TheSamba.com :: View topic - What's the trick to putting new seal on windshield??

Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:40 pm

I thought putting the window in my '73 Westy was going to be the worst part - and maybe it will be, when I get to that point. :x

In the meantime, what's the best way to install the new (oe vee dub) seal around the friggin window? I'm not seeing any posts in my searches explaining this, and I'm having zero luck. I've tried windex and wax .......

Thanks for your help! :idea:

Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:53 pm

Sit in a chair with the window in your lap, start in the middle of the bottom part of the window and just press the seal on to the window where the rubber has a split for the window to fit in it. Do not use anything on it at this point. If you look closely at the seal, you will see where the seal is put together. That is your starting point for the middle. You will have to just kinda roll the rubber on to the window. It will make your hands sore but that is how its done. Then you take some dishsoap and a piece of 1/4 cord and soak it in the dishsoap for a second or two to get it wet. Then slip it into the inside slot in the rubberall the way around the window. Cross the cord in the middle at the bottom. Have someone hold the window in place where it goes and pull the two cords at the same time to pop the rubber onto the metal strip where it sits. Then take just one side of the cord at a time, very slowly pull the cord until the window slips itself into position. Sounds hard, but, it is fairly easy.

Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:48 pm

Before you put the seal on the windshield, let the seal sit out in the sun for a few hours. It will soften up the rubber, and make it easier to fit around the windshield.

Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:00 pm

Thanks Jim - really grateful for the help.

Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:58 pm

MalibuLX3 wrote: Before you put the seal on the windshield, let the seal sit out in the sun for a few hours. It will soften up the rubber, and make it easier to fit around the windshield.

A quicker way is to pop it into the dryer for a couple of minutes. I do this to soften up upholstery before installing - warming seals before installing is strictly for amateurs. :wink:

Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:40 pm

Finally the new seal is installed. In addition to the dryer making it softer I used a plastic credit card as kind of a shoe horn to help the rubber seal over the edge of the window glass. Altogether about 2 hours in 2 sessions.
You're right, sore hands / arms. But it's done!