Securing Windlace

[Ecode70D]

  There was a post some time ago about securing the wind lace to keep it from coming loose. One of the members came up with a good idea.  He said that he put in sheet metal screws and attached the windlace to them with wire. 
   I just  want to thank that member for a good suggestion.  The original clips leave a lot to be desired.  My new windlace  was coming loose before I even started to drive the car. I had to take the back panels off anyways to install my SS on the quarter panels.  While they were off, I did his trick to secure the wind lace.
   So I want to say thanks to that member for his advice.  Jay

[JimNolan]

You're welcome.

[Ecode70D]

You're welcome.

Jim
     I hope that all is well with you..
     I searched and couldn't find the thread where you made that suggestion but I did remember what you said.  It was on the top of my to do list because I knew that at some point I was going to take the back side panels off.  So now that's one more thing that can be checked off.
     Mine were glued in along with using the original clips and it still didn't hold.
     Thanks for sharing your method.  Jay
   

[JimNolan]

Thanks. I remember telling people about this method on here but that was a long time ago. The idea wasn't mine to begin with. I happen to work with a guy that restores 57-59 retractables and he told me about this method of holding windlace in position. I remember he phrased it like " do it, don't think about not doing it and enjoy knowing kids won't pull it loose getting into the back seat and your feet and legs won't pull it away from the front door jam". I've had mine done since 2009, put plenty of kids in the back seat and never had a problem. enjoy.

[Ecode70D]

Well Jim
     I'm sold!
Jay

[Zapato]

So what is the trick, or where is that post?

Zap-

[JimNolan]

Zap,
   I haven't got a picture but I'll try to explain.
After you figure out the length of the wind lace needed you simply thread stainless wire (as used in wire tying aircraft bolts) through the flap of the wind lace. Thread it in and out every inch or so leaving plenty on each end to secure to a screw on the side of the car covered by your kick panel or rear side panel. Install the wind lace making sure you use the original clamps used by the factory. Also make sure the wire (threaded through the wind lace) is held by these clamps also. After you have the wind lace in place as per original configuration go back and pull each end of wire tight and wrap it a couple time around screws (which you inserted) to keep the wire tight. THEN. Drill and install as many screws as you wish up and down the wind lace and connect a short length of wire from stainless wire in wind lace to these screws. There's really no need to over tighten because stainless wire don't stretch too damned much. I myself used plenty of screws and tied wind lace in multiple places because once the installation was done I didn't want to go back in there because I had done the job half ass.

[Zapato]

Jim, no picture needed you explained it perfectly, another great use for safety wire.Thans!

Zap-

[suede57ford]

I have sewn and glued/stapled rigid cardboard strips to the windlace, then installed.  This even works good where it slides in by the headliner over the door.   By securing it to something rigid it will retain it shape and be easy to install. 

I make the rigid strips to first the car first, then attach the windlace.

I did not put the windlace back in on my black sedan and I actually think it looks better with out the old time rope looking stuff. 

The windlace does actually absorb some wind noise on the old cars though.