Installation tip

B

BigJohn

Junior Member
Does anyone have good advise for installing the rubber seal on my
39 Ford Deluxe Coupe windshield.
Bought a new seal from Bob Drake.
Thanks
 
Simple green makes a good lube for mating rubber to metal. Was used in the local factory.
 
You MUST have ALL of the old seal out of the windshield frame.
I was taught to use Windex or a similar glass cleaner as a lubricant. It washes away easily and does not foam during the first rain storm.

Install the four "corners" of the seal first. Then install a bit midway between then corners. THEN, install what remains. Do NOT pull the seal in any direction. It must remain as relaxed upon installation as possible.
I use a thick blade putty knife that I have radius'd the edges on to push the seal in place.
Be very patient. This is a very tedious job.
 
While an "eased edge" putty knife has been a stalwart tool for ages, in recent years I've come to use something known as a "folding bone". Hobby/craft outlets sell then for putting a nice, crisp fold on paper, but the edge and contour also make it a good tucking tool to me.
 

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Hope no one minds if I butt in here.....others might have same question. How do you handle the top half and bottom half of the windshield frame? Or are the cars not split top and bottom like pickups?

Just wondering if the seal and glass should be installed completely in top or bottom, then line up splice pieces and other (top or bottom) and proceed?

Or said another way, when and how in the process do you put top and bottom together?

Thanks,

Gordon
 
Hey Gordon, Perhaps others may do this differently but I always have the frames put together prior to installing the seal.
 
Does one put the rubber on the glass first, then install both in the frame at the same time?

Saw that happening in a youtube video.

BigJohn, if this is messing up your thread, I can start a new one

Thanks,

Gordon
 
Are we talking about the seal that fits into the frame after its put together with the glass installed or the glass setting tape that is used to seal the windshield in the 2 piece frame which is held together with 4 screws on each side of the frame?
 
malpais said:
Does one put the rubber on the glass first, then install both in the frame at the same time?

Saw that happening in a youtube video.

BigJohn, if this is messing up your thread, I can start a new one

Thanks,

Gordon
Click to expand...
Gordon, I am starting to think you are talking of a different "animal" here than the original poster.
He is speaking in regard to the seal that goes in to a groove along the outer perimeter of the windshield frame. This provides a seal between the body and the windshield frame.
I am thinking you are speaking in regard to setting the glass within the frame. Yes?
If so, the glass is set with "glass setting tape" and not a rubber seal. The tape is specifically designed for providing a seal and "setting" the glass semi-permanently within a frame.
 
Thank all You for your advise. I like to think someone
has already made the mistakes that I do not want to repeat.
If it does not rain I will grab my neighbor and give it a try.
 
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