Inner door panel plastic covering question

[nsx_2k]

It appears that I'll be replacing my window "thingies" in the near future on my 91 NSX. I've read through the extensive DIY guide in the WIKI and well as the many tips posted in this forum. One question that I had that I couldn't seem to find an answer for is with regards to the white plastic covering on the inner part of the door the protects in the inner workings of the door from moisture. This plastic is similar to that I've encountered in other Hondas. For some reason, on the other Hondas, that plastic either tore (slightly) or didn't seal back up. So I had to "engineer" a fix that was...shall we say "good enough for government work".

Before entering into the inner part of the door, I want to have the necessary equipment to make the whole process go smoothly.

So my question are:

Is that white plastic fairly durable to tearing as you peel it away from the edges to get to the regulator?

Also, is the adhesive already present so sticky that additional adhesive is not necessary?

Basically, does the plastic stick back to the adhesive without trouble? Or do I need to go out an purchase additional adhesive to ensure a proper seal? If so, what adhesive do you use?

Thanks

 

[Malibu Rapper]

It completely depends on the conditions the car has been in. My 1995 California car with over 100,000 miles and rarely ever saw rain or sat out in the sun had a nearly perfect plastic liner and the adhesive was sticky and tacky like the day it was new. The plastic liner was elastic and strong. I could have just peeled the liner off and stick it back on.

I've opened many other door panels up doing audio work. I have seen 30,000 mile cars newer than mine but sat out in the sun more have more weathered panels that ripped and tore when you touched them. They were dry and brittle. Sometimes the caulk was extremely difficult to remove as it dried up hard.

I think it's a good test to know what kind of weather the car has been through honestly. Though my liner was new, I replaced it all with Dynamat. Its' a bit of work to do that though so if your liners are new I would just reseal it if you could.

 

[NSXclear]

What kind of adhesive do you recommend for the plastic liners? Where do you buy it at?

 

[OLDMNSX]

What kind of adhesive do you recommend for the plastic liners? Where do you buy it at?

Go to any auto body paint retail store. Ask for "Strip Caulk" I believe it is 3M who makes it. It isn't very expensive. I have been working on my package for a few years now. It does come in handy for this.

When you go to remove the plastic weather seal use a knife and try to "skin" the caulk away from the plastic and leave as much on the door as possible. Use the knife like a scraper not as like cutting with the knife. If you have any tears in the plastic clean the surface with 409 or a good cleaner and use clear packaging tape to repair the cut. I like to put the tape on both sides for a better repair.

Brad