There are probably not many X-Types out there, where the rubber on the OE strips left and right of the windscreen are still undamaged. The normal sad picture to be seen there are completely torn rubber-lips hanging off the plastic strips.

The part numbers of those strips, which are properly called “windshield-reveal moulding” are: C2S36549 and C2S36550. Check out the net for pricing. You’ll find them listed for the rip-off price of roughly US$100 a pop (=each).

I fixed those already on my 2.1L X-Type, and now I have done the same thing on my 2.5L 2004 X-Type. That fix is a walk in the park:

That picture is of the Aliexpress listing, where I bought this "car windshield seal strip", which comes in 14 and 19mm width - I bought 8m of 14mm strip for just short of AU$20 incl. Australian tax and free postage.


This is what the old strips looked like.


To remove them, you pull them towards you. It's a lot easier with this cheap tool. Starting from the top, then down from there is the way to go.


Here you see that strip removed, turned over and placed next to where it was mounted. Plenty of dirt to be marveled at.


With scissors and cutter knife I removed the OUTER little lip completely (what was left of it anyway). Note that my INNER lip was also severely damaged - maybe yours looks better - in which case: leave it. On the INNER lip I left just sufficient rubber to attach the new strip on. You can really feel - when you cut the old rubber edge off - that this is utterly dry and brittle rubber, while the inner remainder is still soft rubber. Obviously, the old rubber remains need to be cleaned (with isopropanol alcohol or wax & grease remover) before attaching the new strips. Cutting the old rubber is actually lots easier, if you heat it up with a heat gun before cutting.


After having replace the INNER and OUTER rubber lips, I would suggest to leave the OUTER edge of the plastic-strip bare of rubber (if you had to remove the old remains). It looks good and there is not really a functional reason for this OUTER lip. If you like an extra challenge, you may do what I did: Cut for each side a length of 6mm wide (12mm at the bottom) rubber strips (I have a roll of 1mm rubber) and fix it to the plastic strip with black silicone (unless you have a better idea). This is very laborious and I would not re-do those OUTER lips again.


Those are my restored "windshield-reveal mouldings" before reinstallation.


...and that's them installed.


I did hand-trim those OUTER strips. As I mentioned: That part is a lot of work - the INNER lips however are a walk in the park.


Finished. As new and US$200 plus postage saved...

PS: The 19mm wide "car windshield seal strip" would be a real alternative - I'd probably go for that one next time...

 

Super job. A lot many thanks.

 

No worries and thank you.

 

I got mine from Temu, looks like the same product and as you said very easy to do.