TheSamba.com :: View topic - Windshield seal replacement

Mon Jun 05, 2017 6:24 pm

Thanks Arthur,
That's what I'm trying to decide I guess - should I spring for a different seal? (This one wasn't cheap) I was even thinking about sticking this one in the clothes dryer for a few minutes.

Whatever I do I gotta do soon. Got a trip planned in about 10 days

Sat Jul 13, 2019 8:28 pm

Hello all,

Re-visiting this topic, thoughts on using Permatex 2B as a window sealant, it is similar to Permatex Aviation used on case halves.

It has a consistency of the Henry's tar and is used to seal items like water pumps and oil pumps.

The Form-A-Gasket 2B is non-hardening and oil, gas, resistant and has a heat range of -65f to 400f.

Thanks

Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:44 pm

Any updates???

flemcadiddlehopper wrote: Now I have spent a really good chunk of time trying to read through this whole thread. Which really hasn't resulted in a clear winner of the argument of Tar, 3M sealant, clean and dry, or KY.

So I thought I would throw a new ball into the game.

When the windshield was replaced on my '58 SC, the glass shop firstly masked off the area where the seal sits (well enough to catch any mess). Then they masked the glass too, not to the edge but just enough to go under the seal, both sides of the glass. They squeezed a small amount of Marine grade silcone sealer (clear) into the window groove of the seal and and smoothed it in all the way around (basically they tried to nearly remove all of it, leaving on a thin layer) and then installed the seal onto the glass. Then they did the same for the outer seal groove, only leaving slightly more goop in the groove. Then they used the wire method of install.
Now here come the cool part. once the glass was in the bus and seated well, they cut on part of the masking tape to begin to remove it. By starting to pull the tape out from under the seal it doubled over itself and the tape removed much of the excess sealant, cleanly, and they followed where the tape was being pulled out with small roller pressing down on the seal.
Once the tape was removed there was no mess to clean up, just simply wiped away the adhesive left by the tape.

The marine Grade Silicone cures and is good for up to 60 deg C and well below freezing. It is also UV stable, not that that is an issue here.

I am not a pro at this and claim no years of experience with windshields to back me, but This was done easily, cleanly and with a product that is meant for sealing windshields in wet environments.

Gordo.

Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:48 pm

DaBraink wrote: Hello all,

Re-visiting this topic, thoughts on using Permatex 2B as a window sealant, it is similar to Permatex Aviation used on case halves.

It has a consistency of the Henry's tar and is used to seal items like water pumps and oil pumps.

The Form-A-Gasket 2B is non-hardening and oil, gas, resistant and has a heat range of -65f to 400f.

Thanks

If you go that way, would really like an update on how it goes! Only two downsides can think of:

1 Is it probably will not repel rust like the roofing tar will.

2. Is for areas that are bolted together and so might have not the flex/stickiness needed to glue rubber to body enough.

Sun Jul 14, 2019 6:35 pm

As far as dealing with rust, or water, it is made for sealing water and fuels, however, I have never used it in an application that would require "filling gaps" only either to bare metal or gasketed surfaces.

I like the fact that it is non hardening and use it quite often on the large diesel applications and have had good success there.

If I do go with that I will let you guys know how it holds up. It is quite tacky and does not run. I will probably POR 15 the channel and seal lip as an added layer for rust.

Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:45 pm

Lots of good information here. Thank you all for sharing. Here is my go at it:

First cut, from inside, the old rubber:

Then wire brush loose the (very minimal in my case) surface rust and coat with Por 15

Happy new year everyone and more photos of the install tomorrow

Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:43 pm

Final steps. Glass and rubber from Wolfsburg West. Good to support the people who support so many of our events.

Warm up the rubber so it’s easy to work with. I’ve heard of people putting it into a bucket of warm water. In this case, I used sunshine.

The pen hack was a great idea. Made the nylon cord go into the rubber channel very easily.

50-50 dawn soap and water into a spray bottle. Use liberally to lubricate. Set the window assembly in place with strings on the inside. Know that the string ends overlap inside the rubber channel.

