Windshield Glazing Rubber

Hey

Does anyone know if this is a hard or difficult job to replace the black rubber around the windshield? Mine is starting to dry out and showing big cracks in the corners.

Can it be as simple as popping the old one out and popping a new one in?

Thanks

RJS

In a word, NO. Once you break the glass and buy a new one, you could have paid a glass company to do the job for you. Involves roping the rubber strip and pulling out the rope while pushing around the perimeter of the w/s. I've never done it, but unless you have done it before, I would recommend a few buck spent at a autoglass company. I tried on a TR3, which is totally different, and should have been easier, but ended up spend 150.00 to get the glass company to do it.

hmmm...OK. Just to be clear, my windshield is fine. Just the rubber glazing is cracking. Either way, sounds like a bit of experience would be helpful

Bob

take some pics

RJS said:

hmmm...OK. Just to be clear, my windshield is fine. Just the rubber glazing is cracking. Either way, sounds like a bit of experience would be helpful

Bob

Click to expand...

What Kleykamp is saying is that in order to replace the rubber, you have to remove the windscreen. He's assuming you will break it trying to do that.

We've taken out the windscreens at our Triumph tech sessions a few times, and if your careful and have a few hands helping it can be done without a catastrophe. First you remove the "chrome" stripping that goes around the rubber. I believe that's put in there to lock in the glass to the rubber. Anyway, you can then push the glass out from the dash side.I seen guys take there shoes off and push with their feet while sitting in the passenger seat. Or, better yet would be to cut away the front part of the rubber and then remove it...much less anxiety. Putting it back in is a little trickier, and at least three guys make this go easier. You will need some soapy water and a fat string to go around the outside groove of the rubber. Install the new rubber on the windscreen with the seam at the bottom in the middle. Slather on some soapy water and wrap the string in the groove. Have two guys place the screen in position feeding the ends of the string inside so you can pull on it while they are pushing the assembly against the frame. If all goes well, the string will pull in the rubber. Then you can fit the "chrome" plastic thingies and Windex the glass.

Or you can send it out...but what fun is that!

I installed a new windscreen on my Spitfire. It's not impossible, just take your time and follow the directions that are listed on many web sites. You will need an extra pair of hands to push down on the glass as you pull the cord/gasket over lip on the windscreen frame. Also some sites will tell you to coat the cord with vaseline, or some other oil based product. Clean up is messy. I found one article that recommended KY jelly. It worked as recommended and since it is a water based product clean up was easy. Good luck.

Correct...I was indicating that the odds of breaking the glass during the process are pretty high.

I disagree about the potential of breaking the glass. Once forewarned and reminded that you are working with glass you automatically and subliminally make adjustments on your use of force and the process goes well but requires helpers as mentioned above.

Read up on the process and buy the correct materials. Below I list the basic steps that I take.
Buy a new seal and lockstrip. Since you are not going to re-use the old seal, pull out the old losckstrip and carefully use a case cutter (shop knife) to cut the rubber around the edge of the glass.
With the rubber cut, place a folded blanket on the bonnet and have a helper push the windshield outward from the top while you support and catch it from outside. Place the removed glass on the blanket then lift it out of the way so you can thoroughly clean the body opening on the car.
Clean the glass. Remove all residue from its perimeter.
Place the new rubber around the glass.
Have available a long piece of lineman's cord. (Braided nylon rope about 5/32" to 3/16" in diameter... like lawnmower starter pull cord). Do not use "string".
Wrap the lineman's cord around the perimeter of the new rubber seal and overlap the ends of the cord by at least 2 feet at the bottom.
Tape the cord to the rubber.
Lube the body opening and the perimeter of the rubber seal with K-Y Jelly.
You and your helper place the glass/seal/cord assembly over the body opening resting the bottom edge on first.
Remove the tape holding the cord in place, then gently lower the glass/seal/cord fully against the body opening.
Have your helper apply firm downward/inward pressure to the seal in the vicinity of the first cord you are going to pull. They should have their other hand against the glass/seal at the top just to prevent it from sliding upward.
Grab one cord end and pull inward causing the seal to roll over the body opening and into the car. Wearing heavy gloves helps so you can wrap the cord around your hand without it cutting into you.
Pull about a foot of cord inward, then stop and pull the other cord in about a foot.
Alternate that way, working your way around the perimeter as your assistant continues to push inward where the cord is being pulled.
Eventually you will work your way all around the perimeter.
When done, inspect the seal inside and out to make sure it is oriented correctly and completely over the body opening. Use plastic utensils to manipulate any seal sections that aren't right.
Wash the glass thoroughly to remove all K-Y residue.
If you want to use sealant, do not use the black goo you can buy in caulk tubes.
Buy Permatex flowable windshield sealant. Use your plastic utensils to lift the edges of the rubber and work a thin bead of the clear Permatex underneath. When you release the rubber the excess will squirt out and you can remove it with tissue or a paper towel.
Fit the lockstrip and you are done.
Spitfires are more complicated because they have some chrome trim that must be attached to the rubber seal before fitting to the car body but the procedure is largely the same.

Treat this like any other automotive repair you wish to undertake. Read up on the methods and be mentally prepared. This does not have to be any more challenging than a mechanical repair. It is certainly less daunting and risky than working on gearbox or rebuilding an engine.

Great "How To" Doug. The GT6 was my first ever windshield install. Having success, I've since put in a new the windshield and back window in my '55 Ford pickup too.
I had the help of two friends on the outside while I pulled the cord. We used Armor All as the lubricant and pressed the plastic trim in as we drew the inside seal lip over the windshield frame flange. Other than those two differences, everything else was done as Doug described.
My opinion - Do it yourself - it's really a satisfying project.

The GT6 was my first windshield but I have installed front and rear glass in several cars now as well as putting rear glass in hardtops. As Jay said, it is very satisfying to do this yourself. Like every other aspect of repair or restoration, go into it informed and prepared and you will have good results.

Thanks Doug, I've had a seal for quite a while and those instructions will help a bunch.

All,

Thanks for the excellent info and instructions. I was wondering if this was something simple I could bang out on a Saturday morning but, it appears more involved than that. Thus, I'll add it to my formal project list and get to it in due course.

I will hang on to these instructions though.

Thanks

Bob