The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors ’51 Chevy vent window division bar relining

I purchased a set of new “Division Bar Relining Channels” from Classic Parts and don’t know what to lubricate them with in order to get them in the division bar. The relining channels have a fairly sticky rubber or rubber like material on the sides. This will not go into the slot of the division bar. I am afraid that if I use a screwdriver or the like, I will crimp the new relining channel.
I called Steve at Classic Parts tech and he said he had no idea whether to use dish washing detergent, WD-40, oil, or what to do. I obviously need to use something but don’t want to screw it up. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
John

Have you removed the old liner? The felt/weatherstrip is attached to a metal channel that fits into the division bar. Scrape away the old felt and you'll find some rivets, you'll see them when you pull the vent glass rubber out of the frame. Note: you can probably get away without re-riveting the channel.

The original liner was replaced by the prior owner and I used a screwdriver to lift his (5 Years old) out. No rivets. It was a modern “Division Bar Relining Channel” The metal division bar is clean but the new ones won't go in. Therein is my problem.
John

John -

I replaced the division bar inserts in my '54 a couple of weeks ago with a "Door Window Felt and Glass Run" kit from The Truck Shop. Like you, I found that the sticky rubber on the inserts prevented them from going into the window/vent channel. I also found that the friction between the channel and the insert separated the fuzzy from the insert so that it would never go into the channel. I tried lubing with dish detergent. Just made it worse. Then I had to wash off the soap and dry the inserts before proceeding.

> My solution:

I trimmed off some of the rubber on the outside of the insert that had wrinkled up from trying to jam it into the channel.

I squirted black 3M Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive (#08008) under the felt that was separating from the insert. Let it set a few seconds, then pressed it against the outside of the insert where it had separated to squeeze out and wipe off the excess. I made sure that all of the felt was stuck to the outside of the inserts with no loose spots. Otherwise, it will flop out of the channel and your windows will look terrible.

I squeezed the insert together slightly so that it will fit into the channel a little easier. Check make sure it is not squeezed too much by pressing it over the edge of the window glass

I ran a THIN bead of the 3M adhesive onto both interior sides of the channel. Then pushed in the insert. IT WORKED AND LOOKED GREAT!

The black adhesive wore off of my fingers in a couple of days.

Good luck with your windows.

Lonnie,
What did you use to squeeze the insert together?
John

John -

I just used my fingers/hand. Only need to squeeze it about 1/16". Be careful, it bends pretty easily. Push the window glass into it after you squeeze it together to make sure that it is not too tight. The glass may be able to open it up a little if too tight.

I only squeezed the top (open side) of the insert. The bottom may have bowed in a little when I squeezed the top, but I'm not sure. If the bottom is too tight, try shaving off a little of the rubber coating with a single edge razor blade.

If you squirt a thin bead of adhesive in the channel, push the insert into the channel before the adhesive sets up. The word "bead" may be misleading. It was more like a thread of adhesive ... very thin line. I'm not sure that it's needed, but I used adhesive for insurance.

By the way, I see that you are from Asheville - one of my favorite towns and areas of the nation. We stay at the Grove Park Inn when ever we can. I'm a woodworker, like you. Not a great turner, but I try. Ever take in the Arts and Crafts Conference at the GPI?

Lonnie,
I'll give it a try with the razor. I guess a wide putty knife would work for pushing it down into the channel. We will see.
Nope, never been to the Arts and Crafts Conference at GPI but am very heavily involved in woodturning. You can Google John Hill woodturning or woodturner, etc and get more than you want to know.
John

For what it's worth, mine went into the channel without much hard pushing after I squeezed the insert together. I used my thumb to push it in.

Yep - I Googled you. Your work is wonderful and I really like your wife's paper weaving. Andi Wolfe's blog made me feel like I was at your farm. Good luck with your windows.

I just did all the seals and runners on a 56. Not sure if it'll help, but I went though all the trials and tribs and maybe it'll save someone else some time! It's in my blog.