Help needed urgently!

[brookseysblues]

Hi,

I am trying to install a new seal on the side window of my Hi top as the old one was leaking. I have tried all day to put the new window in with the seals and when I pull the string out to fit it (as is the tip to do it) it keeps slipping and the new seal falls away. I think the issue is that the window is home made from previous owner and a non standard fit so the seal does not stay in place. So I am now left with a hole in my hi top.

I need to sort this urgently before the rain starts!! So I am in panic mode really.

I am in Manchester does anybody live local thats done this sort of thing or can you recommend anybody to go to. I know that usually there is a long lead time for places really.

Any ideas please??

Thanks!
Pete

[jrt]

Hope someone will be along soon with some advice/info. If you use the advanced search at the top right of this page you'll get a fair bit of info from previous posts. I've never fitted a new seal so not much help. Manchester Air Cooled may be able to help http://www.macvw.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or maybe bung someone from Autoglass a back hander !
David

[RogerT]

I've done a couple of windows on mine. I used seal from Claytonrite, sold by Sealsdirect. You measure the thickness of the metal panel, and the thickness of the glass, and estimate the gap between glass and metal. The accepted technique seems to be fit the seal to the van, with the join at the bottom, and with the seal being about an inch too long so you have to force it apart to butt it. Use strips of masking tape to hold in place on the top sections. The offer up the glass, fitting the bottom edge in first, and working the seal onto the sides and then the top. I think i used a metal tool rather than plastic, and came to no grief. Because I used seal with a central strip that was fitted at the end of the process I had bought the appropriate tool for that, and I think that's what I used to work the seal onto the glass. I also had a teenage son to help (and it was he who helpfully suggested fitting it bottom edge first, after several near disasters ), When fitting the central strip, the use of a wet soapy cloth helped immeasurably. I also used plenty of sealant (Arbomast Autograde, never sets, so never cracks), as my windows, like yours, are an imperfect fit. I think I must have found helpful instructions on here somewhere for fitting windows, and there are probably youtubes too. The string technique works for windscreens (very well, done it three times, each time with more and more sealant!)

My windows are now all leak free I think, but I still have copious amounts of rust left on the inside where water has pi55ed in previously.

Hope you get on ok.

[Plasticman]

that sounds like something i wrote a bit back thats the way though, to the O/P, the string is what screwed you as its not used on that type of seal
oh and cheap green glass cleaner from testoes is what we use as a glass lube
mm

[RogerT]

I should have known where I had read it. Not trying to take your credit

[brookseysblues]

Very very happy final update

I am now over the moon as I have listened to all of the fab advice from Roger T and Metal Mickey and I have now replaced the seal on the window and its leak proof and perfect! btw the seal arrived from Seals Direct the following day which is amazing.Thank you so much guys I don't know where I would have been without your advice!!

On a general point this site really is amazing and I could not have made the improvements and got the contacts for work on my Van without it

[RogerT]

Glad to hear it, it's a lot of fun getting things done successfully!