rear hatch drain mod???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,268
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu, HI
rear hatch drain mod???
I thought I saw a little kit in one of my catalogs but I can't find it.
Something about drilling a hole and installing a little hose to keep water out of the passage between the glass hatch and car free of water???
Something about drilling a hole and installing a little hose to keep water out of the passage between the glass hatch and car free of water???
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Waterford MI
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (vvv90)
If you do a search in this or C4 general you will find that the concensus is that, while it may work, the possibility of causing harm to the body panel far out weighs any gain. The gas filler drain modification is another story!
:cheers:
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Lewisville Texas
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (T1Kilr)
There is a kit. I ordered one from Mid America a few years ago but could not bring myself to drill holes in the car. It's still in the garage somewhere.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (Thumper)
The best hatch drain mod is a turkey baster :lol:
Actually I use a large syringe with a long plastic tip but the turkey baster works just fine also.
No way I would drill 2 holes in my Vette for something a 99 cent turkey baster and 42 seconds takes care of just fine.......
Actually I use a large syringe with a long plastic tip but the turkey baster works just fine also.
No way I would drill 2 holes in my Vette for something a 99 cent turkey baster and 42 seconds takes care of just fine.......
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (bill mcdonald)
I think this is a good mod. The hatch area holds water at the front corners. I've never had an inside leak, but the water draining down the sides of the car makes a mess. The drain holes are inconspicuous and easy to make.
The kit from MidAmerica has good instructions. Just follow them. You can eyeball the hole placement near the inside corner. The exact spot is not critical, so near the corner is good enough. I would add two things: 1) use duct tape to cover the paint of the hoop so the drill chuck does not scratch it. 2) use silicone cement to secure the grommets. After the grommets are in place, close the hatch and use a pencil to wedge the grommets down until the silicone is dry.
Only maintenance is a pipe cleaner once a year to make sure the tube is clear.
The kit from MidAmerica has good instructions. Just follow them. You can eyeball the hole placement near the inside corner. The exact spot is not critical, so near the corner is good enough. I would add two things: 1) use duct tape to cover the paint of the hoop so the drill chuck does not scratch it. 2) use silicone cement to secure the grommets. After the grommets are in place, close the hatch and use a pencil to wedge the grommets down until the silicone is dry.
Only maintenance is a pipe cleaner once a year to make sure the tube is clear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,203
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (tkrussell)
I use BLUE painters long tape to tape the seams of the hatch before I wash it. It comes right off after being wet and the channel stays dry. no harm to paint at all. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Re: rear hatch drain mod???
Don't do it! Drilling will only cause problems down the road when the seal leaks. Just take the time to remove the water as others have said, use a turkey baster.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,857
Likes: 2
From: Ignore this post
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (vvv90)
Did this before I got car painted, easy to do. I bent the edges of the grommit to fit the "V" groove it goes in. I used a small amout of 2 part universal body adhesive, solid as a rock
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (vvv90)
I've got one on my work bench. Been there about 13mos. Something keeps coming up :mad
If you do a search of the archives you won't find 1 derogatory remark from someone that has it installed.
All warnings of disaster come from someone who doesn't have it.
If you do a search of the archives you won't find 1 derogatory remark from someone that has it installed.
All warnings of disaster come from someone who doesn't have it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (John Row)
Did it to mine and it probably was the easiest, most instnatly rewarding mod I've done to it!!!
It's a fiberglass car...what are you going to cause by drilling two hole????
It's a fiberglass car...what are you going to cause by drilling two hole????
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock,Austin, Texas
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (Bodhi)
The best hatch drain mod is a turkey baster :lol:
Actually I use a large syringe with a long plastic tip but the turkey baster works just fine also.
No way I would drill 2 holes in my Vette for something a 99 cent turkey baster and 42 seconds takes care of just fine.......
Actually I use a large syringe with a long plastic tip but the turkey baster works just fine also.
No way I would drill 2 holes in my Vette for something a 99 cent turkey baster and 42 seconds takes care of just fine.......
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,594
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (Shylor)
Don't do it! Drilling will only cause problems down the road when the seal leaks. Just take the time to remove the water as others have said, use a turkey baster.
I installed them 10 years ago to this day I still have not had a problem. Every Great once in a while they get clogged, but nothing a piece of wire won't cure.
I say go for it, if you are afraid to drill the holes, I will do it for you vvv90 :D
:cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (cheap vet)
.... easy to do. I bent the edges of the grommit to fit the "V" groove it goes in. I used a small amout of 2 part universal body adhesive, solid as a rock
Mine's been installed for 5+ years. No problems.
:steering:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 18,226
Likes: 0
From: I live in my own little world
NC Events Coordinator
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (John Row)
If you do a search of the archives you won't find 1 derogatory remark from someone that has it installed...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 437
Likes: 2
From: Georgetown Maine
Re: rear hatch drain mod??? (vvv90)
This is a great mod. Just follow the directions and you will have no problem. To all you turkey basters: stop wasting your time this mod does nothing but good, stop being afraid, I'm not even that mechincally inclined and my install came out great with no problems, try it you'll like it!!!;) :D
