Don't Try This At Home?

[mxp01]

Gentlemen:

I have recently posted several times about my efforts to rehab my side windows on my 1960 BE. After my first set didn't fit well (they were non-OE), I proceeded to the next set, which was OE. After hours of polishing the metal to a high shine, I then proceeded to spend about three hours working the scratches out of one set of plastic windows with Meguiers Plast-X. I even spent money on new window felt to hold them in place better. After all of that disaster struck:

- The felt liner only fit in one of the two tracks. For reasons I can't explain the inboard track is slightly wider than the outside track. The outside track will not hold the felt and the window. There is simply not enough room.

- I got the back window into the rear track, but then the front window broke as I tried to work that one in.

- I then tried to remove the plastic out of the non-OE windows. (These had also been polished and cleaned.) Both times I tried to remove the front windows they broke (not cracked, but broke). I then removed one of the rear windows, but then discovered that this panel was simply too big to fit in the OE frame.

- To complicate matters, the rubber weather strips that surround the outer frames fit securely in 3/4ths of the frame, but just wouldn't go it the front, leading edge of the frame, so I had to glue these down with weather strip adhesive. The brand I bought did not come with a funnel shaped applicator, so I never really got the adhesive effectively down in the grooves. I held them in place as the adhesive hardened, but they have pulled apart in about 1/2 the locations.

So let me add up the costs:

- 4 buffing wheels @ $6 each.
- 4 polishing sticks @4 each.
- Weather strip adhesive @$4 a tube.
- Meguire's Plast-X @$6 a tube.
- $18 in felt strips
- 8-10 hours on the metal polishing wheel.
- 4+ hours with the Plast-X on the windows.

What do I have to show for it:

- Four polished window frames.
- Two different sized rear plastic windows.
- Plenty of surplus felt.
- No side windows that work.
- The need to get more windows (maybe cut locally) or through Moss.
- Need more and effective weatherstrip adhesive.

AAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Mike Pennell

 

[jlaird]

Moss has the windows. Or of course you can cut them from hardware stock.

The front window does not slide so the track is indeed narrower. In fact you can even see a bit of a crimp in the track that really holds it in place.

The windows can be cut with a saber saw, fine blade, low speed so it does not get hot. Then sand the edges smooth.

Felt strips can be made just fine with felt from the local material store, where wife buys sewing stuff. By the yard very wide. Very cheep.

Sure wish my frames were polished.

 

[Ohiobugeye]

You may look into buying a sheet of Lexan. It's very easy to cut and is virtually unbreakable. Lowes and Homedepot carry a similar brand.

 

[bugimike]

The only problem with Lexan is that it WILL scratch much more easily, but it IS bullet-proof!! (And it will flex quite a bit more for installation!)

 

[Sarastro]

I've been working on my sidecurtains too. Got a piece of acrylic plastic, cut out the new windows using the old as a template. Piece of cake, and if something doesn't fit perfectly, you can simply trim it a bit. The polishing, however, is not done, probably will take a few hours. So, it sounds to me like you've finished the hard part, and just need to do a bit more.

Relax, have a(nother) beer, and get back at it when you've mellowed out a bit!