to get the correct one for what you are doing..

remember that cheap rubber can detoriate in the sun in a short period of time.. Our UV rays kill cheap rubber..

Its very difficult to tell the good from the bad rubber if they are all made in Brasil.. as there are heaps of factories making VW parts in Brasil [probably not as many now] and some stuff is rubbish..
its OK with door rubbers as they are easy to replace...
but I have seen side window and windscreen rubbers lifting badly in the corners, within 12 months of being fitted..

I have a rear Brasillian rubber which is excellent, in since 2005
My other rubbers are USA made..
[some goose put wrong rear rubber seal in bag for a 68]

cheers

LEE

I've used Wolfsburg West .Good quality and fit,Cip1 sell a German made set that I have bought for a 1960 bug that seem to be good to (lower price )

I used German made ones with a groove, so I could keep the originality of our Beetle. They were so good, the windows and rubbers were taken out of our old Beetle that got crashed and I put all the rubbers in our current Beetle. As daily drivers, the rubbers are still good after 10 years and been in two vehicles. They were pretty expensive at the time I think it was over $300 for the 4 rubbers.

Thanks the the advice guys. Is there anyone in australia (on the net) that sell DECENT rubbers? I'm guessing the rubber kits that are advertised for $70 odd dollars are rubbish?

Thanks

I would ring Vintage Vee Dub in Sydney (02) 9789 1777

or Aussie VW Performance in Melbourne (03) 9761 4540

They both can supply better quality rubbers

on the net... Australian websites -

I can recommend JustKampers.com.au as they seem to source their stuff primarily via the UK, which means European sources rather than asian.

Another one on the net - Das Resto Parts, sell mostly Wolfsburg West parts and full kits. I just ordered from them a full kit of door rubbers and felt trim for a 56 Oval, and I could see from the photos that every last little bit is Wolfsburg West. I also contacted them and they assured me they arent mucking around when it comes to providing quality kits on the internet. Always good to hear.
So thats 2 on the net that I can recommend.
.

Be careful buying from just kampers there year models are uk models and there different,also make sure the brand they advertise is what your buying,i was going to buy a carpet kit that was advertised as a newman carpet kit,but after i asked a few question found out there TMI. When i aksed why they advertised as newman i was told its up to the uk site to change the description and they would get back to me about the carpet kit,well they never did reply and they still advertise newman carpet kits.

cheap brasillian rubbers would probably last forever in the UK etc..

no UV rays and little sun.. lol

cars rust away over there before the rubber falls to bits..... lol

the quality of the rubber is the thing..

best of luck

LEE