Hard Top ?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Gretna NE
Hard Top ?
Okay, I was installing new weatherstriping on the hardtop for my 66 roadster. I pulled off the outer rear lower trim pieces that border the rear window. The speciall clips were mostly rusted out, so I have ordered new ones, and proceed to clean up the area. But what kind of sealant should I put back in that area for the window/to window frame. The rebuild manual says a bead of sealant(3M# in a caulking tube). But when I removed the trim I found globs of a putty like substance poorly applied. I scraped off and cleaned up the excess putty to make it look uniform, but should I use something else. The way it was applied, makes me wonder how it is supposed to look. Is it there to keep out moisture from the top of the trim or just hold the window in place.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Derek
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Derek
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 546
Likes: 4
From: Sebring Fl
Re: Hard Top ? (ddawes)
You might want to check with Glassworks 1-724-457-7053 in Crescent Pa. These guys are the pros when it comes to restoring hardtops for Corvettes. Ask for Matt kokolis. Nice guy who will help you. Save the Wave. :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 28
From: CA central coast
Re: Hard Top ? (ddawes)
Get hold of the Corvette shop manual. According to that, use sealer 3M1170 or equivalent (shown being applied to the fiberglass lip with a large caulking gun) between the window and the fiberglass, and 3M-6699B cement between the weatherstrip and the window (shown being applied with an oil-can type pump from a pint can of sealer, but probably also comes in a squeeze tube). Those numbers may be obsolete, but probably any body shop supplier or window installer can advise you on what to substitute in those areas.
Chances are the stuff you removed was grey body caulk (known as "dum-dum") which comes in a "rope" form and was commonly used in cars of the 50's & 60's... still available today at body supply stores, but according to the shop manual it wasn't the right stuff to use. Someone probably used it to stem leaks. Generally it is used to fill in gaps, with the excess simply scraped off and the remaining caulk smoothed, just like you'd caulk tile joints in your bathroom.
Chances are the stuff you removed was grey body caulk (known as "dum-dum") which comes in a "rope" form and was commonly used in cars of the 50's & 60's... still available today at body supply stores, but according to the shop manual it wasn't the right stuff to use. Someone probably used it to stem leaks. Generally it is used to fill in gaps, with the excess simply scraped off and the remaining caulk smoothed, just like you'd caulk tile joints in your bathroom.
