Bad reproduction window channel kit?

[felix37]

Has anybody had problems with there window channel kits from Vintique? I replaced all four windows less than a year and a half ago,and the felt and cloth is pulling away from all four outside pieces! and the once black cloth looks sun bleached white! Did I do something wrong?? the installation was pretty straight forward and I asked other people for advice before installing them.They looked great for the first six months,but now they are as rough looking as the originals I took off!!

[Ken/Alabama]

Ive had the same problems. mine came from Bob Drake and they were a dead ringer from the originals . I didnt have so much of coming a part as I did the fading . One trick I learned from a very respectable collector of 40 Fords is to re-color them with a black pemanant marker, makes them look like new . Cant help you much with them coming apart .

[32Gnu]

I am watching.. I need to order mine this week..

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

I've never got anything that says Vintique on the package that has been anygood. Walt

[felix37]

The Sad thing is there is a big sticker on the box that says Made in the USA !!!

[Lawson Cox]

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The ones I got for my 35 Pickup (Name of supplier withheld for personal reasons) and they started coming apart, especially at the curves. I clipped the fabric at the corners and glued them back down. Doesn't look too bad at present, but it hasn't been out in the sun much. Thanks for the tip about the magic marker.

[Ralph Moore]

Doesn't all of that Vintique's stuff come from China?

[Karl Wescott]

Vintique has a lot of stuff made in the USA. They also get a lot from China.

My understanding is that some of the window felt channels and single sided strip are standard automotive glass supplies that Vintique cuts, bends, and adds clips. The deeper batwings are custom made with the felt again a standard automotive glass supply. The issue could be with the raw material supplier (which is likely the same for Drake and Carpenter as well).

Contact whoever you purchased the kit from and see if they will work with Vintique to exchange it (they likely will... with one exactly the same LOL). If the vendor will not work with you email me at karlw(at)wescottsauto(dot)com and I will send you Vintiques phone number.

[31chevy]

I used " stickey stuff " a spray glue used for insulation, upholstery etc.

[chuck stevens]

I had the same thing happen on my 39 standard. But it was restored in the 80's and I just thought it was a time thing. It was so long a go I'm sure it wasn't Vintiques stuff.

[Barry-ct]

I bought mine from LMC and when they arrived, they were in a Vintique box. It also said, made in USA on it. I had to trim the ends like the old ones and add the push clips to the pieces. My doors on my truck have a recess on the top edge that you use to close the doors ( no arm rests ) and these parts were not the same curve as the recesses. I am very dissappointed in the kit. THe channels that the glass rides in were very good, but the horizontal fuzzies were crap! I will have to re-do the fuzzies again I'm sure. Maybe I should send them the old ones for a pattern!!

Barry

50 F-1

[39coupe]

I have the same problem with the one's in my '39. They aren't faded but do appear to be pulling apart. And my window glass goes up and down just fine. More marginal Vintique stuff...

[dude]

The sun plays havoc on cloth and dyes. Had the same problem on my cars. The sun doesn't care of it use made in China or USA.

[Gumpy]

purchased mine from drake they held up so far

[Kahuna]

I purchased my window channel, not as a kit, but indiviual pieces from Mac's. Also got some from an automotive glass place. They've held up great for the last 20+ years on my 39 Std coupe

[wga]

Felix - CR Laurence is a huge supplier to the glass service industry, felts, to aluminum extrusions. You can purchase from a glass shop - automotive or residential, commercial. Check the window channels they have. I used them for
my '49 . I compared what I had to what was in their catalog, dimensions, etc.

Their automotive website: http://www.crlaurence.com/apps/conte.../index_us.html

[DICK SPADARO]

This post is to somewhat address the problem related to the window channel kits on the above posts. In my experience with these kits it is not the brand of the kit that is in question. This whisker material is common automotive product that is made by various trim manufacturers. This material is hand formed in a jig to conform to the molding or door contour by secondary vendors so results should not vary because of similar fabrication methods.

