Shower Door Seal
#1
11-11-09, 06:22 PM
Shower Door Seal
Where can one find the clear seal between the glass on a shower door and the metal door frame? The seal on my door has lots of mold underneath and there is no way to bleach/clean it. Figured I'd rip out the old seal and put in a new one but can't find what that is anywhere, even online. It's not caulk, it's like a clear seal that I guess has an adhesive on one side to stick to the glass or has a flange or something that fits under the metal frame to keep it in place. I've tried the big box stores, they refer me to mom and pop stores. The mom and pop stores don't carry it, can't find it online - everytime I search for shower door seals it comes back with everything except the actual clear rubbery seal that I'm looking for. I'm beginning to think all I can do is buy 2 new doors, but that seems silly when all I want to do is get rid of the back mold that is under the seal.
#3
11-12-09, 08:16 PM
permagrin,
Welcome to the forums.
Just Bill is right -- this IS going to be a tough one!
The chances of figuring out who the mfgr. is are somewhere between non-existant and impossible. You can try a local glass shop and see if they can help you.
It may come down to just finding a cleaner that will work. Have you tried Simple Green, Rid-X, Comet Cleanser, ... ??
Welcome to the forums.
Just Bill is right -- this IS going to be a tough one!
The chances of figuring out who the mfgr. is are somewhere between non-existant and impossible. You can try a local glass shop and see if they can help you.
It may come down to just finding a cleaner that will work. Have you tried Simple Green, Rid-X, Comet Cleanser, ... ??
#4
11-13-09, 03:06 PM
Member
From your description, are you referring to the clear vinyl that holds the glass in the frame? If so, you must take a sample to your local glass shop since there are a number of sizes.
#5
11-13-09, 06:48 PM
Thanks folks,
I think I am refering to the clear vinyl that holds the glass in the frame. It is on both sides of the door, is clear, I just don't know if it is vinly or not, but if that's what's usually there then that is most likely what it is. I've managed to get a razor blade underneath it and scrape out some of the gunk. It's pretty nasty on the bottom half of the sliding door. Using simple green or other cleaners doesn't work cause the mildew/mold is under the vinyl. I can scrape some of it out but there is still black stuff attached to the vinyl. I was afraid to do the razor thing since I thought there might be an adhesive that kept it in place but it seems like there isn't any. I can certainly take a sample to a glass shop though. I can get some of the gunk out but not all of it and it's getting pretty nasty.
I think I am refering to the clear vinyl that holds the glass in the frame. It is on both sides of the door, is clear, I just don't know if it is vinly or not, but if that's what's usually there then that is most likely what it is. I've managed to get a razor blade underneath it and scrape out some of the gunk. It's pretty nasty on the bottom half of the sliding door. Using simple green or other cleaners doesn't work cause the mildew/mold is under the vinyl. I can scrape some of it out but there is still black stuff attached to the vinyl. I was afraid to do the razor thing since I thought there might be an adhesive that kept it in place but it seems like there isn't any. I can certainly take a sample to a glass shop though. I can get some of the gunk out but not all of it and it's getting pretty nasty.
#6
11-14-09, 04:45 AM
Member
You will never get that clean. The clear vinyl, "glazing channel", is a "U" shape that is slipped over the glass and the aluminum frame is put over that. To replace it, you must disassemble the entire door and you can run into some problems like broken corners, stubborn screws and then the possibility of breaking the glass.
#7
11-14-09, 06:19 PM
Johnam, Ah, got it, I have seen those online and just didn't realize that's what it was I needed. I thought each side of the door was its own piece of vinly and could get away with taking it off and putting a new one on without removing the frame, but now it sounds a bit more involved. I'm handy but sounds like a pain that might result in me needing to buy 2 new doors anyway (we're talking plain stock type doors). I guess if that's the case I might as well give it a shot. The doors are 8 years old and the vinyl goes from clear at the top to dark black as you go down to the shower floor. I can only assume that this happens to everyone eventually - the vinyl turning black. I guess folks either just live with it and don't care as much or they do something to not let that happen in the first place. I clean the shower and even recaulk when the caulk gets bad to where bleach type cleaners don't work anymore, but have never been able to get the vinyl clean. Any tips/thoughts on how best to replace or what not to do appreciated but you've answered my question on what it is I'm looking to replace. Sounds like I need to take the doors out, remove the frame, remove the old channel, put new channel on and put the frame back together, all while being very careful. Think I'll price doors first. Thanks.
#8
11-15-09, 06:22 AM
The retaining spline in my shower doors is gray, not clear. Keeping it clean and new looking has never been a problem, and those doors are 15 years old.
If you replace the doors, look for ones that don't use a clear retaining spline.
If you replace the doors, look for ones that don't use a clear retaining spline.
#9
11-15-09, 05:37 PM
Member
Most manufacturers use clear spline since doors come in many finishes. Before buying new doors, why not try to find the spline at a local glass shop and try to replace it or have them do it. New doors means replacing everything since the doors themselves may not be compatible with the tracks and the height.
