Door seals
 

Anyone any experience of replacing the door seals that surround the door in a metal channel and any likely difficulties I am going to come across. I have tentatively tried to pull the seal off but it seems reluctant to move

I've done this by finding a bit that will release, and then placing a blunt screwdriver in the channel, under the rubber, and pushing it along the channel, forcing the rubber out.

Thanks for that I take it the same applies to get the new one in.

Yes, put one side of the rubber into the groove and carefully push the other side in, as it is very easy to split it. Either use blunt screwdriver or something like a filler spreader.

A bit of WD-40 can help, not to much. Try not to stretch the length as you fit it, especially around the corners.

Strongly recommend using the end of a plastic tool like a door panel removal tool or scraper narrow enough to fit the channel. You want to avoid scratching the paint and inviting corrosion. Same tool will be useful for working the new seal into place without chewing up the rubber.

Silicone grease or spray on the new seal will go a long way in the installation. Pictures of the old seal before removal would be useful.

Thanks Derek

Doesn’t WD 40, a petroleum product, degrade rubber?

The WD-40 company says zero to negligible I believe. Pure rubber may have issues but not many "rubber" components are pure rubber. For this job I'd say fine. It will evaporate quite quickly anyway. You could use glycerine (local chemist and cheap) but I'd avoid silicone just in case of future paint issues.
If I say use Fairy Liquid or dish soap people will complain it has salt in it so I can't win. Wouldn't stop me using it at a pinch though. Sometimes things get too slippery and that can make the job harder. Warm weather and warm seals always a plus.

Have bought a wooden spatula today which should allow me to push one side into the groove without damaging in, WD40 I would agree should be OK and not as damaging as first thought. If spatula works will take some pics.