TheSamba.com :: View topic - Dumb question about rope and windshield installation

Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:32 am

Getting ready to reinstall my windshield and I wanted to ask a couple of questions. First, in the diagram I put in, where does the rope go just before installation ? The other question is about using a product called Dri Lube instead of soapy water to install with. I mean I just got through cleaning and coating rust. I didn't really want anymore H2O in the procedure. What do you think .... Thanks :)

Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:45 am

In the groove in the seal where the metal lip will go - your job by pulling the rope inwards is to guide the inner rubber part of the seal over the metal lip.

Use something decent like braided polyester rope or cord - it needs to be strong but not too rough surfaced, large enough diameter to not cut into your hands, but small enough to fit in the groove.

It may need assistance from outside with pressure on the glass as well - depends on how accurate the repaired window aperture is, compared with stock. Slightly smaller and it can be a complete nightmare.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:17 pm

windex or wd-40. Wd-40 is what the auto glass shop suggested Start at the bottom center.

The rope goes where the green lip is like MikedJames posted. Use a rope that has a smoother surface on it, and not something like sisal ropes or twine.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:18 pm

I used paracord, which worked fine. The Safelight guy did too when I had it replaced again later on.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:33 pm

Put the gasket on the windshield and put the rope in the groove on the perimeter of the gasket where the metal lip will fit in. I use a 1/4" nylon rope and have seen others use larger ones. Smaller cord tends to bind up, takes more force, and takes more of a toll on one's hands.

Having an extra set of hands to manhandle the windshield is a plus.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:55 pm

The corners wii be tricky. There’ll be times you’ll need to smack on the glass with an open palm. Can’t be done alone, so you can blame your helper when the windshield cracks.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 1:06 pm

Soak the cordage in melted paraffin, once coated, it will pull in many (100s) of seals.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 3:05 pm

TDCTDI wrote: Soak the cordage in melted paraffin, once coated, it will pull in many (100s) of seals.

The problem I'm having right now is getting the rubber to go over the sharp edge of the glass. Wish they would have put a little bevel on it :cry: sorry for the bold type. Easier to read when ya need new glasses

Sun Oct 10, 2021 3:23 pm

A credit card or putty knife shoved into the groove will help get the rubber over the edge of the glass, for the first 3/4 of it you can also bend the rubber back on itself to cause the groove to spread, but that doesn't work when you reach the home stretch. Also put tape around the rubber on to the glass once it's on the glass, nothing sucks like making progress and finding the part you already did has popped off.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:14 pm

I found that wrapping the cord twice around the path worked well. One pass seemed to keep leaving many inches of the seal not getting pulled in, so I had to start all over. Paracord, two wraps, lots of spray silicone. (not the sealant silicone, but the lube silicone...)

As Jeff noted, ensure you have a helper slap the galss with open palm. A fist or solid thump easily sends crack through the glass. Blame Helper.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 5:57 pm

Wasted youth wrote: I found that wrapping the cord twice around the path worked well. One pass seemed to keep leaving many inches of the seal not getting pulled in, so I had to start all over. Paracord, two wraps, lots of spray silicone. (not the sealant silicone, but the lube silicone...)

As Jeff noted, ensure you have a helper slap the galss with open palm. A fist or solid thump easily sends crack through the glass. Blame Helper.

Please everyone. I have the right rope but I didn't even get that far because I can't get the blasted gasket to go on the glass. Getting desperate here ...I'm thinking Vasaline. Is there a special plastic tool I can buy and where would I get it ? Can't wait on eBay. Once I get the gasket on the glass I will have made a giant leap. :(

Sun Oct 10, 2021 6:10 pm

nanometer wrote: Wasted youth wrote: I found that wrapping the cord twice around the path worked well. One pass seemed to keep leaving many inches of the seal not getting pulled in, so I had to start all over. Paracord, two wraps, lots of spray silicone. (not the sealant silicone, but the lube silicone...)

As Jeff noted, ensure you have a helper slap the galss with open palm. A fist or solid thump easily sends crack through the glass. Blame Helper.

