Off Topic but.....Windshield seal failing

[Turbogus]

Hi gang,
Taking a hiatus from working on Betty, I went to work on "The Oven" my '81 Ford Panel Van.

Got a RMR C475 radar detector for Christmas and thought it'd be time to repair the source of a small short circuit in the headliner when I found that rain was seeping in at the top of the windshield. When removing the trim during the aforementioned repair I must've disturbed the seal. The seal seems to be tar like rope material I've used when I mounted a new windshield in my '66 Chevy.
My question; is this tar like material available? by what name does it go under? and finally where can I find it?

Thanks and a lift of the lynch lid for any responses.

 

[superj]

no idea man. maybe try a window place?

 

[54cj3b]

only thing I can think of is that tire plug material that even comes close to what you described but that comes in 3 inch pieces ,have you thought of using a bead of good ole silicon

 

[Turbogus]

Tried using silicone on my old '66 Malibu, but it wouldn't bond like this stuff. It's so sticky, it's hard to get off yer fingers. I just don't know what it is, or where to get it. Going to try a glass store locally but having dealt with them before they want to do the work themselves, great for them but not so for my wallet.

 

[Turbogus]

Holy schneiglies! A local glass shop says that because the windshield is so old I have to replace the whole dang thing at between $400-800 clams. I think I'll just have to keep a sponge handy.

 

[Markinnevada]

I

Tried using silicone on my old '66 Malibu, but it wouldn't bond like this stuff. It's so sticky, it's hard to get off yer fingers. I just don't know what it is, or where to get it. Going to try a glass store locally but having dealt with them before they want to do the work themselves, great for them but not so for my wallet.

I had a similar problem with my 83 CJ windshield. It wasn't worth replacing the whole darn thing for one little leak. Cool about having a jeep though as I took off the drivers door and could reach around to the glass and push around the gasket till the wter stopped invading the cabin. I finally went to a upscale parts store, not the corner variety and asked them for something. They sold me a tub of RTV black stuff that looked like it might have originally been intended for gasket making, but this stuff dried on the outside but stayed flexiable under. I taped off the windshield, pain in the A*$$ asi you can imagine, but made cleanup a snap. I can't find the tube as I think I used it on all the windows until it ran out. Some of that stuff doesn't last in the container long anyway. Regardless it wasn't available at the local shop so try the good places, especially one that handles paint, they seem to have some interesting stuff. This went on smooth and clean, but do not get it on your fingers or tools. I'll try to find the info in the mean time. Best of luck. M

 

[tjlboise]

I used to build outdoor kitchens, and a lot of them had glass roofs. We used a product called henry's. Its basically tar, and it can get VERY messy if you aren't careful, but it does its job for sure. It comes in either a caulk style tube, or a bucket at lowes or home depot. Good luck.

 

[SteelHeadz]

I was able to get a small roll of that black seal bead for my 64 t-bird years ago from Napa. I don't know if they still sell them. Another option is a Windshield RTV flowable sealer manufactured by Permatex. This sealer works well in between the glass channel weatherstip and frame. Make sure the surface is dry and clean before application and wait 24hrs before subjecting the area to moisture and water.

 

[elevatorman]

3M makes a product simply called windshield sealant.It is available at any automotive paint supply shop. I have used it for years and it works extremely well.
If you cant find it e-mail me lv8rman a t peoplepc dot c and i can get you a tube.

 

[fireman32]

If the windshield gasket does not hold the windshield in, you can use a product by 3m called windshield soft kit. its what almost all windshields were held in by pre 1980ish. it comes in a roll you clean the windshield and frame apply the soft kit to the inside outer edges of the windshield then replace window.
The kit comes in several different sizes I recommend 3/8, and be sure to press the windshield in firmly.
Hope this helps

 

[Turbogus]

Ahhh, got a friend at another glass shop that was able to pull the old windshield and got rid of the butyl commonly used in those years using up to date sealant, hasn't leaked since.