Windshield leaks, and yes I searched...a lot

[Duc Hunter]

I have replaced my windshield gasket several times, and it still leaks. I searched all over and am out of ideas. I tried a non-factory gasket and heavy dew would leak in around the bottom of the windshield. Well technically I think it leaked in around between he gasket and the body, not the gasket and the glass. Then we tried a factory gasket, and while taking the old one out we saw standing water in the lower drivers side corner, where these cars often rust. Yes, I cleaned and painted this area up before the new gasket went in. This solved the dew problem and the sprinklers problem. Last night though we had some heavy rain here in Fl, and my car has water on the dashboard and the carpets are wet.

My Indy, who is an ex-Porsche Mechanic himself, has said we need to put some sealer under the gasket to fix this. He says they use to do it all the time. He wants to put it from about 12" up the window frame, and through the corner and about 1/3 of the way across the bottom.

I am not sure sealant is the issue, but I am out of ideas too. I have tried tapping the gasket farther into place, as some have shown on this site, and it does not seem to move at all or help, obviously. So I thought I would come ask the experts.

Is sealant the way to go? Are there other tricks? It's a factory gasket (now) and new bones (silver part that gets pressed into the gasket between the body and glass).

[universeman]

Sealant might be the way to go...my body shop just put in a new windshield and gasket and I think (but am not certain) that they put sealant in there - no leaks.

Are you sure you're tapping hard enough on the metal? It can take a lot of pressure before bending. The top corners are really important because water can get in there and then run to the bottom. If you're not focused on how the top corners fit, take another look. The rubber should be fully covering the gaps, with plenty of overlap (1/4" or more)...

Also try stuffing dry microfiber towels into the bottom corners of the windshield before the next rain, put some pressure on the windshield with the towels. If they're dry and no leaks into the car, you've found your issue. If they're wet you've found it also, and it's maybe worse than you thought!

[T77911S]

I would do all the way around if you do it,

I would also rust proof the bottom corners VERY well
paint them with wurths

[Duc Hunter]

Originally Posted by universeman

Sealant might be the way to go...my body shop just put in a new windshield and gasket and I think (but am not certain) that they put sealant in there - no leaks.

Are you sure you're tapping hard enough on the metal? It can take a lot of pressure before bending. The top corners are really important because water can get in there and then run to the bottom. If you're not focused on how the top corners fit, take another look. The rubber should be fully covering the gaps, with plenty of overlap (1/4" or more)...

Also try stuffing dry microfiber towels into the bottom corners of the windshield before the next rain, put some pressure on the windshield with the towels. If they're dry and no leaks into the car, you've found your issue. If they're wet you've found it also, and it's maybe worse than you thought!

I will go re-tap around the top corners I know they are a problematic area. My 89 had the top drivers corner of the body exposed and the gasket in the corner slightly. It was not leaking into the interior though, but I tapped that back out.

To do the sealant right I would think I would want to pull the glass out, put sealant in, then put the window in (messy as the sealant oozes out) then wipe put eh excess sealant. The paint on this rat rod is not great, so a little sealant wont make a difference.

[RDM]

When I finally put my new seals in (after I finally get my trim refinished), I will use this stuff on both the metal side and the glass side of the seal. It is allegedly permanently non-hardening and cleans up with mineral spirits.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-08509-Bedding-Compound-Cartridge/dp/B000PF13JW



Extensive discussion of this topic here:
Why windshield trim should be a regular maintenance item.

[john walker's workshop]

Good stuff above. Not sticky and evil like the old 3M Windo-Weld sealant.

[Duc Hunter]

OK you guys sold me. When I had the gasket out to put in the first non-factory gasket I cleaned up the very minor rust, ospho'd everything, then painted with multiple coats of Hammerite. Always had great luck with it. 2 months later, when i pulled the non-factory gasket for a factory one because it was leaking, there was standing water in the corners and rust. Very minor but rust though the Hammerite! Amazing.

Not sure what more to do to prevent the rust. This time I am now wanting to pull everything, re-clean and paint, then use a lot of that 3M stuff, so it oozes out onto the body....then wipe up the excess when wet, and not worry. Thoughts?

[riverstonefly]

Lol don't drive in the rain.....

[3literpwr]

Originally Posted by RDM

When I finally put my new seals in (after I finally get my trim refinished), I will use this stuff on both the metal side and the glass side of the seal. It is allegedly permanently non-hardening and cleans up with mineral spirits.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-08509-Bedding-Compound-Cartridge/dp/B000PF13JW



Extensive discussion of this topic here:
Why windshield trim should be a regular maintenance item.

This is the only way to go. I've used this much success.

[Flojo]

Originally Posted by 3literpwr

This is the only way to go. I've used this much success.

absoluteley!
360 between glass and seal, and again 360 between seal and frame.
no worry, shield will pop out when needed to replace without issue.