1947-1952 Radio Gasket Question

[61LaRk4dr]

Does anyone know where I can get replacement material for the gasket that goes around the speaker portion of the Philco radios that were used by Studebaker for the years 1947-1952? I know over those year the speaker area had round gasket patterns and then to rectangular by 1952. I would imagine it was the same gasket material through that range of years? What is the reason for why it looks like the gasket melts of the years? Does it really get that hot behind the dashboard?

[Bud]

The original gasket is made out of natural rubber which deteriorates over the years. I've been using sponge rubber house type weather stripping that can be found at places like Home Depot or Lowes. I buy the appropriate width strip and glue the edge of the weather strip to the front of the radio. The gasket is used to be sure that the speaker is sealed to the instrument panel. If it isn't, the bass response of the radio suffers. Bud

[RadioRoy]

What Bud said.
You can also buy similar weather strip material at many auto parts stores. After putting it on with its own "stickum" I put some thin super glue on the mating surfaces and weight the gasket with a board until the glue sets.

[BobWaitz]

I tried round closed-cell foam that you use to fill large cracks before caulking but it was too dense and I had trouble finding adhesive that would hold it so I finally went with what Bud suggests. The trick is getting the right width (depth?). It needs to make a good contact all the way around.

[61LaRk4dr]

Thank you all for the advice. I will be heading over to the hardware/automotive store this weekend.

[Bud]

I use the black 3M weather strip adhesive to secure the foam tape to the front of the radio which works really well, but can be messy if too much adhesive is used. Bud