Since I have personally damaged a kit during installation I have found that most problems in degradation of the whisker come from accidentally over bending the corners inward radius. Since the cloth material is only glued to the metal retainer this accidental stressing breaks the bond. As the cloth bond is already stretched, the cloth loosens up after a period of time or immediately as in my case and pulls away. Once this bond is broken it cannot be repaired. This over bending is very easy to do and to the point of being easily overlooked during manipulation of the whisker.

To help alleviate the separation issue I have been using extra care when handling the whisker. I now start the installation at the most curved point of the molding and work around from there rather than finishing up at the major curve. I have had good luck using the small counter sunk screws and clips to retain the whisker in close proximity to the sharp radius curvature sections. By giving the trim some extra pinch support it seems to prevent the molding whisker from separating.

As for the color degradation this varies as to the age of the product, sunlight exposure, the detergent and frequency that the vehicle is washed.

Again this is my experience with this product and I hope it sheds some light on the issue.

[Marv]

I bought kits for a 39 Ford 2 dr. sedan about 20 years ago.They were never out of the box till this thread started. I opened the boxes and most of the materials are junk and just plain fell apart. They are Vintique brand and the parts never seen the sun, although the boxes may have. Marv

[GreenMonster48]

Originally Posted by Barry-ct

I bought mine from LMC and when they arrived, they were in a Vintique box. It also said, made in USA on it. I had to trim the ends like the old ones and add the push clips to the pieces. My doors on my truck have a recess on the top edge that you use to close the doors ( no arm rests ) and these parts were not the same curve as the recesses. I am very dissappointed in the kit. THe channels that the glass rides in were very good, but the horizontal fuzzies were crap! I will have to re-do the fuzzies again I'm sure. Maybe I should send them the old ones for a pattern!!

Barry

50 F-1

I just did mine this summer....well one side at least. It was such a pain I didn't want to do the other side. The clips on the horizontal fuzzies WOULD NOT stay in. Similar experience though. Extreme disappointment. Was looking forward to doing that job.

[Barry-ct]

I had the same problem as you describe. They won't stay on the door very well. I've only done the one side and it was frustrating. It took me 3/4 of a day to install the vent window, door glass and the glass run and fuzzies. By the time I finished the one door, I was cranked! too many expletive deletive said that day!! I still have to get a pass side glass made to finish the job. I just wish that the manufacturers would check the new stuff against the old before they sell this stuff!

Barry

50 F-1

[felix37]

My, friend just got his window channel kits a few days ago,We opened the box yesterday and inspected the felts, in almost all of the tight inside corners the material had allready started to pull away showing the threads of fabric being over streched from the metal frame. I agree with dick, I believe the fuzzies used by these companies are not meant to be bent in such a drastic manner,maybe they need to re-look this component and see if the fuzzies could be assembled with an elastic type cloth?? Oh, and by the way neither box had any type of instructions??

[GreenMonster48]

Originally Posted by felix37

My, friend just got his window channel kits a few days ago,We opened the box yesterday and inspected the felts, in almost all of the tight inside corners the material had allready started to pull away showing the threads of fabric being over streched from the metal frame. I agree with dick, I believe the fuzzies used by these companies are not meant to be bent in such a drastic manner,maybe they need to re-look this component and see if the fuzzies could be assembled with an elastic type cloth?? Oh, and by the way neither box had any type of instructions??

If you explore the Dennis Carpenter catalog online for the 48-56 trucks (PDF version of the actual catalog) There is detailed instruction on how to install the kit towards the end of the catalog. The principals should apply to just about every vehicle. Might be worth a look.

