Targa seal at windshield help

[wgirardot]

Need some advice: I am about to install my new seal. In doing a "dry fit" found it to be very tight to get seal into groove. How is is going to be any easier with adhesive? Can I line the groove with adhesive and still install the seal with a soap water lubricant? Any tips, tricks or advice will be highly appreciated.

thanks,

Bill

[scottb]

What year is your car? Are you certain you have the correct seal? I don't recall the details, but for some years the correct seals are NLA, and you either have to get an aftermarket seal or modify the factory seal for later year cars.

The "guru" for all things related to Targa tops (including seals) is Dan Pechtel. www.carsinc-nj.com. You might give him a call to determine if you have the correct seal. If you do, I'm sure he'll give you some advice on installing the seal.

HTH.

Scott

[wgirardot]

yep, it is the correct seal purchased from Dan. I need to know if I can coat the groove with adhesive and still have the seal somewhat lubricated with a soap/water solution to get it to slip into place. my fear is getting stuck, and not being able to get it to the final correct position.

any tips, or advice welcome

thanks,

Bill

[carreraken]

subrscribed, I also have the seal from Dan waiting to be installed...

[DRACO A5OG]

I got the same front seal from Dan.

I did not use adhesive at all and after 6 months or so no issues.

I simply sprayed the area with water for lubrication and slid it in and adjusted where it needed. I figured once dry it should self seal. You will notice grooves and ridges on the new seal to help keep it in place.

Per shop manual, I started with the two corners, down the pilar then finished at the top center. Just pressed it in.

Note, make certain that ends line up with the door & quarter window and that you do not see, day light, if you do you will get wind noise.

My plan was to use adhesive once the seal sits and forms but to date found I did not need to glue it down. Yes, I drive with the top off and the seal sits perfectly in place. Dan's seal is right on the money.

Jim

[darshie76]

I've got recently both seals for the targa (except the 2 on the side...ironically the part where the gap is bigger and the water comes in)

I've had a lot of issue to put the new one in (the rear one, so the one that sits on the targa bar), and is not even glued, but looks ok, except that i noticed that the seal stops at the end of the rollbar, while the old seal that i had, was going all the way down the sides of the doors, so i had to cut it and now seems pretty good.

Now my question is: what would be the correct procedure to get the seals right ? (tomorrow i start with the front one , after gluing the back one) because after spending 400 dollars for the seals would be not nice to stick the glue in and have issues :P

I see here that you should lubricate the seal? I simply pulled out of the bag and sticked in place....is that wrong? (probably yes, since some water was coming in while i was washing my baby to check for other weak seals )

Now i empathize with people that works in body shops...is a crappy job to put seals on took me 3 hours to clean up the area where i will put the glue and the seal; and tomorrow i gotta start all over since i have to remove the seal and put the glue and then put it back

[Paul K]

Just got my seal from Dan. What kind of glue are you guys using?

[DRACO A5OG]

I have the black 3M adhesive but yet use it. I used a spray water bottle to wet the surface of the frame then slid the seal on per manual. It's been about 6 months and no glue needed.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

I have the black 3M adhesive but yet use it. I used a spray water bottle to wet the surface of the frame then slid the seal on per manual. It's been about 6 months and no glue needed.

Jim, you live where it does not rain. My seal is not glued either, but I would have, if living in a wet climate.

[UrQuattro]

Sorry to bring this thread out from the dead guys, but the black 3M adhesive referenced above... That isn't the black tarry stuff that comes in a roll and is like putty, is it? Or is there another glue that has the consistency of glue or caulking c

I'm trying to work up the courage to install the front targa seal that I got from dan about 6 months ago. I'm having bad luck with working on my car recently.
thanks in advance

Michael

[scottb]

Originally Posted by UrQuattro

Sorry to bring this thread out from the dead guys, but the black 3M adhesive referenced above... That isn't the black tarry stuff that comes in a roll and is like putty, is it? Or is there another glue that has the consistency of glue or caulking?

If it's the stuff I'm thinking of, it's essentially glue in a tube that you can get at your local Autozone, Pep Boys, etc. But, if you're unsure, call Dan. He'll tell you what to use.

Good luck!

[DRACO A5OG]

Heck, I did not use glue at all, because the new seal seated perfectly.

I did use a water spray bottle to make it easier to slide the seal in. It has been over a year and now the seal has not slipped off even when on the freeway at high speeds with the top off.

Thanks Dan the man!

[vulcan300]

Hey Jim,

I've got one of those seals on order. When I remove the factory seal this weekend I found that it was held in with a generous helping of contact cement. I've spent a lot of time cleaning out the contact cement and would love to avoid gluing the seal in. Have you had any water intrusion when washing the car or driving in the rain?

[DRACO A5OG]

Nope, super tight, in fact I had to remove all the old glue so Dan's seal could fit correctly.

[carslutt]

def watching this one

[RSTarga]

I used just a very light coating of glue. Maybe you can get away without gluing over the windshield , but down the window frames it needs glue. 3M or Wurth.

[Jdub]

About to take on this task, but Dan's seal on the front and for the rear the Porsche seal ($$$!!!) as well.

I typically use Ru-Glyde for seal installation where glue is not required. In this case, esp. for Dan's seal, I would surgically clean the channels and fit the seal using both the slippery agent and a hot day to aid flexibility in the work.

My question to the forum is has anyone tried installing the seal without glue, set the Targa top on to the seal, then taken the car for a spin to check the sealing? Even watered the area for leaks? My approach is to test fit without glue and conform the seal before removing it and finishing with glue. Thanks in advance for your advice much appreciated!