Car doors freezing shut?

If you can stand outside for a while, try using a hair dryer along the edges (weatherstripping). This also works if your door freezes open. (does happen).
 
Your rubber door seals are freezing in place and sticking. Like another poster said, silicone spray on the seal works wonders for this.
 
lol.. my gf just called me complaining about her car doors being frozen shut! shes goin out there with a bucket of hot water now..
 
I wish I could find the link but in more than one place I have seen that the thermal shock from hot water on cold clear *may* promote clear failure down the road. I assume the clear expands faster than everything under it compromizing the clear and causing micro fracturing.
 
Not to be a smartass, but did you try a different door?



I second using silicone grease. Water based dressing are water-based. I dont' see how they would prevent freezing. Some silicone along it will do wonders. It won't soak in or anything, and come spring you can wipe it off and use the rubber protectant of your choice. :xyxthumbs
 
I had my doors freeze up on me before. At the time I had a hatch back so I climbed in there. :D But it wasn't easy. I had a bad back from a car accident a few month earlier and I also had to climb over my sub box which didn't leave much room.



James
 
Aurora40 said:
Not to be a smartass, but did you try a different door?



I second using silicone grease. Water based dressing are water-based. I dont' see how they would prevent freezing. Some silicone along it will do wonders. It won't soak in or anything, and come spring you can wipe it off and use the rubber protectant of your choice. :xyxthumbs
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Yes. Yes I did.



This morning I looked over and the only door that wasn't unlocked was the drivers. :o





Oh did I feel like an idiot. :bow
 
What silicone spray product do you use? Is it acutally silicone spray or a product that contains silicone?
 
Be careful heating the key with a lighter. Some keys have chips in them now and the heat could damage the chip.
 
Jesstzn said:
I wish I could find the link but in more than one place I have seen that the thermal shock from hot water on cold clear *may* promote clear failure down the road. I assume the clear expands faster than everything under it compromizing the clear and causing micro fracturing.
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Good point. I should have also stated that you don't need HOT water, I mean the temp that I use is cooler than I like when I take a shower. Because anything that isn't really cold, hell even room temperature would be good, will make that thin coat unfreeze on the door. I had a freind that put water so how he said he couldn't stand to touch it on his car :shocked I wouldn't suggest that. He didn't have any problems, but he's very lucky.
 
twopu said:
What silicone spray product do you use? Is it acutally silicone spray or a product that contains silicone?
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I use actual silicone, the part number recommended by GM. It's a tube of it, labeled "dielectric grease". It was pretty pricey, but it goes a long way. I only use it on the cars that will be out in the freezing.
 
Aurora40 said:
I use actual silicone, the part number recommended by GM. It's a tube of it, labeled "dielectric grease". It was pretty pricey, but it goes a long way. I only use it on the cars that will be out in the freezing.
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That's probably Dow Corning 4 or 7. 4 is the stuff that they used to give you for the GM HEI distributors when you changed the cap and had to lube that contact for the coil (also for lubing the spark plug boots, etc.). Dow Corning recommended the 7 to me for weatherstripping, it's similar but thinner. You can probably buy it from MSC; their site is down right now so I can't check.
 
Corey--I need to tell you--if this ever happens again--only pour WARM water on the door--it will thaw it faster than HOT water...don't ask me how this can be :p
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Corey--I need to tell you--if this ever happens again--only pour WARM water on the door--it will thaw it faster than HOT water...don't ask me how this can be :p
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Same idea as when they flooded the old ice rinks they used hot water because it froze faster. Froze leveler too.. and I can't remember the theory behind it..
 
Happened to me today..............what a surprise. Didn't have time for hot water.



BTW: hot water is great for winter washing. I never had problems from using it, and we're talking quite a few years back as well.
 
get some silicone spray lubricant. Use it on all ruber pieces that seal the door. The lubricant dries without residue or oils. No probs here. Ive been at -20.
 
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