[Bob Drake Repro]

We’ve put a ton of research into each one of our window channel kits. We were the first to hand laminate the proper fuzz type pile into the deep metal “U” channels that go inside the door for 1934-40. In 1932 and 1933 the front channel is molded rubber with a smooth cloth material glued on. The upper glass edge of the door in 1933 is sponge rubber molded to the deep “U” channel, we do ours the same way. Some other makers during this time used Velcro material in this area, which is totally wrong. We found the original company that makes the “high-pile fuzzies” around the window openings. This is the same company that supplied Ford from the beginning (yup, they’re still in business). Dick Spadaro was right in his comments about the stress being put in the areas where this material is bent. Early on, we noticed this as well and we add instructions about relieving the cloth in these areas like this:


We have not had any feedback about the material fading before seeing it on this forum, but are checking with the company to see if they have any suggestions. Everything fades in the sun though, decks, house paint, dashboards… you name it. Any other problems, please let us know and we’ll do our best to get it taken care of.

Bob

[Kahuna]

Thanks for that great bit of info, Bob. I, for one, appreciate it
Jim

[felix37]

thanks everyone for the posts in this matter,especially Bob Drake! I think we are all a little more informed on the process and procedures that go into the glass runs and widow felts.we all can make a better educated choice on who's kits we will buy in the future and some helpful tips to make the installation go a little easier and look a little better.

[okiedokie]

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Thanks to Dick Spadaro and Bob Drake for the enlightenment.

[slantback37]

I just bought a new kit. Can someone just tell me where they go?? I would like to see a pic or two of where each of the cats whiskers are located.. I figure one is screwed to the body of the door.. Now where does the other one go?? Thanks..

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by Barry-ct

I bought mine from LMC and when they arrived, they were in a Vintique box. It also said, made in USA on it. I had to trim the ends like the old ones and add the push clips to the pieces. My doors on my truck have a recess on the top edge that you use to close the doors ( no arm rests ) and these parts were not the same curve as the recesses. I am very dissappointed in the kit. THe channels that the glass rides in were very good, but the horizontal fuzzies were crap! I will have to re-do the fuzzies again I'm sure. Maybe I should send them the old ones for a pattern!!

Barry

50 F-1

Originally Posted by GreenMonster48

I just did mine this summer....well one side at least. It was such a pain I didn't want to do the other side. The clips on the horizontal fuzzies WOULD NOT stay in. Similar experience though. Extreme disappointment. Was looking forward to doing that job.

Originally Posted by GreenMonster48

If you explore the Dennis Carpenter catalog online for the 48-56 trucks (PDF version of the actual catalog) There is detailed instruction on how to install the kit towards the end of the catalog. The principals should apply to just about every vehicle. Might be worth a look.

I went round and round with Dennis C's customer service folks on the beltline felts for my '52. Out of the box, the fuzzies were pulling out of the metal edging at the rear where there is a kick-up. It is clearly caused by bending straight material into a curve.

While I was on the phone with them, they pulled some from stock and looked at them. They swore they were fine. Sent me new ones (free) and when they arrived, they were pulling apart. Plus as noted the clips are crap. I just got new clips from Vintique, they appear to be actual real metal, not tuna can metal, and I've heard they work well. We'll see....

[theHIGHLANDER]

I just started bending up the stock I got for the moldings on my 39 Std Tudor. The ones I'm using are metal on both edges, rubber behind the felt surface. This task is a real PITA to pull off nice, and I may look at the relief cut idea for the bends, especially the big one at the front. The 90 deg bends in the back aren't too hateful to do but still pretty challenging. Film at 11:00...

[flatheadv8]

I bought the rear kit for my 39 tudor std from Drake as well. I had some questions and they were helpful when I called. Mine did have the instructions to cut and re-glue if necessary. I used 3M Super 90..I think, where needed. Will verify this tonight. The driver side took me all day. The little staples are a pain in the butt, but are doable. I used a drill with a 1/16 bit to make the holes in the new felt strips.

Thank you to Bob Drake for the info. above.

