I have decided to attempt to install my own windshield. Vehicle == '50 f-1, flat glass. I have the glass, and I am about to order the rubber. What else do I need to get as far as adhesives/sealants? Do I fit the rubber to the can and then plug in the windshield? Or should I put the rubber on the glass and then insert as a unit into the truck? Any tips so I don't end up buying another windshield?
put the rubber gasket on the windshield then put a 1/4" rope or cord around it. center windshield in the opening and from the bottom middle pull the cord outward and around from the inside of the cab. helps to have someone on the outside of the cab working with you. 54chop
Is the rope there to hold the rubber to the glass? What about the "glass installation tool" that's in catalogs. Do I need it?
No and no. The rope is in the channel on the gasket that the metal on the cab is going to set in. From the inside of the cab you pull the rope starting in the bottom middle and working your way all the way around. this will pull the lip of the rubber gasket over the metal lip in your cab. I would use some silicone around the seams in metal on the metal lip. Someone needs to hold the glass from the outside while the other pulls the rope and works the rubber from the inside.
Place new rubber seal with new glass together on garage floor.preferably on a piece of carpet or blanket.Then place rope prefer{nylon 1/4 inch} inproper groove on seal.Then place windsheld in opening feed the two ends of ropeover dash.then pull on one rope making sure rubber seal is seating properly.you will probably need some else pushing down on windsheild while you pull on rope end on the inside.sounds more complicated than it really is unless you have stainless trim that has to fit in rubber seal also.good luck.p.s. use some soap on seal makes it go on easier
No silicone on anything with paint or anything you ever hope to paint again. On window installations use urethane to seal and glue seams. Comes in a tube at the auto parts store and is made especially for auto glass installations. After you get the glass in place in the car, and any soap or whatever else you used to help your rope slide is cleaned and well dried, then lift the lip of the rubber on the outside and run a small bead of urethane under the lip. Some will squeeze out and clean it up with mineral spirits. Should seal pretty tight and prevent leaks.
Carlos tells it rite! But i prefer a little smaller rope, sash cord works well with some wax on it. Work slowly and don't force anything.........OLDBEET
Spray the rubber gasket channel on the side that will end in the car as well as where it fits over the pinch weld of the body, with silicone or WD-40. This will help lube everything and make drawing the rope and gasket over the pinchweld and help get everything aligned more easily.
instead of rope I've used a length of 14 or 12 guage electrical wire; it's real smooth and you wont break it like rope mite if it gets tight. I use a little dish soap in the groove where the wire goes; and a little on the pinch-weld; which helps a lot. Good luck with it.
I've found that weed whacker plastic rope like the ones that self feed, works the best! It's smaller and tougher then rope And it's more flexible then wire. Just ask scallop53 when we did his truck how well it worked !
I like soap myself and the weedwhacker cord sounds brillant! I usually used a good quality cord but would give the plastic stuff a try. One note... The silicone mentioned is a SPRAY silicone...not tub and tile sealer etc. I had to replace all the convertible top weatherstrips on a new LeBaron once because the owner read in the manual that you should treat them with "silicone". At least he had the forethought to use clear... My thought on silicone useage is that it would make it harder for sealer to stick if a weep were found between the gasket and pinchweld.
14 posts to install a F-1 windshield? I say nix to the weed whacker unless you can't afford 2 bux for nylon cord. the small cord wants to cut the rubber the silicone is nice but you are better off with the soapy water