Channel felt- replacement product

[m5bb]

If you are replacing your felt for the leading edges of your door windows and the top of the quarter windows you may be looking for a good product.
I bought from W&N or BMW part number (hope I got this right)

51326654262

This combo rubber and cloth/felt product is very poorly made. Especially the fabric along the edges of where the glass slides in. There has been fraying and threads coming loose and the rubber almost tar back covering comes off. It takes a few times with these items to install and measure and then re-install so they get some handling.
My brand new ones looked like crap. To the net I went and low and behold there are number of items just like this. I saw some reference to American cars for this part.
I'm not stuck on crappy German parts so I ordered a roll of this. 72" long, enough for my quarter windows and if it works and I like it I will replace the channel felt in the front of the big door windows.
Here's some photos. One set shows the BMW part # stuff and the others are the new channel felt I bought.

Here's the link to the new but you might want to wait till I get it installed.
DO NOT USE THIS IT IS TOO TIGHT. 5/29/19 Read down.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C4NRFJL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did slide the end of the roll into the quarter window channel and it went in with out any problems. There are clips for this and did not try those because they are so hard to get out.

First 3 photos are the BMW part. Last 3 the new stuff.

I should know by Monday night.
Off for a few days with company coming.

Have a great Memorial Day.
My dad is buried at Arlington Cemetery in DC. WWII vet.
Always say I'm going up to see all the flags they put out but everything else always gets in the way.
Gary

 

[Koopman]

If anyone is putting in an order I would love to get one. I somehow lost one.
Thanks

 

[m5bb]

If anyone is putting in an order I would love to get one. I somehow lost one.
Thanks

You might want to read what I said again. The W&N and BMW channel is crap.

I've done it too. Look at a thread and read the first couple sentences and think you have it.
Maybe I should edit it to be more direct?

 

[Bmachine]

You might want to read what I said again. The W&N and BMW channel is crap.

I've done it too. Look at a thread and read the first couple sentences and think you have it.
Maybe I should edit it to be more direct?

I think you explained everything pretty clearly.

 

[Wes]

I bought mine off the roll from my local upholstery supplier.
Quality was really good and it was dirt cheap.
As for W&N have you let them know your dis-satisfaction?
I've always found their service and products of the highest quality.

 

[bavbob]

Any follow up? I am perched to purchase.

 

[m5bb]

Any follow up? I am perched to purchase.

Finally got to install some yesterday. It's going to work well. Seems to be ever so slightly tighter but the rubber is not peeling off like the BMW stuff did.
Let me caution you about cutting. It has a metal U shaped tube that the rubber back and cloth channel are attached to. I went to the band saw to cut it and it grabbed the cloth and pulled some loose
so probably better to use a hacksaw or a Dremel tool with a cut off blade and go slow. You can heat the frayed edges with a torch and they will melt and clean up. Careful with that too as it will melt.
Good luck!

 

[Gary Knox]

Any pictures of the installed product available Gary? Thanks if you have some and can post them.

Cheers,

Gary

 

[m5bb]

Any pictures of the installed product available Gary? Thanks if you have some and can post them.

Cheers,

Gary

I'll take some today when I am getting the back window farther forward so it will overlap the front window and it will seal. Yeah!!!!

 

[bavbob]

Yes, do tell. If it is slightly tighter I hope the window will slot correctly and not be too tight. Also is it just pushed in or did you use gasket adhesive?

 

[m5bb]

Yes, do tell. If it is slightly tighter I hope the window will slot correctly and not be too tight. Also is it just pushed in or did you use gasket adhesive?

Yes, guys it is just a hair too tight and glass will not bottom out in slot.
Nice product but will have to try something else.
May use the BMW stuff so I can keep moving forward.

Just went to upholstery place near by but they are mostly furniture.

Going to look on Steele Rubber.

 

[Gary Knox]

Gary

Bummer - Sorry it's too tight. I've used several of Steele's rubber products on my Porsches and the e9. If they fit, they are good.

Keep us advised of the success, oh great hunter!

Cheers,

Gary

 

[HB Chris]

I bought from an online source, don’t think it was these guys but they have many sizes. Match the width and height to your original channel, buy non-beaded channel, beaded has an exposed metal edge. The pics look crude but it is a felt brush not the wirey looking fingers in the diagram.

https://www.metrommp.com/index.cfm?f=part_list_by_type&Type=Window Channels & Sweepers

Edit: Just saw that you bought 9/16, I think the channel is only 1/2” wide

 

[m5bb]

Gary

Bummer - Sorry it's too tight. I've used several of Steele's rubber products on my Porsches and the e9. If they fit, they are good.

Keep us advised of the success, oh great hunter!

Cheers,

Gary

I called Steele and they are sending some samples of the 2-3 that will fit.
That way I can try a piece and then order.
See what happens?
They shipped it today and in NC and I'm in GA so make get by Friday.

 

[bavbob]

Worst scenario is grinding 1/32 off each side. PIA but we are metric ordering from a company with standard measurement products

 

[m5bb]

Ok, got sample from Steele rubber products on Saturday
Sent me 12 samples that were in the right category. No charge.
Just ordered 70-3575-58.
https://www.steelerubber.com/search?q=70-3575-58

This is the best fit.
This channel is all rubber with felt contact surfaces. Part that touches glass.
It fits snugly and yet glass will fit in slot once installed.
It does not have the rubber tar backing that pulls off easily.
I think this is an excellent replacement.
It does not have the look of cloth along the edge like OEM channel did but it does have a reveal that is similar in width/depth to the original.
It stays in place pretty good but may require some weatherstripping type adhesive. TBD.
Gary

 

[Alice Couper]

Thanks Gary.

Product description says it comes in 96" strips. Is one strip enough for all window channels, or is it better to order 2 to be sure?

 

[m5bb]

Thanks Gary.

Product description says it comes in 96" strips. Is one strip enough for all window channels, or is it better to order 2 to be sure?

I ordered two but only measured in my head. The door channels are pretty long so I just counted them as 3 ft x 2 =6 then the quarter windows are at least 2 ft each so 10 ft. total.

 

[m5bb]

Great results today guys with the Steele Rubber channel felt.
I am so excited that it fit so well and was easy to install and does not fall out.
It's all rubber with a felt lining where the glass slides in. Has a good reveal on edges and is SO much better than the OEM.

 

[e30strube]

Did you have to use any kind of adhesive to keep it in place?