windshield molding install question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
windshield molding install question
Actually...2 questions.
1. Is there any type of sealer or filler that goes under the header molding to fill in or seal the open cavity of the header panel?
2. What is the proper sequence of install of the moldings? Does the small, thin upper ws molding go on forst, then the header moldings, then side?
Finally finished my windshield frame project, and getting ready to install the moldings.
Tackled the project myself...scary...but came out pretty good.
before and after:
1. Is there any type of sealer or filler that goes under the header molding to fill in or seal the open cavity of the header panel?
2. What is the proper sequence of install of the moldings? Does the small, thin upper ws molding go on forst, then the header moldings, then side?
Finally finished my windshield frame project, and getting ready to install the moldings.
Tackled the project myself...scary...but came out pretty good.
before and after:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: York PA
1st off that was a big job and it looks like it came out ok - congrats!
2nd it appears this is big gray area as I asked a simular question some time ago and got no response. I was only replacing the weatherstripping but as this piece came off and another followed and then another well before you know it.
What I have gathered is this. All the photos Ive seen show the top windshields trim piece goes on first. The side pieces then fit over top of it. The side pieces are screwed into the frame via (4) screws through the weatherestripping. Like 6footer said caulk should be used but I am still torn about using silicon. I have yet to caulk the trim pieces between them and the glass because I am still not convinced silicon is the way to go. I think a rubber butyl is a better choice but I havn't tried to find it yet to buy it.
Thats all I know and congrats again
chuck
2nd it appears this is big gray area as I asked a simular question some time ago and got no response. I was only replacing the weatherstripping but as this piece came off and another followed and then another well before you know it.
What I have gathered is this. All the photos Ive seen show the top windshields trim piece goes on first. The side pieces then fit over top of it. The side pieces are screwed into the frame via (4) screws through the weatherestripping. Like 6footer said caulk should be used but I am still torn about using silicon. I have yet to caulk the trim pieces between them and the glass because I am still not convinced silicon is the way to go. I think a rubber butyl is a better choice but I havn't tried to find it yet to buy it.
Thats all I know and congrats again
chuck
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,696
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Don't know about the sealer, but the side trim pieces go on first followed by the top trim piece. A little fiddly to get them aligned properly, especially if you've removed the top clips to do your repair.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
NEVER use Silicone on steel body parts - it WILL make the rust problem worse quite fast.
Butyl and Urethane are the only Sealer/Adhesive compounds to use. The AIM provides painful detail - but that's what I followed when I did mine.
I did a writeup (which is also on corvettefaq.com under Exterior) that you can find <Here>
.
Hope this helps!
.
Butyl and Urethane are the only Sealer/Adhesive compounds to use. The AIM provides painful detail - but that's what I followed when I did mine.
I did a writeup (which is also on corvettefaq.com under Exterior) that you can find <Here>
.
Hope this helps!
.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
Since the uprights were acutally pretty sound, I cut out the bad sections and welded in patches, welded in new corners and header, and thanks to Kevin at Vettesbydesign, welded in a really nice lower section he was able to get to me. Luckily, the rest of the cage was ok. It was scary to start, but once I got iinto it, it went ok. I am happy with the results.
My big question is the thin upper molding (not the header molding)...does it go on first onto the clips, or does the header moldings go on first. I know the sides go on over the top thin molding. I hope you know what I mean.
Froom the write up from PWS, it looks like the header moldings are on before the ones that go around the ws itself. Is that correct.
My big question is the thin upper molding (not the header molding)...does it go on first onto the clips, or does the header moldings go on first. I know the sides go on over the top thin molding. I hope you know what I mean.
Froom the write up from PWS, it looks like the header moldings are on before the ones that go around the ws itself. Is that correct.
Last edited by ctrain22; Mar 13, 2007 at 04:18 PM. Reason: forgot to ask further question
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
Paul,
That is a great write up on the windshield. Helped tremendously. Where did you get the foam rubber insulation strip that goes bewtween the inner and outter pillar moldings? I can't find it with any of or vendors.