Helper applying consistent pressure from the outside. Pull each end of the string a few inches at a time working your way towards the top.

Whole thing should suck into place and in this case, success times two

Final step when all is dry, a nice bead of this stuff under the rubber from the outside.

I hope this helps anybody that is ready to try this. Patience and preparation is the key.

Sun Jan 05, 2020 6:35 pm

Nice work!! :D

Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:34 pm

With the Henry’s 108 out of production does anyone have a similar product they could recommend as a sealant?

Sat Mar 20, 2021 3:28 pm

Appears that Fuyao glass is made in the USA by a Chinese outfit. I couldn't find it listed on the Wolfsburg West website. Anybody?

Edit: I did find a listing at West Coast Metric, but no info regarding supplier:

https://www.westcoastmetric.com/i-22968476-211-101e.html

Sat Oct 26, 2024 10:36 am

Anyone know where to buy are have a tube of this? I can't find it anywhere?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=271108
Yes I have placed a Want Ad.

Sat Oct 26, 2024 11:40 am

BarryL wrote: Anyone know where to buy are have a tube of this? I can't find it anywhere?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=271108
Yes I have placed a Want Ad.

You are looking for flanged heat boxes?????? :?

Sat Oct 26, 2024 12:06 pm

Eric&Barb wrote: BarryL wrote: Anyone know where to buy are have a tube of this? I can't find it anywhere?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=271108
Yes I have placed a Want Ad.

You are looking for flanged heat boxes?????? :?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2711084 :wink:

Sat Oct 26, 2024 1:19 pm

House wrote: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2711084 :wink:

Maybe here:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/3m-auto-beddin...10551529-P

If not would try your local auto body supply shop or at worst your local auto body shop for such, even if from another manufacture.

Sat Oct 26, 2024 1:30 pm

Here is a CLR product:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355929555211?mkevt=1&...a7ebd06f11

Sat Oct 26, 2024 1:44 pm

Might have to try others
C.R. Laurence CRL7708 CRL Windshield and Body Sealant

I got the last tube of 3m in my town when I did my windshields. However, ask at auto paint stores or industrial finish suppliers to smoke out a random tube, or at least see what they are using. They try to sell you the windshield glue, ask someone else...

Sat Oct 26, 2024 2:11 pm

I recently used a Permatex clear silicone windshield sealant from my local AutoZone, small tube about $7. Worked just fine with a new WCM hoop type windshield seal (no molded corners) cut the applicator tip on a 45 degree angle close to the tip and ran a bead between the seal and the glass and the chassis and the seal both after fitting the windshield in the chassis.

Sat Oct 26, 2024 6:20 pm

Sheesh Guys, thanks for fixing my post and steering me to places.

I have shopped for the 3M 'till I'm not shopping anymore. I've been to Auto Glass installation shops too. I researched the CRL types and got those figured out.

Sun Oct 27, 2024 11:27 am

Pulled the Westy into the garage for redo of leaky windshields.

Progress report: Cut and pulled outer rubber to see why it leaked. I didn't cut too deep as I didn't want to cut into good paint.

I installed these back in 2008. The sealant had failed completely, dried out and turned to dusty clumps. The rubber was still amazingly strong.

The inside of the windshield rubber tore away after a shallow slice all the way around. Then I merely put the glass away to clean later.

Using soft scrapers I cleaned the 3M off then wiped with Coleman Fuel.

Inside rust is minimal and will be ok once sealed by rubber. Outside I ground the bad rust with carbide cutter, masked, then filled with marine epoxy.

Final sand with Fingernail Sanding Stick Pieces.

Nothing shows beyond the seal lip except one tiny spot so no pains necessary. The marine epoxy is bullet-proof on its own.

Now to find some goo and reinstall with Lind's Molded Corner Seals.

Sun Oct 27, 2024 12:02 pm

R/C planes are cool and all, but do tell us more about that JATO-powered bike on the wall.