How to install Windshield, Windows, Window seals, Glass FAQ

[jarred8715]

So I started a project removed several broken windows cleaned the metal underneath and repainted... I had a lot of trouble finding tricks for reinstallation of the windows but after much searching I found some tricks and would like to share them.

First I took the old windows out this is what I found.

After Cleaning it up This is what it looked like, I used a little aut etch to get rid of the last little bit of rust in the pitted area.

When it comes to reinstalling the windows place the new seal all around the window. Once the seal is in place take a small diameter rope and place it in the gap that will go over the pinch weld as shown below.

Once the step above is completed take the window and press it in place making sure the window is in as far as possible. once in place go inside and pull on the rope gently and it will pull the rubber right up over the pinchweld after the rope has been pulled and the rubber is over the pinch weld go back outside and gently push the window into place.

I hope this helps all the rookies like myself if there is any questions feel free to ask I will do the best to help.

[Daverham]

Great tip. Thanks for posting. You nailed it. I've done a few windows myself and would add just a couple notes from my personal experience:

- It is helpful to have a friend pushing gently from the outside
- If you use a thinner rope/string, you can wrap it around twice, which will give you an extra pass to make sure the rubber is fully over the lip. I've only needed it once, all other times, one pass was enough.
- It's nice to lubricate the string a bit. I've heard of using water and I've heard of vaseline. Not sure about the long term implications of getting that stuff trapped in there under the rubber though. I used water once. And old bike shop trick is to use hair spray when installing handle grips (it's wet at first, and evaporated quickly). Why lubricate? If you don't there is a chance to rip the rubber with the string (pull very slowly), making it slick reduces this chance. I bet Silicone lubricant is the right answer.

[Westfabulous]

Excellent. This is what the Samba is all about: learning, teaching, and as in the case of this example, tutoring. I wish there were more tutorials. Thanks for taking the time.
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[jarred8715]

I like the tip for a smaller rope twice would have been nice for one of the windows I installed...

I agree a friend would have been nice.

I used a little bit of soapy water for the back window as it seemed more difficult toget in after soaping it up I slid right in

[EZ Gruv]

I submitted this to the FAQ sticky.
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Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

[Tcash]

url=http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5541791#5541791]How to install Windshield, Windows, Window seals, Glass[/url]

First off thank you for the post jarred8715!!!!

Art at my church owns a glass shop and he gave me a few tips.

Helpful Tools

Tool to install rope in groove that goes on pinch weld. I made one out of a sealant nozzle

1. Put seal on window no lube, for a professional look make a mark in bottom center of glass with a felt pen and alyn seam where they joind seal ends. On some seals this is quite apparent.
2. Lube groove rope goes in. (Silicone spray is what glass shop uses)(Soapy water)(Do not use petroleum based lube attacks rubber
3. Install rope in groove that goes over the pinch weld using the handy little tool. Starting from the bottom and ending at the bottom. Leaving about one foot tails. Tape one foot tails to glass so they do not fall down when you place window. (Thick nylon rope if you have a helper)(Thin Flat nylon rope wrapped twice if installing by yourself)
4. Lube rope and the surface of the seal that is going to be pulled threw.
5. Lube window opening on the outside of the car.
6. Place window in opening with bottom groove over pinch weld. Push window in until it is fully seated all the way around. No gaps between seal and body. It should look like it is installed.
7. Starting from the bottom pull the rope At a 90 deg. angle perpendicular to the glass if you don't you can slice the seal. Working both ropes evenly from the bottom to the top having a helper apply pressure to the area you are working in from the outside.
8. Using a curved tool pull the lip on the outside out, all the way around.
9. Using a rubber mallet or the palm of your hand strike the seal(Not the glass on the outside, all the way around. Your not hammering your using dead blows in order to vibrate the seal into place, to fully seat it.
10. Clean the glass applying the cleaner to the rag not the window. Some glass cleaners dry out the seal. Detailers trick.
11. Treat seal occasionally with Glycerin (Rite Aid) to keep it from drying out.

Edits in blue

Hope this helps Tcash

[secretsubmariner]

Bravo! Bravo!
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-Tony
ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ
1978 Champagne Edition Bus FI
1970 Auto Fastback FI

[Daverham]

Here are the BEFORE, DURING and AFTER pics of my rear window seal which I did a few months ago, using the process described above. Very easy. I found some surface rust inside there. Wire-wheeled it, rust converter, primer, painted and feathered with 000 steel wool.

It has now proven itself leak-proof and my mattress is no longer getting damp. Much better!

Before:

During (same on both sides, was leaking):

After:

[seventyfo]

A couple years ago I paid a pro with 30+ years installing auto glass to install a bay windshield for me. He used Windex/glass cleaner, spraying liberally during installation. I've been doing the same since and haven't had any problems with any of my glass installations.
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85 Vanagon GL Westy GW 2.2 (Rebuilt by YT)


"I don't know you well enough to care about your comments". Watkins Cravey

[Tcash]

[MGBBob80]

Excellent post and very timely for a project of mine. Really like the bic pen tube idea!
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Cheers,
Bob

1978 Type 2 Transporter. 2L engine (engine code GE), Fuel Injection, 4-speed manual transmission.His name is Buddy.

"I reserve the right to be better tomorrow than I am today."

[brently88]

The pen tube would have definitely saved my fingers from going raw trying to get rope in that seam. Does anyone have tips in putting a new rubber gasket on the vent windows, and putting them back in, then getting the bigger stationary window in?

[1967250s]

There was just a thread on the vent window rubber, don't have link, but search should get it. Definitley get the large window in before putting in the vent frame.
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'72 Elm Green Deluxe

[Tcash]

[dirtkeeper]

[babysnakes]

^^^^^^ Yep! Vent first then big glass.

[d-rick]

Local VW shop just got a create of 10 new bay window windshields.
I picked mine up this afternoon and had it in with the hr of getting home. Even got my pregnant wife to help push a little on it while I strung it in


$125 for the glass
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1959 mango-trailerbus
1962 single cab *1/2
1966 13 window
1967 panel/camper
1968 cig-panel *1/2
1968 passenger bus *1/2
1969 beetle
1969 dormobile
1978 sage green Westy
1990 DoKa
2002 Golf TDI

[FlatfourFrenchy]

Hey d-rick, I just got one of those windows out of Tom's crateful and my question is, where is the best place for the seam? The rest of my windows are all over thet place. I at least want one of them correct.
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1971 Tin Top Westy Campmobile 70

[sjbartnik]

Here's how they did it back in the factory!

Jump to 2:55 in the video.


Link

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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[surf_erk]

Quick question, trying to replace the seals myself. How do you take out the window?
Thanks guys!