Club 80-90 Forums

The silver coloured insert in my `89 Caravelle windows is very faded (except those on the cab doors) and I was wondering if you can simply remove it and replace it with a black insert ? Has anyone done this as I would appreciate any advice and besides, I don`t want the windows to fall out ! Thanks.

I had my window put back by autoglass, and they used a special tool to replace the insert.

I know you need a special tool to put the insert back in but I need to know if you can replace the Caravelle silver insert with an ordinary black one.

Beetlecrusher,
Have a look at this site, you should be able to find chrome filler strip here, (and the tool to fit it)

Link to Seals Direct

Just scroll down.


Mike

i think they are the same apart from the colour - so should be interchangable. justkampers sell the stuff by the metre.

i just removed and replaced the insert on a couple of my windows without a special tool. i used one of those flat plastic things you use to apply filler.
if you stretch it a bit it seems to help. i wouldnt say it was easy but it is do-able

Thanks for the advice, fella`s. It looks as though the inserts are the same size so I think I`ll get some of the black stuff and give it a go.

Nah, don't go to all that hassle, go buy some chrome/silver type paint, mask them with tape and spray - takes ten mins even to do whole windscreen. Look:

[img:800:600]https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/images/Wedge2.jpg[/img]

Thats a great idea but I prefer the black to the silver. I could always use black paint, I suppose.

Indeed. Don't underestimate the work involved taking windows out, refitting trim, not to mention cost of said trim, then putting windows back in compared to few minutes needed with a spray can and a few reels of good masking tape - job done for at least 3 years.

That trim is what sets the Caravelle apart tho. I've actually gone the opposite way and even sprayed rear vents same colour.

Now if I could only find chrome mirrors and I'd be a REALLY happy bunny....

Surely, you wouldn`t have to take the windows out ? I assume you would just take the old chrome insert out and replace with the black.

my 'chrome' inserts were looking very faded and crappy, so have started to black em up... remove and de-moss, clean up well with fine wire wool and thinners, wipe thoroughly with de greaser/thinners and spray with satin black spray paint they look really good! (not a fan of the chromified ones, but thats just me) have tried to scrape off the black paint just to test how well it will last, and can't get it to flake off, it's well stuck! getting them back in will make you swear lots tho, unless you get the proper tool!

Deffo easier to mask and spray. Been doing that for 15 years since I started with bugs. Is ok taking windows out if you plan to be sorting rot in areas but not worth the hassle otherwise. Just makes the job way bigger than it needs to be.

Or replace the rubbers with new non trim variety rubber if you want to go the black route and you are taking widows out.