I have the right rope but I didn't even get that far because I can't get the blasted gasket to go on the glass. Is there a special tool I can buy (probably plastic) because a credit card is waay too wimpy. Once I get the gasket on the glass I will have made a giant leap. :(

Take an angle grinder and put a bevel on the edge of the glass. Wear safety glasses or a face shield for sure.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 6:20 pm

Wildthings wrote: nanometer wrote: Wasted youth wrote: I found that wrapping the cord twice around the path worked well. One pass seemed to keep leaving many inches of the seal not getting pulled in, so I had to start all over. Paracord, two wraps, lots of spray silicone. (not the sealant silicone, but the lube silicone...)

As Jeff noted, ensure you have a helper slap the galss with open palm. A fist or solid thump easily sends crack through the glass. Blame Helper.

I have the right rope but I didn't even get that far because I can't get the blasted gasket to go on the glass. Is there a special tool I can buy (probably plastic) because a credit card is waay too wimpy. Once I get the gasket on the glass I will have made a giant leap. :(

Take an angle grinder and put a bevel on the edge of the glass. Wear safety glasses or a face shield for sure.
That's a good answer. I would gently start with a sanding block and 320 grit. Even a 1/16th bevel would help. Thanks :)

Sun Oct 10, 2021 6:25 pm

Wildthings wrote:

Take an angle grinder and put a bevel on the edge of the glass. Wear safety glasses or a face shield for sure.

To each their own but I enthusiatically disagree with grinding your windshield to get the seal on.

The seal will go on. It's very helpful to have a second person because the seal is, by design, slightly smaller than the glass so it's hard to get it pulled over one corner without it pulling off the opposite corner. Get one corner on. Get the opposite diagonal corner on, then get both sides completely on, then the top and the bottom. It can be tricky!

This is the type of tool you need to open the seal while getting it over the windshield, plus lots of soapy water. Lots and lots of soapy water.

Sun Oct 10, 2021 6:28 pm

The rope used in small engine recoil starters is about the right size. I’ve used that along with Dawn dishwasher soap for years. The key to success lies in the quality of the seal.

Installing windows is one of my favorite jobs on a VW.

Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:23 am

CessnaJon wrote: The rope used in small engine recoil starters is about the right size. I’ve used that along with Dawn dishwasher soap for years. The key to success lies in the quality of the seal.

Installing windows is one of my favorite jobs on a VW.

There is something inherently satisfying as it snaps into place, isn’t there.

“ I did that”

I feel you, Jon.

Wed Oct 13, 2021 10:48 am

Find a local mobile auto glass company. I paid $150. He cracked the windshield and returned the next day with a new one. You cant go wrong

Wed Oct 13, 2021 12:16 pm

It is also worth knowing that there are different reproduction windscreen seals with different hardness of rubber. Some of them are much harder than others.

And that doing the job in the middle of summer at 70+F or inside a heated workshop is a lot easier than trying to do it around 30-50 degrees F, because cold rubber is harder.

Wed Oct 13, 2021 12:32 pm

If you have problems getting the seal over the windscreen corners warm in up in a tub of hot water . It will pull over like a treat. Make sure to position the seal properly soon as you have it on the windscreen before it cools down . Let it cool a couple of minutes it will harden slightly . But not to long so as to take advantage of its warm soften state for fitting to the van.

Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:32 pm

Start at a corner, line the split in the gasket up with the edge of the glass nearest to you & hook it on the edge, then bend the gasket backwards to splay the split open & snap it over the edge of the glass.

Use a strip of tape over that corner to hold it in place & then go to the next corner & do the same thing. Repeat until the gasket is on all four corners.

Then, find a chair to sit in & place the windshield in your lap & work the gasket along the edge (furthest from you so you can see that the edge of the gasket as you work it onto the glass. It helps to hold the gasket in place with a piece of tape every 1.5’ or so as a new gasket tends to want to slip off.) and just continue working your way around.