Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

[James W.]

The original windshield in my '65 leaks along the top. I'm planning to pull the outer stainless trim and find where it is leaking at. I have no intentions of disturbing the windshield and would like to know what is the best product to seal the leak(s) without there being an issue with reinstalling the stainless trim. Once it is fixed, I'm planning to put the 3M strip caulk sealer in the joint between the stainless trim and the body.

Thanks,

James

[Donald H.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

3M Auto Bedding and Glazing Compound, 08509

• Designed for creating seal between rubber windshield gasket and auto body
• Non-hardening synthetic rubber-based formula is ideal as a glass bedding
• Suitable for use as supplementary sealer for auto glass
• Non-sagging properties are excellent for overhead and vertical auto seals

[James W.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

Don,

Thanks for the reply and information. I was leaning toward using a product like that but wanted to hear from others who may have done the same thing.

Regards,

James

3M Auto Bedding and Glazing Compound, 08509

• Designed for creating seal between rubber windshield gasket and auto body
• Non-hardening synthetic rubber-based formula is ideal as a glass bedding
• Suitable for use as supplementary sealer for auto glass
• Non-sagging properties are excellent for overhead and vertical auto seals

[Stewart L.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

It is unlikely you will be able to get the stainless trim back on without pulling the windshield and cleaning all the factory sealant out. Slice the weatherstrip outer channel off first with a razor blade so you have good access to release the clips and get the trim off without damaging it. Once you have the trim off, then you can just lift the windshield out.
first thing you might try is to remove the inner trim, see where the water is coming in and try to seal it from the inside without removing the windshield.

[James W.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

I'm not going to try to remove the original windshield. If it can't be corrected with the windshield in place then it will just have to leak.

James

It is unlikely you will be able to get the stainless trim back on without pulling the windshield and cleaning all the factory sealant out. Slice the weatherstrip outer channel off first with a razor blade so you have good access to release the clips and get the trim off without damaging it. Once you have the trim off, then you can just lift the windshield out.
first thing you might try is to remove the inner trim, see where the water is coming in and try to seal it from the inside without removing the windshield.

[Paul S.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

You may 'open a can of worms' trying to seal it up. I agree .dont try and take the moldings off and think you'll get them back on . I dont think there is a chance they'll go back on right

[Ken R.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

Back in the day, my brand new 65 coupe front windshield leaked like a sheave. I finally worked up enough nerve (dealer was afraid to touch it) to get the proper tool and take off the upper SS trim. Tool is a "hook" tip that releases the clip. Found out that the GM employees, one each side of car, must have thought the other one would caulk the center area. There was no caulk for about 18" across the top. Rain water would hit the W/S and travel up into the SS trim and into the car. When I went around a corner, the water would pour onto my wife's feet. But the caulk of that time sealed the the leak. Maybe your problem is similar. Dealer also shimmed up the door gasket with roofing felt at front area in front of side vent window where you could see daylight from inside the car.

[Bill M.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

Jim are you worried about the cage rusting?

[James W.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

Nope. The car never sees rain and I blow the water out from under the windshield molding with compressed air after I take it to the car wash. I'm just tired of the water running out of the interior trim molding after it is washed. I always take towels with me to catch the dripping water.

Jim are you worried about the cage rusting?

[James W.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

Ken,

Thanks for the info. I've done some "controlled" leak testing starting at the base of the windshield and there are no leaks at the lower areas when inspecting the frame from under the dash with the glove box out. It drips inside only when water is dribbled sparingly along the top of the windshield trim. I know an old school body shop guy that has the correct "hook" tool to remove the stainless trim.

James

Back in the day, my brand new 65 coupe front windshield leaked like a sheave. I finally worked up enough nerve (dealer was afraid to touch it) to get the proper tool and take off the upper SS trim. Tool is a "hook" tip that releases the clip. Found out that the GM employees, one each side of car, must have thought the other one would caulk the center area. There was no caulk for about 18" across the top. Rain water would hit the W/S and travel up into the SS trim and into the car. When I went around a corner, the water would pour onto my wife's feet. But the caulk of that time sealed the the leak. Maybe your problem is similar. Dealer also shimmed up the door gasket with roofing felt at front area in front of side vent window where you could see daylight from inside the car.

[Mark E.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

Nope. The car never sees rain and I blow the water out from under the windshield molding with compressed air after I take it to the car wash. I'm just tired of the water running out of the interior trim molding after it is washed. I always take towels with me to catch the dripping water.

I don't even run my wife's car through a carwash. If you have a garage queen or even an occasional driver, drywashing is much easier on the finish and of course doesn't introduce moisture that causes rust. It's been over a year since I took a hose to my car. With proper care and by avoiding driving in inclement weather, you won't even care if the car has a water leak.

[Bill M.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

in 45 years of fooling with old cars and office buildings one of the many things i have learned is that leaks do not fix themselves. water loves to eat everything. water will cause damage 1" or 100' away from the point of entry. especially when it finds a nice little spot to sit in and take a month to evaporate.

[James W.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

This car is not or ever will be a trailer queen, trailers are for horses. It has been on a few national road tours beck in the mid 1980's when owned by my parents. With the exception of a repaint in 1977 and some regular maintenance the car is original. I am in the process of rebuilding the rear differential and trailing arms so it will be road worthy for a future flight judging and road tours which may be run in the rain, hence the reason I want to fix the windshield leak.

James

in 45 years of fooling with old cars and office buildings one of the many things i have learned is that leaks do not fix themselves. water loves to eat everything. water will cause damage 1" or 100' away from the point of entry. especially when it finds a nice little spot to sit in and take a month to evaporate.

[Bill M.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

Like the luggage rack. I am going to be building a bike rack out of a trailer hitch and an old pair of bumpers for my 67

[John D.]

Re: Original Windshield Leakage Repairs???

There are pics in the Corvette plant back in the day where they squirted extra sealer in the upper corner for leaks. Back when I worked in an assembly plant this stuff was often used for leak repairs. Disclaimer- Not affiliated in any way with this product.

https://www.kent-automotive.com/Kent/High-Tech-Seam-Sealer-Clear-5floz/P10200.ka