[Canis Terribilis]

Frozen Door Frame Prevention?

I did a search to no avail, so I am starting a new thread. This question is not unique to Cadillacs but I’m seeking reliable advice, which is a rare commodity on the Web. I thought the folks here would be a good place to start.

[“Do you know of a proven technique to prevent door frames from freezing shut in the winter?”]

The problem is that in the very cold weather the door frames of my 2005 Escalade ESV, presumably including the sealing gaskets, freeze the doors shut. The issue is not the locks but the doors themselves. When this happens I, sometimes, can gain entry by unlatching the mechanism then slipping the tips of my fingers between the door frame and body above the window and just above the running board.

As I can only get just the very smallest tip of my fingers in there I have very little leverage. When it is 10° my fingers are rendered non-functional in very short order.

Does anyone have any creative ideas?
Suggestions for lubricants to apply to the rubber gaskets? Are the freeze points elsewhere, such as particular metal to metal contacts? Spells? Magic potions? Anything?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

[nstar]

GM recommends silicone treatment here is link to reference. Viable alternative to GM product for weatherstripping protection | Chevy SSR Forum (ssrfanatic.com)

 

[Canis Terribilis]

N Star,

WOW! What a speedy, and useful with documented specifics, response. I darn near needed a Cesium Atomic Clock to measure the picoseconds it took you to come to my aid 😃.

Well Done Sir! Well done indeed.

I'm on it.

 

[Submariner409]

Quick Google search - the above link is also in there somewhere.

automobile frozen weathertrip prevention - Google Search

Surprised that you got the rapid reply in this otherwise dead forum. Ol' nstar is a pretty prolific member. Maybe more advice in your particular Escalade forum - I'll bet you're not alone.

 

[Tripwire]

When i lived in germany and it got very cold with moisture we kept a small under desk space heater in the car and had it on a timer to kick on a hour or so before departure, seats were warm and windows defrosted as a bonus

 

[Canis Terribilis]

Thanks S 409,

I wasn't aware this sub-forum (no pun intended) was mostly inactive. I was just trying to abide by the rules and regulations of the Board.

I have found on other boards that unfortunately the Admins are sometimes kept busy by oblivious nimrods who violate the rules so, as a brand new member, I wanted to be a good citizen.

All of my local auto parts stores neither had nor could order the Sil-Glyde SG-8, but I've got two 8 oz. tubes due in this coming Friday from Amazon.

Oh Yeah! I'm a Happy 😃 Camper❗

 

[rodnok01]

Silicone of some sort... When we're due for ice I do not push door all the way shut either, 1st latch. Lights go off and door opens easy.

 

[Canis Terribilis]

Intriguing backup strategy Rod.

It may indeed prove useful as I have yet to determine whether frozen gaskets are the only culprit. During previous chapters of my life, pre-heated garage (see my profile), when I encountered frozen doors on other cars/SUVs the upper portion of the door above the window would not budge but the lower portion at the very bottom would offer a slight bit of play.

With my ESV the lower portion is just as immobile as the upper. I can understand the upper being tightly sealed as water would accumulate up there from snowmelt after a warm truck being parked, but it wouldn't seem to me that the lower portion would hold as fast.

But as the gap clearances on my ESV
are much tighter than those of cars in the 1970s, and I can only fit the very tips of my fingers in there, I really have no idea what is going on.

But if the freeze contact surfaces are more than just rubber to metal your workaround could be a lifesaver.

With leaving the door less than completely sealed as you describe will my Baby still be relatively secure?

Thanks for the suggestion. I would have never thought 🤔 outside the box like that.

 

[rodnok01]

I've never had an issue, door is locked and looks completely closed also.
The whole door will freeze shut on my cars not just the top, any moisture freezes. Before an ice event or snow i hit with some silicone also all the way around. Some vehicles are notorious for doors freezing shut. Of course remote starter helps if icy and I'm out and can't park inside.

 

[Canis Terribilis]

Cool! Rod,

Very very cool, particularly the appearance of being completely closed in addition to being securely locked. 10 years ago I was banished from Castle Terribilis and now reside in an apartment complex with approximately 200 units so there are many vehicles for miscreants with ill intent to troll.

You guys Kick Ass!

I now realize why I feel so at home here. As I have been looking around perusing the required reading I did not recognize "Lord Cadillac", but as soon as I got to the bottom of the first post of his I read "Sal Collaziano" jumped off the screen at me. I was a member under a long forgotten credential set over 10 years ago. It's great to be back❗

(I was "TechnoBill" but all my tech-doo-daddery that secured my passwords were unceremoniously purloined during aforementioned banishment.)

 

[Submariner409]

I wasn't aware this sub-forum (no pun intended) was mostly inactive. I was just trying to abide by the rules.............

We're pretty loose around here - stuff gets replied to or moved to the forum of best exposure without fanfare. On the other hand - foul language, insults, flaming, trolling - all will earn total site access vacations and nasty notes from Moderators. This is Cadillac Forums - we're a cut above the rest

 

[Canis Terribilis]

Copy that. Just as I remember it. In a Web World where trendy flash in the pan "influencers" come and go like last night's garbage, it's nice there are still some havens of stability and civility, both endangered species these days.

 

[Canis Terribilis]

N Star,

This morning I lubricated my door gaskets with Sil-Glyde. Having not personally detailed my ESV for over 10 years I had forgotten that there are TWO sets of door gaskets. And I now think it is highly likely that the frozen door problem will not recur.

Thank You Sir👏!

GM recommends silicone treatment here is link to reference. Viable alternative to GM product for weatherstripping protection | Chevy SSR Forum (ssrfanatic.com)

 

[nstar]

N Star,

This morning I lubricated my door gaskets with Sil-Glyde. Having not personally detailed my ESV for over 10 years I had forgotten that there are TWO sets of door gaskets. And I now think it is highly likely that the frozen door problem will not recur.

Thank You Sir👏!

You're Welcome not ready for this next season myself !