Windshield rubber seal

[lfg]

Any ideas on the best way to remove the old rubber seal on a windshield frame? I want to remove it without spreading the steel lip but the rubber is very hard yet doesn't want to break up under the lip. Is there something that will soften the rubber?

Thanks, Larry

[Doug in NJ]

Are you trying to preserve the finish of the frame? Is the glass in place?
If "yes", it will probably be a pretty tedious job. You might try sharpening a small screwdriver to make a narrow chisel, and slowly chip the stuff away. If "no", you can use more aggressive methods :-)

I recently needed to get the old hardened rubber out from my side window glass channels (the metal part that goes across the bottom of the glass). I threw all of them in the barbecue, set to high, for 30 minutes. All the grease, paint, and rubber was cremated, and they just need a brief session in my bead-blaster to remove the rust and scale.

Doug

[Tom from Drippin']

On the two I've done, which involved repainting so I wasn't concerned about harming the finish, I slightly spread the channel and used a small screwdriver as a chisel with a small hammer to dislodge the old rubber. It came out in both large and small chunks. I seem to remember that it's also held in place by the channel being staked in several spots. You may find that you need to open the channel slightly to install the new rubber and restake to secure.

[lfg]

The glass has been removed and the frame separated in 2 pieces (after much difficulty). The frame will need to be bead blasted and painted so I am not worried about the finish now. The BBQ sounds like an interesting idea but I wonder about warping.

Thanks for the ideas.

Larry

[Bud BC]

I used a heat gun and a sharp blade to strip it out.

[Doug in NJ]

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Originally Posted by lfg

The glass has been removed and the frame separated in 2 pieces (after much difficulty). The frame will need to be bead blasted and painted so I am not worried about the finish now. The BBQ sounds like an interesting idea but I wonder about warping.

Thanks for the ideas.

Larry

Interesting coincidence: I'm also in the process of bead-blasting my disassembled windshield frame. The rubber issue did not arise for me, because a previous owner had replaced the rubber strips. Unfortunately he used the wrong type (not the thicker ones specific to the S/W windshield frame), and he had simply repainted some rusty areas with rattle-can block paint.

BTW, bead-blasting will NOT get rid of stuck-on rubber bits. The beads just bounce off them.

Personally, I would not worry about warping, as long as you do not do anything silly like quenching it in water. The baking technique is used to clean engine blocks before rebuilding them.

But you may have trouble finding a big enough barbecue.

Doug

[LeRoycoupe/N.Y.]

I just did my windshied. Soaked it for two weeks with WD40.Two pieces (saved glass for pattern). Started at noon done at 4:00. Sides were easy, bottom bad bad.Used a small ball pein hammer & Craftsman tack puller.Pliers & Screwdrivers too.Turned out GREAT.

[Doug in NJ]

Originally Posted by LeRoycoupe/N.Y.

I just did my windshied. Soaked it for two weeks with WD40.Two pieces (saved glass for pattern). Started at noon done at 4:00. Sides were easy, bottom bad bad.Used a small ball pein hammer & Craftsman tack puller.Pliers & Screwdrivers too.Turned out GREAT.

Have you reassembled your windshield yet? I am curious how you get the rubber setting strip in the correct position while sliding the glass into place,
and what sorts of sealant should be used.

Doug

[LeRoycoupe/N.Y.]

This was done today.Plain glass in windshield.Had to save glass for pattern. Windshieldto be cleaned & pained first.

[Ron in Quincy]

I wouldn't spread the channel, take your time, you can get it removed; an old saying " "hast makes waste" and window frames are no longer cheap.

Ron