Biggest problem I had was how to get the window back in right. Cant seem to get the post that sticks out of the window track to hook on to anything. Window wants to tip in at the top when it is rolled down. Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards,
Jeremy

[Big Shark]

Has anyone called LaBarron Bonney, or got any from them? Bruce

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Time to order window channel kit for my 36 pickup.

It seems like Bob Drake is the way to go?

Definitely won't try anything Vintique..already got a few parts from other suppliers that contained Vintique labels inside and sorely disappointed.

[Brian]

Has anyone tried the window felt kits from Steele Rubber Co?

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Scott H in Wheaton

Time to order window channel kit for my 36 pickup.

It seems like Bob Drake is the way to go?

Definitely won't try anything Vintique..already got a few parts from other suppliers that contained Vintique labels inside and sorely disappointed.

Double check with Drake as most if not all V-8 parts suppliers get these kits from Vintique.

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Originally Posted by TJ

Double check with Drake as most if not all V-8 parts suppliers get these kits from Vintique.

See post #23 above on this thread...looks like Bob Drake makes their own

[thirt4]

When restoring my coupe, I had these very same problems. Channels from Vintique.
I went online and either here on FB or Early V8 Club, I found a couple of nice gentlemen that sold me spare originals they had.
I made the quick decision to buy from them and have never regretted it. The originals are perfect and work correctly.
Good luck on getting anything made in China to work very long.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Scott H in Wheaton

See post #23 above on this thread...looks like Bob Drake makes their own

Double check on that, because the last ones I got from Drake were Vintique. Bought them about 6 months ago.

[FrankWest]

I try to avoid Vintique at all costs! I would rather make my own parts than use Vintique.

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Originally Posted by TJ

Double check on that, because the last ones I got from Drake were Vintique. Bought them about 6 months ago.

Thanks...I sent them a message.
Trying to avoid the headaches everyone else seems to be having with Vintique, or is it Junktique?

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by felix37

The Sad thing is there is a big sticker on the box that says Made in the USA !!!

Maybe they were bulk made in Peru shipped to the US and packaged in the US and labeled made in the USA...The package that is, not the contents.

[Scott H in Wheaton]

"Scott thank you for the inquiry the window channel kit for your application
is a Bob Drake made kit we offer two versions our part numbers are
50-45983-PU-A OR 50-45983-PU-B Thank You"

This was the reply to the email I sent today.

[Ramjet]

Has anyone had an issue with a 34 glass channel being too long? I've got the Bob Drake kit installed with the really deep door channels front and rear and it appears that the glass channel is just too long. So long in fact that I can't roll up the window fully.

[V12Bill]

Originally Posted by walt dupont--me.

i've never got anything that says vintique on the package that has been anygood. Walt

x2!

[lotsagas4u]

Originally Posted by Walt Dupont--Me.

I've never got anything that says Vintique on the package that has been anygood. Walt

You are spelling it wrong, its Junktique

[johnboy34]

Originally Posted by Ramjet

Has anyone had an issue with a 34 glass channel being too long? I've got the Bob Drake kit installed with the really deep door channels front and rear and it appears that the glass channel is just too long. So long in fact that I can't roll up the window fully.

If you are talking about the metal glass channel they are most definitely too long! That same part can be used for front and rear 34 sedan and rear 35 to 40. Get the V8 Ford Club 34 book and it has the sizes you can use for reference.
PS. I also found that the post and lock screw for moving the window back is not right also.

This book https://www.bobdrake.com/FordItem.aspx?Item=V8-33

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...indow+channels

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...indow+channels

[Ramjet]

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Thanks very much for the reply. I've been doing a lot of experimentation with the screw position, not that much success. Someone posted a stock window and channel with dimensions for the 5w. Mine were the same, but I had to cut them down, so it must be that the aftermarket window channel kit (door parts) don't match stock.thanks for the links, I'll get busy and read them.

[Krylon32]

Reread this post and as a thought, we have been using the fuzzy side of bulk glue on Velcro for the horizontal strips that stop the glass from rattling side to side.