Window / Seals Fitting in South Wales

Thin bits of metal and bright blue light.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Locked
Bilson
Registered user
Posts: 65
Joined: 10 May 2012, 19:43
80-90 Mem No: 14455
Location: Wales

Window / Seals Fitting in South Wales

Post by Bilson »

I replaced my side window rubbers a couple of months ago, bought from gunzl, which are apparently supposed to be fitted dry, (no sealant) but I've had trouble with water getting in since, and have used butyl windscreen sealant to try and fix them.

They are better, but still leaking and they have started doing now so from the channel that the windows sit in.

I initially thought I'd save the cost of fitting by doing them myself, I read all I could in the wiki pages, and sought as much advice on here as I could get. I don't know what I could have done wrong, but I'm reluctant to think anything would be wrong with the seals themselves, so I'm inclined to place the blame on them being incorrectly fitted by myself.

So I've got to the point where I think I'm going to have to pay someone to re-fit the seals, and properly this time. So I'd be greateful if someone might be able to suggest a reliable window replacement firm/person around Cardiff? Or at least give me a heads-up on any to avoid.

Many thanks,
Aircooled 2.0 CU Twin Solex Carbs

User avatar
1664
Registered user
Posts: 8746
Joined: 30 Mar 2006, 15:20
80-90 Mem No: 3299
Location: Coventry Member

Re: Window / Seals Fitting in South Wales

Post by 1664 »

I'm not 100% sure about this but depending on what sort of van you have, it may have started out as a panelvan (rather than a Caravelle say) and had the windows cut out by the conversion company. The seal profiles for these differ from the 'factory' pressed panels with the window openings already in them, and I think Gunzl may supply the VW version. Was the replacement seals profile identical to the ones that came out?

Hopefully someone who knows for sure will be along to confirm/rubbish this....
Vorsprung Durch Technik my ar$e!

Bilson
Registered user
Posts: 65
Joined: 10 May 2012, 19:43
80-90 Mem No: 14455
Location: Wales

Re: Window / Seals Fitting in South Wales

Post by Bilson »

Thanks for the suggestion, the van's a joker so has factory fitted windows, and the new seals are very similar to those they replaced, the profile seems pretty much identical, and I'm told the seals are made using the original moulds. I double checked everything before purchasing them so I can only assume I've done something wrong fitting them. Cheers, anyway
Aircooled 2.0 CU Twin Solex Carbs

Plasticman
Trader
Posts: 8077
Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
80-90 Mem No: 1948
Location: lincolnshire

Re: Window / Seals Fitting in South Wales

Post by Plasticman »

recently did a van and bought the rear seals from gunzl and the middles from custom and commercial, now i add that htese where for the chrome inserts but,, my fitter and i struggled with the gunzl ones hwereas the custom ones sailed in
on inspection the size of the rubber that fits over the van lip was a bit long and caused issues with fitting , that said they certainly havent leaked and went in as always, without sealnat
mm

Bilson
Registered user
Posts: 65
Joined: 10 May 2012, 19:43
80-90 Mem No: 14455
Location: Wales

Re: Window / Seals Fitting in South Wales

Post by Bilson »

cheers metalmick8y, strange you struggled with gunzl's rears, it was the middles that gave me trouble, the rears for me were a breeze - but obviously still letting water in.

I did find the seals (while of a very similar profile to the originals) did seem slightly larger, and the upper and lower edges don't seem to fit within the frame as the originals did.

I was considering trying the seals with inserts incase they were any better, but the one's I bought should surely be as good.
Aircooled 2.0 CU Twin Solex Carbs

Plasticman
Trader
Posts: 8077
Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
80-90 Mem No: 1948
Location: lincolnshire

Re: Window / Seals Fitting in South Wales

Post by Plasticman »

the main reason we struggled with the rear windows was it was doublegased with the nice posh vents, the lip on the custom ones was slightly smaller, the rubber a little more supple and the fitted appearance more like the original ,the crome insert style will add £30+ per window and are a bit of a pig to do
mm

Locked