The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Glass setting tape help

What is the correct thickness of glass setting tape for the door windows of a '49 with a steel frame around the glass?

Depends on the thickness of the glass. Sometimes reproduction glass is different than original and you probably can't find, or want NOS tape. I just used black RTV in the channel and pushed the glass into the frame and screwed the bottom on. Wait for the RTV to completely cure and clean up excess with a razor blade. If you try to clean up wet RTV you will make a mess.

I replaced the vent window on my 55.1, the glass and tape came from Jim Carter. One layer of tape seemed too thin and two layers was too tight.

I followed the recommendation from the list that said the tape swells with oil so I used one layer and oiled the glass. It slid together easily and is now nice and tight.

Joe

[quote=52Carl]Depends on the thickness of the glass. Sometimes reproduction glass is different than original and you probably can't find, or want NOS tape. I just used black RTV in the channel and pushed the glass into the frame If you go this route, which will work fine, use something to center the glass in the channel (the cardboard that single edge razor blades works good). If the channel is cocked on the glass it can cause breakage. Auto glass urethane would be better/stronger than RTV and easier to clean out of the channel if ever necessary. John

I believe Classics Parts sells tapes of varying thicknesses.

I believe I used .032 tape for windows and vents.

When you get the tape….

I've had good luck (esp., on vent glass) by
gently heating the tape on the glass with a hair dryer or heat gun…
then squish the glass into the thoroughly cleaned
frame until seated. Some of the tape will squish out & you just razor it
off.

mike

Setting tape needs oil to make it work properly. The oil causes it to swell and lock the glass in place. Have to wait about 24 hours before using handling glass.

Maybe the stuff you're using is different than the setting tape I used? The stuff I used required heat to set, so when the window or the entire truck sits in the sun (or you use a heat gun) that's what sets the tape and locks the glass in.

No heat is needed with original-style 47-55 glass setting tape - just oil (check out the Shop Manual).

Restoration Specialties sells different thicknesses of the original-style glass setting tape. I bought a small roll of each size and used the thickest one that I could dry fit.