Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much will I need?
This material is sold by the foot. Unlike other companies that force you to buy more than you need. You get the exact amount you need. No waste.
To determine how much you need measure the distance around your cab opening. It is important that both openings are exactly the same size. The average full-size pickup truck rear window opening is approximately 13 - 14 feet around. The average mini-truck is approximately 10 feet around the window opening.
You can also click here to use this online calculator to help you determine how much material you require for your project.
How long does it take to receive my order?
Depending on your location it can take anywhere from 3 to 10 days.
What do you charge for shipping?
Here are the various charges for shipping both Domestic and International
| Part 540 Compression Boot - Flap | $ 13.95 |
| Part 541 Accordion Boot | $ 13.95 |
| Part 543 Wide Accordion Boot | $ 17.25 |
| Part 544 Extra Wide Accordion Boot | $ 18.25 |
| Part 545 Compression boot - Bulb | $ 13.95 |
| Canada | $ 43.65 |
| International | $ 83.95 |
What if I don't like something?
Your complete satisfaction is very important to us! We guarantee that if you do not like your merchandise, or it is broken, you can return it and get your money back. This 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee is good for 30 days.
I am not sure that the boot will work in my specific installation, can I get samples of the boot?
Yes, we offer a sample pack that includes each of the boot sytle. Getting a sample will help you know and understand how the boot installs and attaches to your vehicle of special project. To order a sample pack go to http://accordionboot.com/samples.php.
How do I cancel an order?
If you need to cancel your order, simply contact Customer Service. Please include the invoice number of the item that you would like to cancel to insure accuracy. Please keep in mind that once the product is shipped there will be a 10% restocking fee.
I do not live in the United States. May I still buy merchandise?
You sure can! We ship merchandise all over the world! Simply contact Customer Service.
Is there a certain glue that can be used in conjunction with the accordion boot?
The rubber boot does not require glue for installation. This is because there is a spring clip embedded it the rubber. When the boot is placed over a "flange" the spring clip squeezes the rubber securely. The only place you may want to glue the boot is where it meets. This is however optional. To glue the seam where the two ends meet, you can use cyanoacrylate (i.e. SuperGlue). Do not use any petroleum based glues as it will react negatively to the rubber. (i.e. rubber cement). See Installing Accordion Boot for more details
I`m about to put a a fiberglass shell on the back of my truck and I`m taking out the back window. I think the fiberglass shell opening is a bigger than the the back window of the truck. will the Accordion Boot or Compression Boot Gasket Material work?
In order for the accordion boot to work in your application both opening must be the exact size. If the opening in the fiberglass shell is smaller you have the option of resizing the opening to fit your rear window opening. If the opening in the fiberglass shell is bigger than the opening in your truck's window opening you are limited to using the compression boot.
I have a pickup that I cut out a section between the cab and the bed. Will your product work for the metal below the window, or is that material to thin?
Yes the boot will work for this situation
Would I need to use a silicon sealant to make sure the boot would not leak?
No, you do not need to use any additional sealant when installing the rubber boot.
Do you carry the product in stock?
Yes, we try to keep inventory available so we can send your order a quickly as possible. However there are times, due to high order volume, stock can be depleted. If this is the case your items will be backorder and sent as soon as new inventory arrives.
I am wondering if the compression boot can be trimmed to fit around the third brake light?
You cannot cut the boot to fit around the 3rd brake light. Here are a couple of things you may want to do.
- Remove the brake light and cover the opening with a thin plate.
- Instead of installing the boot to the shell, install the boot into the truck window opening. Do this only if you remove the rear window.
I have a fiber glass camper shell. I want access to my camper shell from inside my cab but I don't want to lose heat and have a weatherproof seal . Will this product provide the right solution?
The accordion boot creates an air-tight and weather tight seal between the cabs. It does not provide any insulation. However, heat loss in minimize by the air-tight seal.
I am installing a boot between a truck cab and utility box.The box is about 1/2" thick. Will the boot clips expand over that type of material?
The material will not stretch that far. The maximum size that flange can be is 3/16" to receive the rubber. One solution to consider is to use flat bar and attach that around the opening in the box. One thing you must also remember - both opening need to be the same size and similar in shape.
I have a truck with a wood framed utility box and would like join the cab and box using the accordion boot. How to I attach the boot?
You will not be able to attach the boot material to the wood, It is too thick. The best way to remedy this is to add a flange to the box. This could be done with steel or aluminum flat bar, or something similar (i.e. sheet metal, fiberglass), installed around the perimeter of the opening to allow the boot to attach to the box
I have a Ford F150 with a LEER top. I an pretty sure the accordion seal is the correct option but the warning that the opening must be an exact match has me concerned. It looks like the truck opening is larger at the lower corners but until the window is removed, who knows? Am I on safe ground getting the accordion seal for this application?
