The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop windshield install tips ! ?

I'm re-installing the two-piece windshield in my '53. I've got the deluxe weatherstrip, and I want to install the s.s. trim. I searched through some of the old posts for tips. But I just saw an article in the Jan. '07 "Rod and Custom" magazine about installing 50's era windshields. The guy used a lubricant "similar to petroleum jelly" when he bedded the s.s. trim in the channel. Does this really help, and anyone know what kind of lubricant to use? I don't want to use something that's not compatible with the rubber. Should I just use petroleum jelly? Or use something else, like silicone lubricant?

Many thanks.

the s.s. trim has to go in the rubber while the windshield is out. it all goes in as one unit......rubber,glass,s.s.trim.

I use an, ahem, "personal lubricant", the slippery non-viscous natural-feeling kind. It is water based and very slick, and eventually evaporates away and is rubber-compatible. It also helps to get the rubber warmed up to about 80 degrees.

Josiah,
You're talking about the weatherstrip rubber right?

Yeah, as far as you know

Soapy water or window cleaner will do the trick.

Lay the gasket on a flat surface, install the glass then the stainless minus the center piece.
flip the whole assembly over and install an 1/8 in. rope in the groove that the pinchweld will go in, overlaping at the ends of the rope when u get all the way around.
Spray around the rope and gasket w/ same lube,Get help putting the assembly in the opening of the truck and start pulling on the rope, pulling towards the center of the glass.
As the gasket starts coming over the pinchweld have the help pat the glass near where your pulling w/ a flat hand on the out side to help seat it. Do this until your all the way around.
Lastly install the center strip.

Hope this helps

Wilbur

Here's an addition to Josiah's "personal" lubricant. What works really good, washes away with water, is around nearly every shop, and doesn't hurt paint is plain old GoJo. It's slippery as snot and has the plus factor of leaving you with clean hands. Also works great for sliding sparkplug wires through boots.

Don't use the gritty gojo, though, it will scuff the paint and interfere with the seal.

just a word of caution... If you decide to use a lubricant to help slide things together, use something that will dissipate quickly. Silicone sprays tend to hang around for a long time and can make the glass pop out very easily once installed. Also, having a buddy for extra hands is a good idea! Good luck with the install...
Dano

I was a manager in an automotive assembly plant in the 1990s. We used Dawn dishwashing liquid to install stuff like weather stripping, gromlets, rubber parts and windshield gaskets. Slick, clean and washes right off. I've used it many times on projects. Cheap and reliable.

I would stick to the dishsoap for automotive use and the "Personal lube" for it's intended use !!!

So now, to finish this, does anyone apply sealant and if so what kind? As you can see I have not reached this point yet.

Thanks to all. Especially that 'personal lubricant' trick from "4onthefloor." Great tips and great discussion. But like "truckernix", I'm curious about sealant. Mine is garage-kept, but to-seal-or-not-to-seal? The article I read recommended 3M Bedding & Glazing Compound #8509. Appreciate the help.

NO sealant, except to seal a bad leaker.It is a mess if you have to remove the glass at some point.

3m bedding & glazing compound is the recommended sealer, that's what I use on most gasket installs. The only problem is the ooze out that continues well after the install and needs to be cleaned up and can easily be done with window cleaner and a single edge razor blade.