Rubber windshield seal Q's

[Va914]

Hey guys..
I remember hearing something about using the black universal windshield seals on 914's and some of the OEM mounting surface will show through?? Is this true?

Does anyone have a good photo showing the body edge showing through? Iwas thinking I could paint the OEM mounting surface BLACK to help hide it, make sence?

Cheers
Kerry

[Zeke]

That's what I did (black paint), but the intereior trim should cover almost all metal, IIRC.

[Va914]

Thanks..

Any photo's and/or the size you used?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Others that I know who have done this have painted around the edge of the windshield itself. I think they came in about 1.5" from the edge? They liked the look. I haven't seen the cars for myself, though, just heard about the process.

--DD

[Va914]

Thanks Dave..

It seems like most newer cars have the edge painted (or whatever it is) black to hide some of the raw edges.

I don't think I could paint a straight enough line to do that to mine.

Part of my problem is I don't know what to expect to see when everything is installed. I need to get my glass installed ASAP after paint and then my interior. I would hate to install the interior and find a big old ugly gap or exposed trim piece...ya know.

Thanks again
Kerry

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Nobody can paint a straight enough line. That's why they make masking tape--for masking off the parts you don't want painted.

Oh, and of course the paint goes on the inside surface of the window.

--DD

[Va914]

Ma-s-k-ing T-a-pe ??? Must be some crazy NASA stuff

Thanks for the tips

Kerry

[urbanskater]

I'm confused as to what the oem surface is. I myself plan to use the black rubber seals instead of the tacky looking "chrome" trim. Could someone be kind enough to inform me.

[Va914]

The piece I am worried about is the piece the OEM seal gets sandwich'd between with the galss.

I guess you could also say it is the lip that stops the windshield from falling into the car ?

IIRC the new rubber seals have a rubber lip that goes on the outside of the windshield so the "lip" will show through the glass???


Yes/No???

Kerry

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The windshield is stopped from going into the car because it sits on metal the whole way around. The metal part of the frame is thicker than the painted part you see from the outside of the car, and the glass sits on that "extra" metal.

The rubber seal is not thick enough to cover that metal and the black butyl tape that is used to hold the windshield in. Looks ugly. That's why we're talking about painting the inside of the windshield around the edges.

I'm not sure what urbanskater is asking...

--DD

[urbanskater]

well i am confused as too what part shows, i think i understand when i took a look at my car. So if i paint it a charcoal color with the rest of the car will it still look ugly?

[Rich Hilgersom]

Va914
I think the OEM seal between the glass and the frame is an optional piece. The glass shops dont know about it and will offer a warranty without it anyway.
The painted edge is called a 'frit'. It means something made to fuse to glass so for lack of a name, thats what they called it. Its normally ceramic based so it can take the heat.
Timing is the issue. If you can get the glass out and paint the inner lip of the windshield a few days before the glass is installed that would be best.
I have seen people use some black paint on the inside of the glass (flat black engine enamel is ceramic based). However, each time you clean the inside of the windshield you may wipe some away.

urbanskater,
As far as which black seal to use in place of the aluminum trim on the outside?...dunno...each glass shop has different trim. The OEM trim that they were talking about is between the glass and the car on later models.

Regards,
Rich Hilgersom

[Zeke]

I'm too afraid to paint the inside of the glass and then seal it down. The sealant is now on a painted suface instead of the glass itself. If the paint peels, what is going to happen to the windshield? I can't take that chance on a race car that may see some wind inside the car if I ever spin it.

[Va914]

Rumor has it there is a paint made that is for automotive glass. I will be attempting to track some down in the morning. I'll keep you guys posted just incase someone wants to try to use it.

Cheers

[rbell]

Va914 I wish I would of painted the OEM surface black, before I installed the glass. I used the universal seal, it is approx 1/2 inch wide. I have a close up pix that shows a little of the OEM surface showing through but it is still hard to see! I will try to post that pix here. Check PELICANS OWNERS PHOTO GALLERY under the login name Rods914 for 5 more pixs.
RB

[rbell]

Va914 My close up pix is to large!! This pic just shows how nice the black rubber seal looks.
RB

[Will98D]

rbell: where'd you get the black rubber seal; any specs? looks like a good way to avoid the little clips and worn chrome, and should go well with my car (now being painted yellow).

[rbell]

Will98D, I went to my local auto glass store and asked them for the rubber seal that goes around the rear window of a 1985 Plymouth Voyager Van. They called it GENERAL PURPOSE TRIM. It came in a 100ft. roll!! For 15ft. it cost me $25.00 plus a large tube of black silicone(caulking gun size). The seal is approx. 1/2 inches wide and it will look great on your bright yellow 914.
Make sure you paint the windshield opening black before you install the glass. I did'nt and you can see some red paint.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

...Or paint the glass, as we mentioned above.

I'm curious, though--how does the trim deal with the corners? Most of the rubber trim 914s I've seen have had fitment issues of some degree in the corners.

--DD

[rbell]

DD-- The seal fits good on the top corners of the windshield, but on the bottoms I had to use a small amount of black silcone. The seal pulls tight at the lower corners but I am very happy with how it looks!
If you look at my pix you can see I also blacked out the silver wing window frame to match the windshield seal.
RB