Arbomast bodger

[hankino]

Hello all,
After reading about leak cures here, I bought a load of Arbomast and have used it straight on the exterior of the windscreen - ie along the exposed edge of the glass rubber join, and along the edge of the rubber metal join.

I've set a bead of it, then pressed it down. It's stays squidgy like black chewing gum, and looks rough, but I don't mind that much. Before I carry on and do the rest of the van, am I being an idiot?

Does anyone know if the stuff works properly if used in this bodgy way or is just supposed to be for proper jobs 'under the rubber'?

I may or may not have nine and a half tubes going spare...

thanks
Alex

'measure twice, cut once, cut a bit more, reach for gaffer tape'

[VWCamperfan]

Should really go under the rubber but if you keep the nozzle hole small you can push it under the rubber and squeeze it in from there. Done it myself a while ago!

[hankino]

thanks for the reply, Mark
I can see why under the rubber would be best and look neatest, but could it work the way I've done it?

I thought I'd read about someone doing it the bodge way, but can't find the post now...

I'm using it in the same way I guess people use bathroom sealant, but hoping the arbomast will be more durable. It takes a long time to cure - a week on and it's still changing, losing surface tackiness and becoming much more like rubber, but still with a squidgy core.

[CovKid]

The real question is, are you addressing the knock-on effects of water penetration (ie rust/rot under rubbers). Sometimes its just as easy to pop window out, fix rot then seal properly. After all, it'll still rust away under there.

[hankino]

but that wouldn't be bodging then, would it!

Of course you are right, CovKid, but it's just not going to happen.

After getting lots of cab welding done for the new MOT - most likely a result of the windscreen leak - right now I'm just looking to stick a thumb in the dyke then suck it 'n' see...


matron.

but before I slather the stuff on every window I was curious if anyone else had used arbomast like this?

[CovKid]

fair do. It should stop it for a while anyway. I'd be more inclined to concentrate on getting a bead under leading edge close to bodywork. They don't often (if at all) leak between rubber and glass. Might pay you to buy a s/h MIG welder and learn enough to patch these areas in future though - you'll save a fortune.

[hankino]

I'd love to do my own welding. but work on the street so it's not really on.

I'll persevere with the bodge, try to squeeze some under the rubber/metal join as suggested, and do a follow-up next time it rains in case anyone else is interested in half-rsed leak prevention