Windshield Leak

[fdlrc]

Encode70D: so do you use glazing/bedding compound in the glass channel when you wrap the seal around it? What have you done in the past?

[mustang6984]

Careful Encode...you keep talking about your success...and after I get settled here in Branson...I may load my Courier into the car trailer and come visit! LOL!!! Glass and I have NEVER been friends! And watching a master work...is worth the drive!

[RICH MUISE]

it's Ecode70D not encode

[mustang6984]

 

[Ecode70D]

Thank you Rich for noticing that incorrect user name

fdlrc and mustang6984
  I had been professionally restoring antique vehicles for over 50 years.   However, do to family illness I was forced to give up the business,  used car license and dealer plates about 4-5 years ago.  I honestly can't tell you how many windshields that I have installed over the years.  To answer the question about the the sealer that I have used on 57 58 Fords, I  do not use anything but liquid soap like dish detergent on both grooves of the gasket.  Correct or incorrect, I don't have leaks and that's what works for me.
   However I am very suspect of what kind of offshore mystery WASTE MATERIAL that  the new windshield seals are made from.
   For me, the old windshield didn't leak and were very simple to install.
   One more trick that I do is to lay the windshield in place without the seal and center it as perfectly as possible and put some masking tape  across the top or bottom edge, then cut it with a razor.   Then when installing it with the seal on it, this will put it in the correct location.  Having it off center could keep it from sealing correctly.    Jay

[fdlrc]

Thanks for reply Jay.

[mustang6984]

I see how you became so proficient! Thanks.

[fdlrc]

Jay, let me ask a follow-up question: What would you do if you did have a leak? Mine was installed with soapy water solution and new seal. I will have to pop it out to fix a trim issue, then put it right back.

[Ecode70D]

     I still have my 57 Ford on which I installed the front and rear windshields with soap the way that I mentioned.  That was after I installed the headliner.  It was at least about 5-6 years ago.  If it develops a leak, I'm going to have to come up with some way to clean out the soap residue in both rubber grooves . Then I would be searching for some kind of something to squeeze into both of the grooves on the rubber seal.  I have no idea what kind of sealer I would use.   

     Don't forget that with windshields, (like the roof on a house) where we see the water inside is usually not where the leak is starting from.  That's why I would clean the whole thing inside and outside as much as possible first.

[John Palmer]

I would ad, that you would want to closely inspect, clean, possibly metal straighten the pinch weld seam.  It might even need some filling and smoothing with panel bond.

many years ago, I once saw a glass guy fix a seal leak with a special caulking gun.  It had some kind of butyl rubber sealant, and had a very small steel tube that fit under the "lifted" seal.  It looked completely original after repaired.

Lastly, with todays reproduction seals, they are NOT exactly like original parts.  The fit, and the pliability are NOT like the old new parts.  I like using NOS parts, but finding a new old stock rubber windshield seal folded/kinked in a box for 60 plus years is not a solution either.

I just pulled a new USA made, Dennis Carpenter (Early Bronco) windshield seal out of a sealed box and it's incorrectly assembled.  Nice quality, but the wrong size. 

If it was easy, you would see old cars everywhere.

[Ecode70D]

X2 What John Palmer stated.
The job is only going to be as good as the preparation before installing the glass.

[mustang6984]

Just like paint prep...

[Ecode70D]

Just like paint prep...

Exactly!!!!

[djfordmanjack]

Those cars were very quickly assembled and metal finished in the factory, since they were reasonably priced everyday cars. there are a lot of areas on the windshield area body seams that need dressed or even welded up. Reading from old production reviews, windshield leaks were also a big issue when these cars were leaving the factory and there was even a 'rain' booth each new car had to pass before final assembly/delivery.

[Jeff Norwell]

Found this thread after a search... excellent info... I am ready to install the front and rear glass and am using the original rubbers that the car had before disassembly.
They are in excellent shape and have retained a memory of when they were in last.
I have spoken to Jay several times on this and I am ready to move forward.This is that last piece of the puzzle.


Glass is now 3x the cost... so.... I am a a bit nervous.