The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Rear window lock bead tool

How the heck are you supposed to use this thing? This is the tool that is supposed to help in putting in the lock bead in the rear window weatherstripping.

BTW, haven't been around in a while. It is good to be back.

I'll tell you what, I have never liked the tool. In fact, I havn't used one in years because there are better ways.
First, heat the rubber in a bucket of hot water, that works GREAT. Second, if you don't want to do that, use some 3M "release agent" spray. This stuff has totally changed the way I work with rubber, I'll tell you that.

Thanks Martinsr - I was just getting ready to put the windows in the Toad ... I'll try your method before I go looking for a beading tool. I used to have one and loaned it to someone ...

On my 55 rear window the lock bead faces out can you install the other way and have lock bead on inside I think it would look better that way. Is it possible Biddaboy

I'll try the hot water method first. Thanks!

Hot water helped a little, but not as much as it could have since it was already over 100 outside. The trick that made the job a snap was using liquid dishwashing detergent as a lubricant. I squirted it into the weatherstrip groove and on the retainer. Using the tool and angling it toward the back, the retainer slipped right in.

The 3M "release agent" doesn't stay like dish washing soap would (I assume). The 3M stuff "disappears" after just minutes.