Preventing Windshield and Birdcage Rust
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
Preventing Windshield and Birdcage Rust
The birdcage and windshield frame on my car are in good shape and don't have the rust issues. Is there anything that can be done to keep it from ever becoming a problem?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
It seems to me that improper windshield installation can be a big cause of rusting out. think about it, the design of the ss windshield trim is not water tight. Water will get onto the A pillar posts and to the upper windshield header. I think what happens is when a windshield is replaced, folks goober up these areas with sealant thinking that it is going to keep water out. But it probably traps more water and causes wet areas which eventually rust out. Watching a video on classic car windshield installations, a very clean channel of sealant should be used to just seal the windshield, leaving a channel for water to drain moisture, not trap it. I think once the windshield is installed and before the trim is applied a thin layer of LPS 3 could be applied to the exposed pinch weld and therefore give some protection from moisture. LPS 3 is a thick waxy rust preventative material, available in spray cans from grainger.com.
Or you could live in the desert like I do and never wash your car. Just use detail spray and micro fiber towels to keep it clean. LOL.
Or you could live in the desert like I do and never wash your car. Just use detail spray and micro fiber towels to keep it clean. LOL.
Last edited by Sunstroked; Nov 3, 2014 at 10:21 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
Since I live quite a bit north of you in GA, I deal with rust all the time.
When I pulled my interior out,I found small amounts of rust at the top of the birdcage around the window area, and a lot of rust down at the bottom near the engine mount. Once I cleaned all the rust out with a wire wheel/brush I painted everything with a rust paint and once it dried, I sprayed inside the a-pillars with lots of oil (rust check in a can actually).
I also coated all the lower kick areas with lots of sprayed oil. This will keep it from getting any more moisture in there to create more rust.
I am planning on working my frame this spring with a wire wheel and painting the frame section by section. Once the section is complete, I am going to be spraying oil inside the frame to make sure no moisture can just sit in there and rust.
Ken
When I pulled my interior out,I found small amounts of rust at the top of the birdcage around the window area, and a lot of rust down at the bottom near the engine mount. Once I cleaned all the rust out with a wire wheel/brush I painted everything with a rust paint and once it dried, I sprayed inside the a-pillars with lots of oil (rust check in a can actually).
I also coated all the lower kick areas with lots of sprayed oil. This will keep it from getting any more moisture in there to create more rust.
I am planning on working my frame this spring with a wire wheel and painting the frame section by section. Once the section is complete, I am going to be spraying oil inside the frame to make sure no moisture can just sit in there and rust.
Ken
