Club 80-90 Forums

Re doing my Panel conversion windows. Is it wise to mastic around the rubbers once fitted?

i would be using new rubbers if i was you.you wont be needing mastic then..

I am


But wanted to make sure.
I'm gona run a line down the inside

why would you be wanting to use mastic then..do you suffer from belt and braces syndrome...

The new seals don't give me hope

The profile is the same both sides. the ones i've taken off were thin on the bodt work side and wider for the window frame.

I figure i can't hurt (much) to make sure

if your thinking of using silicon sealant.dont get any on your metalwork.as the acetic acid in it.will start eating your van...

Use the correct windscreen sealer, spray sopy water on the paintwork and seals before pushing the tube under the seal, seal up and scarpe off excess with a plastic spatula, dont even consider silicone sealant. And if you seal it up it also helps stop creating a watertrap for the rust to reappear...

Whats wrong with silicone

What product do you recomend?

I was advised to use window fitters Sikaflex on the notoriously leaky double glazed back screen on my Westy (after a large amount of the bottom lip and the inner skin of the back door had been welded up as a result of it leaking previously). Did the job on Saturday and it appears to have sealed perfectly. I think the stuff cost about £8 (it's black so matches the seal) but it's quite a messy job.

Can i get this on the high street?

Silicone just doesn't seal as well for some reason, one reason being it turns hard too quick, u need a flexible sealant - believe me I have tried quite a few over the years. Go to a motor factors and ask for a tube of windscreen sealeant, mine was less than £3! The fact it's black also helps...

I popped into motor mania near work and just got blanks looks .

I'll try a real car shop tomorrow.

If the rubbers have a lace in the middle of them which they should do if its a panel van converted you should seal them body to rubber and glass to rubber.before you put the lace in. if there original or replacement vw seals they are self sealing rubbers so you wont have to seal. If you need sealant go into your local autoglass depot and buy or blag a tube of Arbomast sealer off them.