Old faded,windscreen post seals,repairs.

[wayne R]

Thought i would show a few tips to repair those old faded front windscreen post seals.
Take a look at my original drill cloth that has turned white and  mostly worn and gone.
As long as the actual rubber is still sound and in good condition,all that is required is
Adhesive backed Bow drill cloth,comes in 5 inches x 5 ft and  under $30, and very easy to apply.
Prep the old  seal first with prepsol wax ,greese, remover,then cut the bow drill cloth approx 1/2
bigger than required,this material is very thin like tissue paper,so start at front outside  edge from top to bottom
then gradully  move around to  inside  chanel,then to the inside,rubbing with a small blunt edge srewdriver
up and down, then trim with very sharp  blade knife or swissors.--finished ,you wont believe the differents,
it lasts for years and does not  move it is also used for around convertble seals on all GM products,im not ,
going to do my top seals, as i have only ever had my top up about 3 times.Cloth is available at ---www.oldbuickparts.com
New Jeysey, Go to top left-up to 1960, then go to Group13 convertble tops, then go convertible tops. parts.--- few photos ,regards.
 

[wayne R]

Few more photos---Hope it helps anybody thank you.

[Pawel66]

I think this is a very good tip, thank you!

I think this may also apply to the B-pillar seals.

What is the Bow drill tape?

I remember this was my biggest issue - to find a proper material. I remember I found a grip tape for bicycles and/or for tennis racket. What is yours exactly?

[wayne R]

I think this is a very good tip, thank you!

I think this may also apply to the B-pillar seals.

What is the Bow drill tape?

I remember this was my biggest issue - to find a proper material. I remember I found a grip tape for bicycles and/or for tennis racket. What is yours exactly?

Sorry  Pawel i should have called Cloth, it is actually very light thin  weaved canvas,yes you are correct,
used for all B pillars, the bow drill cloth is for the main  members on all,Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile  convertible tops, see my original page
follow my instructions  at  old buick parts,and take alook,it shows seals ,cloth, sizes,etc regards.

[wayne R]

Before and After,----photos

[Pawel66]

Thank you!

I certainly looked through your first post, I just had no idea what "Bow drill cloth" might be. My poor English, sorry.

Now I googled it and I know. I did not know it existed: bowdrill cloth tape. I wonder if there is an equivalent in Europe...

https://www.steelerubber.com/bowdrill-cloth-tape-70-1172-65

[Dave H]

Thanks for the tip Wayne, just ordered some from    garyk@oldbuickparts.com. 
Gary was very helpfull, I  had been looking for a product like this for ages but did not know you could get it, bow drill cloth , who knew , thanks again Wayne

[mnahon]

Do others with later model 280SLs have this fabric covering on these seals? The seals on my car seem to be plain rubber.

[66andBlue]

Hi,
the A-post seals on all models should be cloth covered to allow smooth up and down movement of the window glass. Without the cloth the rubber can also bake onto the glass on a very hot day. If you buy the seal new from MB it will be cloth covered, if you buy aftermarket, e.g. URO, then it is just bare rubber.
In that case you might treat the rubber with a solvent-free lubricant (no silicone!). PFPE oil such as Krytox GPL-105 or 106 are a good choice; these oils also come as grease when mixed with PTFE particles. You can also get them as a roll-on stick applicator which I like.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Krytox-GPL-106-PFPE-Oil-14g-Auto-Roof-Door-Weatherstripping-Rubber-Lubricant-105/251863267449

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gummi-Pflege-Stift-Rubber-Care-Stick-3-4-fl-oz-3-4-fl-oz/222277543050?

[mrfatboy]

I think the newer URO A pillar seals have a fuzzy velour type coating.  Better than plain rubber but still not like OEM fabric. 

[Dave H]

Was it just  A post seals which were originally cloth covered ?
What about the B posts on the hard and soft top?

[Pawel66]

I remember a discussion on this Forum where it was said that in the past both A and B pillars seals were fabric coated. Now B seals are plain rubber. But A seals, when I bought them from Mercedes 6 years ago, were still fabric coated.

[Garry]

Wayne,


Just tried to order some of the tape but they wanted only $12usd for it but $30usd to send from US.


Did you get it here or USa?

[Dave H]

Garry
After much searching I ordered mine a couple of days ago from garyk@oldbuickparts.com. 
2.5 ‘ wide was $15, 5’ wide was $29, I opted for the 5 inch wide.
Same $30 dollar postage to the UK though.

[Garry]

Thanks Dave.  It was the $30 usd that made me balk at purchasing. I will ask if they will send usps rather than usp.It should be half that cost.

[wayne R]

Sorry just found it,    busy--, thanks for your help Dave,and  Garry i still had that piece
left over from my days with Buicks and Cadillacs, it is actually about  25 years old,
had it all that time from when in USA.
Yes you are correct the shipping price to Ausy is crazy,i just in last couple of weeks ago,
i purchased a  small  SK Wayne  10mm antique wrench,to complete my set, $10, but the shipping was  $17,
through ebays now global  shipping system.   regards .

[Benz280]

So the question may be, do you replace seal or go with the tape ?

[GM]

Or, if it's just the fading you're concerned about, shoe polish works great!