Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:52:29 -0700
Reply-To: dylan friedman <insyncro@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: dylan friedman <insyncro@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Installing a slider window
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
BenT has hit the nail on the head.........use the wind shield install tool!
I have the removal and install versions, boy do they save time and struggle.
Mine are SnapOn so yes they were expensive, but "no names" can be had for under $20 on eBay.
The nicest thing about using the tool is that I seal all the rubbers going back in with 3m black sealant for the job. I haven't ever had to do it twice or clean up the mess from rope or whatever dragging through the sealer and getting all over the van.
If the rubbers are making a mess going back in they are sun-beaten and oxidized. Zymol rubber treatment works very well. I use new rubbers with new paint.
If you are reusing the rubbers check the seam when they joined the rubber together. If it is cracked or worn from removal it won't last long.
dylan
----- Original Message ----
From: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:20:21 PM
Subject: Re: Installing a slider window
On 6/10/08, Troy <colorworks@gci.net> wrote:
>
> I've installed a slider window in a Westy once, and ended up tearing a
> little bit of the gasket, but counted my blessings that's the worst that
> happened. Tried to install another one today, and after tearing one corner
> of the rubber, I gave up in frustration.
>
> I completely saturated the rubber seal in Vaseline. Lubed the inside of the
> grove as well. I took a piece of 3/16" nylon clothesline (also coated in
> Vaseline) and put that into the window gasket channel. I overlapped the
> clothesline by 3 or 4 inches . I inserted the bottom of the window first,
> letting the metal of the window go inside the groove. I then worked my way
> all the way around the window, pushing the rubber in as far as it would go.
> I even used a couple of squeeze clamps at the corners so the rubber did not
> pop out as I was working the rest of the window in.
>
> Everything seemed to be going fine, up until a point I got about two thirds
> of the window installed, but the rope became so tight that I ended up
> snapping it in two. My white Westy also looks pretty sick with all the black
> rubber marks all over it too!. I used some paint thinner to finally get
> everything cleaned up, as even windex would not take the stuff off.
>
> So, I'm sure the glass shops all over the world pop these things in in 15
> or 20 minutes, what I'm I doing wrong? I'm thinking of just running this
> over to an automotive windshield repair place at this point, what would be a
> reasonable cost for the service?
>
> Window installation challenged and stained black to the pores...
>
> Troy
Troy,
As others have mentioned, warm the rubber in the sun or at least work in
warm conditions when possible. Otherwise, a hair dryer can help.
You might want to start the cord from the top middle. Overlap the cords.
Don't worry about mounting the gasket completely flush until the whole
perimeter is over the metal lip. For the corners, it would help if you use
one of those windshield installation tools that look like awls that are
fashioned into a hook. If you can't get those, use a nice smooth (worn
edges) screwdriver as a substitute. Once the gasket edges are in, just push
firmly from the outside to seat the assembly or even use a rubber mallet to
pound around the edges. I would not worry too much about cracking the glass
as they are tempered. I've kicked them hard in the removable process and had
not broken a single one in dozens of operations.
BenT
|