Windshield - urethane sealer, yes or no

[Drbraunsr]

Read a bunch of threads and I don't see anyone adding a bead of urethane.
I'm re-installing front and rear glass into a 1980 P car.
I just had a new headliner installed and the vinyl is wrapped over the bead where the gasket is going. Sure seems like it'll leak.

No urethane ?

[mike gilbert]

NO NO NO !!!not necessary at all it will not set in properly and will cause your window to leak and rub off paint underneath causing rust in the windshield channel. Use a new seal and check the thread on the procedure. its not that bad but takes two people IMO. Just trim off what you think you need to on the headliner.

[cabmandone]

I used nothing on mine but the seal itself. After going over a bunch of threads, the guys in the know that had installed several seemed to say no extra sealant was needed. The other reason I didn't put any in is if I ever have to take the glass out, I don't want to have to clean up the mess.

[wayner]

Here is my conclusion after 3 years of experimenting:

You need something if you want the seal to stay dry, but glue may not be the best thing.

Here is another two threads that I have been feeding on this topic.
My conclusion is on page two of the first thread. My extensive test methods and results are documented in the second thread.
Many people have success with installing dry, but I am not willing to take the long term risk that it will stay dry.

To "Glue" or-not-to "Glue!

Why windshield trim should be a regular maintenance item.

[mike gilbert]

I know for a fact that any substance that disforms the factory fit will cause the window to move more during body flex causing a rubbing effect under the seal causing paint removal then rust. The main culprit is so called "professional" glass installers reusing the old seal and adding urethane. A new seal is a must every time the window comes out. It is a wearable consumable part IMO and needs to be replaced when they dry out.

[Drbraunsr]

I'm pretty sure I'll go dry but I work for 3M and now I'm intrigued with the sealer.
I will check it out.
Thanks a ton....

[wayner]

Mike, I think you would be pretty happy with the 3m glazing compound. It addresses your concerns by not deforming the seal. It has a consistency a bit heavier than toothpaste and remains flexible. I first used this on our vintage truck that had a similar seal. A year later I found a smudge that I had missed and it cleaned off easily with a wipe of a cloth with mineral spirits.

On my911 my brand new seal began leaking one year after installing dry, after a season of 80 degree days, down to -40 degree winter and back to 80 degree summer. The glazing seems like the best of both worlds in that it addresses both of your concern and mine.

I believe that the seal shrinks and contracts with temperature change and unlike urethane, the glazing compound allows it to do that

If my interior had been in there is no way that I would have noticed the tiny leaks, but my mission was to watch, see what happens to the seal over time and report back on my findings. That's what I did in those threads above.

You might say that I have become somewhat passionate about this topic :-)

[javadog]

FWIW, the official factory procedure called for gluing the rubber in between the rubber and the body opening. It was the last step in installing the glass, after making sure the installed molding was in the right place. Always a new seal...

JR

[3literpwr]

The factory windshield on my '87 seems to have sealer on both the inside and around the rubber seal. I'm interested in this glazing compound as I need to replace my seal in the coming days.

It's a mustang, but the seal and process should be similar...

Window Glass Install Installed Molding - Photo 63235689 - Window Glass Install - Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

[wayner]

FINALLY, an article that combines the collective thoughts of the group here.

Note they say not to use urethane.

They say THIN beads of bedding and glazing compound
That's the same stuff I've been talking about.

They say WILL leak eventually without it

Thanks for posting that link. I'll add it to my other thread!