The accordion boot only stretches one direction. There is a metal clip embedded in the rubber that allow you to attach the boot to the fiberglass/sheet metal, Therefore both window openings must be the same size. If the opening in the shell is smaller you can cut and trim the fiberglass to match the truck's window opening.
I don't have a Paypal account. Can I pay with a credit card?
You DO NOT have to have or use a PayPal account to purchase.
Instead, you may use a CREDIT or DEBIT CARD
- In the Paypal Shopping Cart after to click on the "Check out" button you will be sent to the Choose a Way to Pay page.
- Look (in the lower right of the page) for AND CLICK "Pay with your debit or credit card as a PayPal guest"
- Complete the credit card transaction form
- Finish your transaction
I am making a walk through conversion on my pickup truck to allow access in the bed. I want to to cut the wall between the cab and bed to make one continuous passenger cabin to the camper shell. I also want something that looks decent, and will last. Will the accordion boot work in this situation?
Yes, the accordion boot will work for you in this type of installation. For more details on how to create and seal a cut through go to the Cut Through FAQ page for more details
How durable is the accordian rubber?
This product is durable. For specific technical data on the rubber visit this page http://www.accordionboot.com/epdm-rubber-boot.php
How thick is the accordion boot rubber?
The thickness of the rubber it is about 3/32" thick. (2.38mm).
Is it suitable for sealing between an airbag mounted truck cab and the body hard mounted to chassis rails on a truck?
As long as there is some sort of flange or wall to install the boot it should work. The thickness of the flange should not exceed 3/16" (4.7625mm) The accordion design allows for independent movement or flex between the cab bodies.
I want to use your product on my cap and leave my truck window in. Can I add a self adhesive strip to the truck side to keep it from rubbing and damaging my paint?
One issue to consider when using the compression boot is the friction of the rubber against the vehicle's body. An adhesive strip will protect the paint. There use to be a product on the market called "Cab Skin". I don't believe it is available anymore. There is a product made by Trimbrite called Bodyguard. You can find it on Amazon. Although it is designed to protect rocker panels, you should be able to cut it to the shape of your trucks' cab.
What if I have a question that is not on this FAQ?
For anything not show here please contact Customer Service. You can also call 619-593-9483
Go here to place your accordion boot order
Will one of these work on both sliding windows on truck & cap. I don't want to remove either sliding window.
In order for the boot to attach to the vehicle there must be some sort of thin wall or flange. Keeping the slider window will cover any flange or thin wall. In short you will not be able to use any or the boots if you keep the sliding windows in place as there will be no mechanical method to install the boot.
I have a truck that I want to install a camper shell on. The shell has a slider and I will need to remove the rear cab window. Is there a procedure when using a boot that insures a watertight seal?
In insure a water tight seal you should consider the accordion boot. In order to use the accordion boot there are a few condition that need to be met.
- 1) Both opening must be the exact same size
- 2) there must be some sort of thin wall or flange to attach the boot. This can be the fiberglass wall or pinch weld around the window opening.
- 3) Both windows will need to be removed.
In regards to condition 1, both opening must be exactly the same you can run into an issue if the camper shell opening is larger than the trucks window opening. You may need to build up the fiberglass. We do offer the compression boot as a concession for situations where the accordion boot will not work.
I am getting a camper shell with a sliding glass window so I am taking the window out of my pickup and it looks like the Compression Boot would be what i need, I am wondering which is the best to get the Compression Boot - Part Number 540 or the Compression Bulb Seal - Part Number 545?
Both boot function the same. We carry both types as different cap manufacturers will use one or the other. But there are slight differences between the two styles.
The flap seal 540 is a single layer of rubber that presses against the cab. In order to seal the edge is a single straight flat edge.
The bulb seal 545 is different in this way. It has a rounded edge. the rubber is double walled with an empty cavity. The material is slightly softer and will conform to the shape of the truck.
Both seal perform similarly. When it come to which one it is really a matter of preference.
Can you make the accordion gasket in different colors?
Sorry the boot only comes in black. We have never tested it, but the rubber is epdm and with the right paint is can be colored. From the research the recommended paint should be an acrylic coating specifically designed for epdm rubber. Usually this is paint for roofing. Latex paint should be avoided.
what do you recommend is the smallest radius cut out in the corners of the opening?
The recommended minimum radius is 1 inch for the boot for corners.