That is a great write up on the windshield. Helped tremendously. Where did you get the foam rubber insulation strip that goes bewtween the inner and outter pillar moldings? I can't find it with any of or vendors.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Good Work!
I had a similar situation as yours and repaired mine myself as well. Keep this in the back of your mind though, when installing the windshield there are "spacers" that need to be placed between the windshield and the frame. Or an extra thick bead of the windshield adhesive needs to be installed. If one of the two of these isn't done, you will have about a 1/4"-3/8" gap between the windshield and molding. I found this out the hard way. I hope I explained this clearly but if not I can e-mail you a couple of pics to clarify.
ltlevil
I had a similar situation as yours and repaired mine myself as well. Keep this in the back of your mind though, when installing the windshield there are "spacers" that need to be placed between the windshield and the frame. Or an extra thick bead of the windshield adhesive needs to be installed. If one of the two of these isn't done, you will have about a 1/4"-3/8" gap between the windshield and molding. I found this out the hard way. I hope I explained this clearly but if not I can e-mail you a couple of pics to clarify.
ltlevil
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Yes.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: York PA
Hey Pws69.
I just looked at the writeup you did, Very Nice! Question about the Butyl. You mention both a butyl tape + a sealer? Next time you go out to look at your car or if you remember - what did you use between the stainless windshiled trim pieces and the glass? And yes she is purty?
chuck
I just looked at the writeup you did, Very Nice! Question about the Butyl. You mention both a butyl tape + a sealer? Next time you go out to look at your car or if you remember - what did you use between the stainless windshiled trim pieces and the glass? And yes she is purty?
chuck
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Nice Job! I recently did similar work, although my birdcage wasn't as bad. I used the writeup that is mentioned, helped A LOT. Definitely use the spacers, Butyl tape with urethane on each side should bring it to exactly the right height. I installed the windshield, then used only the top piece of trim to hold it in place. It is sitting that way now, working on the engine. Planning on using RTV between the trim molding and the glass, should fill the area nicely. Also, noticed that the top end clips may have to be tweaked to get the molding perfect. Good luck. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Hey Pws69.
I just looked at the writeup you did, Very Nice! Question about the Butyl. You mention both a butyl tape + a sealer? Next time you go out to look at your car or if you remember - what did you use between the stainless windshiled trim pieces and the glass? And yes she is purty?
chuck
I just looked at the writeup you did, Very Nice! Question about the Butyl. You mention both a butyl tape + a sealer? Next time you go out to look at your car or if you remember - what did you use between the stainless windshiled trim pieces and the glass? And yes she is purty?
chuck
If I understand you correctly, nothing between any of the three pieces that touch the glass and the glass itself! That's about the only place that doesn't have anything there. The seal is actually at the glass edges and where the molding attaches to the w/s frame.
Does that answer your question?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Nice Job! I recently did similar work, although my birdcage wasn't as bad. I used the writeup that is mentioned, helped A LOT. Definitely use the spacers, Butyl tape with urethane on each side should bring it to exactly the right height. I installed the windshield, then used only the top piece of trim to hold it in place. It is sitting that way now, working on the engine. Planning on using RTV between the trim molding and the glass, should fill the area nicely. Also, noticed that the top end clips may have to be tweaked to get the molding perfect. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
NEVER use Silicone on steel body parts - it WILL make the rust problem worse quite fast.
Butyl and Urethane are the only Sealer/Adhesive compounds to use. The AIM provides painful detail - but that's what I followed when I did mine.
I did a writeup (which is also on corvettefaq.com under Exterior) that you can find <Here>
.
Hope this helps!
.
Butyl and Urethane are the only Sealer/Adhesive compounds to use. The AIM provides painful detail - but that's what I followed when I did mine.
I did a writeup (which is also on corvettefaq.com under Exterior) that you can find <Here>
.
Hope this helps!
.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: York PA
thankschuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
If I remember correctly, no - they touch. I'll look later when I get home (hopefully will remember!) and if I am wrong, I'll correct this post.
