280SL Windscreen Surround Top Joining Strip

[neelyrc]

Today when preparing for an afternoon ride in the Spring sunshine I noticed that the chrome joining strip of the windshield surround had moved off center exposing the rubber underneath rather than covering the ends of the left and right surround chrome.  This is the joining strip at the center top of the windshield. I carefully slid the strip back into position so that it covered the ends of the left and right chrome surround pieces. It is not sufficiently loose to move easily but it probably needs some sort of adhesive to hold it firmly in place.

There appears to be a sticky mastic substance underneath the joining strip to hold it in the correct centered position. It has apparently lost some of its holding strength after 49 years. Any suggestion as to what I might use as replacement for this substance?

[mclewis]

I have the same problem with my joining strip, but I cannot get it back into place.  It won't slide over the currently uncovered part of the chrome strip.  How did you manage to slide the joining strip over the exposed end?

At least on my 1968 280SL, I'm not sure there is residual adhesive or just almost 5 decades of accumulated detritus.

Marc

[neelyrc]

Marc, I was able to put enough horizontal pressure on the closing strip with my thumbs and forefingers to move the strip back into the correct position. The sticky compound under the strip was flexible enough to allow this movement.  I then cleaned off the excess compound.  I will watch it for awhile and see if it moves again or if the sticky compound holds it in place.

If you are unable to slide your closing strip back into position in this manner, I would consider the very  gentle application of a little heat with a heat gun or hair dryer to see if this might loosen it enough to allow movement. If this doesn't work, I would consider a little more mechanical force. Try holding a piece of hardwood (say 1/4 inch dowel with a square cut end) against the strip as a softener. Tap gently alternating between top, middle and bottom of the strip. You may need a helper to put a little downward pressure on the exposed end of the surround you are trying to cover.  If this doesn't resolve the problem, I am out of suggestions.    Perhaps others could chime in.

[mclewis]

Thank you for the suggestions, Ralph.

[Jordan]

Ralph, try a weatherstrip adhesive like 3M.  It is waterproof, stays flexible and holds things in place pretty good.  Slide the piece back, apply some adhesive and slide it back into place and clean up any adhesive that is still present.  Some of it should get under the strip to hold it in place once it sets.

[neelyrc]

Thanks Marcus, I'm sure this is the best way to go.  The old compound seems to be holding for now but I am pretty sure I will need to renew it before long.

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Guys,
It is somehow quite common for those little blighters to move on ghier own and then stick like hell and won’t go back.
As mentioned before, use a piece hard wood and eventually it will budge. You could wrap a screw driver blade with masking tape and give it a few light taps until it moves.
Good luck,
Chris