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We are still asking:
What did you get done on your Bolt today ????
The question, initially posted May 23, 2005, was:
"Whatcha do on your Bolt this weekend?"
After 51,906,997 views, 7378 replies over 185 pages, this thread in General Truck Talk is a happening! And it's not just weekends anymore.
Now with pictures and No BOTS.
So ...
What did you get done on your Bolt today????
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Oh Lord, I just gotta find it....
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Forums60
Topics127,512
Posts1,032,081
Members45,794
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Most Online1,229 Jan 21st, 2020
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 Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 96
OP
'Bolter
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I am trying to install new window channels in my 1949 Chevy truck. I currently have the glass and crank out of the door. Old channel is out. I have tried window channels from two different vendors and have ruined both trying to install them. The problem I have is the window channels want to kink when I try to put them in the doors. I've ordered another set, but really don't want to destroy another set. They are getting expensive. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. I've watched the Youtube videos from USA1 Industries and they make it look like a piece of cake. Unfortunately, I have not had the same results.
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,333
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
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The window channel is corrugated metal inside, so should form around corners without kinking. I haven't attempted installing mine yet, but maybe devise a tool like a paddle with the same thickness as the glass to push the channel into the corners. The paddle may prevent the sides from collapsing into the space where the glass goes.
Kevin Newest Project - 51 Chevy 3100 work truck. Photos [ flickr.com] #2 - '29 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. First car '29 Ford Special Coupe Busting rust since the mid-60's
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 132
'Bolter
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I think I used a heavy paint stick like the ones they give you at big box stores with a 5 gallon bucket of paint.
1957 Chevy 3200 PS, A/C, Tilt column, Rebuilt 350, Rebuilt TH350, Reupholstered Bench Seat, sound proof/insulated
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,333
Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums
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I think I used a heavy paint stick like the ones they give you at big box stores with a 5 gallon bucket of paint. Good idea. I have about 20 of those. 
Kevin Newest Project - 51 Chevy 3100 work truck. Photos [ flickr.com] #2 - '29 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. First car '29 Ford Special Coupe Busting rust since the mid-60's
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 839
'Bolter
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When I installed my window channels I "fit them to the window" first. I clamped a door window into a vice using paint sticks between the widow surface and vice jaws. I measured the distance of the window channel straight section from the retainer in the bottom of the door door up to the "radius " in the door window opening ( tangent point where the straight part ends and the radius begins ) . I then marked the channel section using that length to establish where the bend would start. I marked the window with a Paint line at that same radius and then placed the channel against the window lining up the two marks and then carefully formed the window channel over the window. This allowed me to make that radius bend very accurately.
Ronnie 1954 Chevy 3604 - A work in progress...
" You can't keep dancing with the Devil and wonder why you're still in hell"
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,076
'Bolter
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I first straighten the channel. I don't know why the manufacturers bend them in the opposite direction. Maybe they naturally bend in that direction without kinking. I then insert one end into the rear of the door until it engages with the doohickey at the bottom of the door channel. The extra length will go straight up in the air outside of the window opening. I then carefully make the first bend to fit the radius of rear of the door. The long end of the channel will extend past the front of the cab. I then carefully make the second bend to fit the radius of the front of the door. This can be done without inserting the channel inside of the door. it can hang outside of the window opening. I then remove the channel from the door, then install it by inserting both ends into the door channels. Don't worry about engaging the front end into the doohickey at the bottom of the front door channel. Allow it to go past the end of the door channel at this time, as it will need to be cut to length later. Now roll the window up to aid in forming the channel to fit the glass. The cornes will have some kinks which can be worked into place with wide screw driver. Once the channel fits the glass with the window all the way up you can mark the front end of the channel to cut to the proper length and insert it into the doohickey at the bottom of the door channel.
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 96
OP
'Bolter
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Carl, that is interesting. All the videos I watched showed putting the window felt channel in before putting the window and rolling mechanism in the door.
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,076
'Bolter
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The Manual instructions describes replacing it with the glass installed.
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 21
'Bolter
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I know this thread is old - but where did you guys get your channel. I ruined two that were bent the WRONG way from the supplier. Straightening first, then bending correctly didn't work, even using my glass as a form.
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 Re: Window Channel Installation - Help!
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,076
'Bolter
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They are all bent wrong by the vendors. You just need to go slow and massage them as you go. The metal is crimped up like an accordion, making it possible to get it to work.
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