Where can I find sponge door seal that compresses easily?

stevenhmiller

stevenhmiller

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Steve's Archer
I bought the T-9088 neoprene door seal for my Piper, but when I put the door on, I couldn't close it. The fit on the door is really close, and that doesn't leave much room for the seal. The T-9088 is what the parts manual calls for.

Does anyone know where to find the really spongy door seals that compress easily to conform to the door when closed? I looked at the door seal on my car and that is made of a real spongy material that compresses very easily (just comparing the two types of materials used).

This is the T-9088 seal I used that didn't work.

20151122_093448.jpg
 
McMaster-Carr is my go-to place for stuff like that. This page for example: http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rubber-weatherstripping-strips The inventory so huge and varied that it can take a while fooling with search terms to find what I'm looking for but it is usually there. Not usually cheap, but usually there.

Edit: Maybe this: "Ultra-Conformable Weather-Resistant Vinyl Foam"
 
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Maybe these seals?

http://www.knots2u.net/front-entry-door-seal-piper-pa-28-pa-32-pa-34-thru-1975-ads-p301-1/


HIGH PERFORMANCE AIRCRAFT DOOR AND WINDOW SEALS

FAA-approved revolutionary new seal design!

Nearly a year of development and testing went into creating this revolutionary new entry door seal for Beechcraft, Cessna and Piper aircraft. The new door seal for General Aviation Aircraft is the result of a space age material developed for NASA. It is ideal for airplanes because it conforms to the sealing surfaces, forming a perfect sealing bond between the door and the fuselage. Custom extruded from a special hybrid rubber compound, the new seal is superior to any seal on the market. The hybrid rubber compound sealing material is unique because it compresses under pressure from the door. When the door stops applying pressure against the seal, the seal no longer compresses and actually makes an impression of the surface pressing against it. This seal conforms to surfaces so well that when you open the door you will actually see a perfect imprint in the seal of every rivet and seam!

The seal is designed to fit in the channels around the door openings. The seal has the ability to compress from 3/8" to as small as 1/32" thick without losing its sealing ability. The kit includes door (or window) seal, seal lube, installation instructions, and engineering drawings. The hybrid compound meets Military Specifications (Mil Spec) and is now certified for use on single engine aircraft by the FAA, requiring only a log book entry. The seal is FAA-PMA APPROVED, Affordable, and Made in the USA.

The ADS-ADH super adhesive has exceptional bonding strength, is fast drying, and firmly bonds the seals making your installation easier! We recommend you order the adhesive when you order your new seals. One tube is enough for installing all the seals on your aircraft when applied in accordance with the seal installation instructions.

The new seals are available at a fraction of the cost of OEM seals and benefits of their use include an airtight and water tight fit, and greatly reduced cabin noise for even more enjoyable flying!

For instructions on making your door fit perfect reference. New Clevis Pin and Eye Bolt sets are also available to bring your door up to new standards!
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As Jim said, Home Depot will have the softest stuff. I haven't seen a "certified" seal yet that works well and still allows the door to close easily. I think those doors were designed for seal shapes and materials that are no longer available, and their replacements don't work.
 
stevenhmiller said:
I believe that's the seal that Aircraft Door Seals sells. I had that before and had problems with it. Door was way too tight also.
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I installed Aircraft Door Seals products on my Baron several years ago and they've performed well since then. They do recommend that you apply silicone grease every year to keep the seals pliant.

Guy Ginby make die cut seals for Beech doors and windows that are supposed to be very good. I don't know if he offers anything for Archers but it might be worth a call to find out.

Gee-Bee Products​
800-556-3160​
 
Can you get an inflatable seal for it? Those are very thin when flat.
 
Aircraft Door Seals. Tight for a couple of months on an Arrow (adjusted the latch slightly to help), smooth as silk but still effective now, two years later.
 
catmandu said:
Aircraft Door Seals. Tight for a couple of months on an Arrow (adjusted the latch slightly to help), smooth as silk but still effective now, two years later.
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I had their seal on and it was way too tight, even after adjusting the door. I had it on for a full year. It caused other problems and that's why I removed it and am looking to replace the seal now.
 
I went with the LAD seals.

Lowe's Aviation Department. Work just fine.
 
I forget which width and thickness it was. They have a pretty good variety.
 
stevenhmiller said:
I believe that's the seal that Aircraft Door Seals sells. I had that before and had problems with it. Door was way too tight also.
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Yes they are. I have one on my baggage door and it is a tight fit. It will "break in" though.
 
The seal I used on the Comanche door was from http://www.avtek2.com
It is working well. I used additional weatherstrip glue to secure the seal. I used just a single strip of the hollow seal around the door with a second strip running along the bottom. Sealed great with no added seal needed on the fuselage / door entry. I think his stuff is available thru Aircraft Spruce as well as directly. It doesn't look like his website has been updated for quite a while. He's a nice guy, I chatted with him at the Pacific Northwest Aviation Conference a few years ago.
Good Luck on your project!
 
Unit74 said:
Yes they are. I have one on my baggage door and it is a tight fit. It will "break in" though.
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If it doesn't break the hinges or supporting structures first. Seen cracks in those areas too often, sometimes because of seal pressures.
 
Spoke to Browns Aircraft and told them the issues with the seal I bought from them, being unable to close the door. They are sending me a different seal, a hollow 1/4 round, at no cost. Even shipping it overnight!!! Talk about great customer service!
 
stevenhmiller said:
I had their seal on and it was way too tight, even after adjusting the door. I had it on for a full year. It caused other problems and that's why I removed it and am looking to replace the seal now.
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Seriously? It sounds like you have an airframe issue, not a seal issue. If you can't make any of the seals designed for the job work, you may want to take a closer look at things... or maybe not.:lol: You may need to flatten the arc in your door a bit. They get pulled down with time and people pulling themselves up on them.
 
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Henning said:
Seriously? It sounds like you have an airframe issue, not a seal issue. If you can't make any of the seals designed for the job work, you may want to take a closer look at things... or maybe not.:lol: You may need to flatten the arc in your door a bit.
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Nothing wrong with the airframe. The door is a close fit without any seals. Lines up perfectly. No twisting anywhere and not off anywhere.
 
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