Windshield Rubber

[acbrock]

Man I have having a battle getting the new Rubber on the windshield.  Any tips for anyone that has done it?  I see so many different things online?  Should I put a little grease on it?  Heat up the rubber?  Or is it just a rough task?
Thanks
A

[Duncan200]

Warming it up definitely helps and also a small plastic door trim tool to flip the top/outer edge up over the screen.

I started on the two sides, then worked my way along the top and bottom, wriggling the seal on.

It is tedious, but once it starts going on, it becomes a little easier, if that makes sense?

Doug

[Cees Klumper]

Kampala and I put in a new windshield rubber a few years ago and it wasn't too bad. As I recall we intitially put it on backwards, it's not that intuitive. We did use some seal lubricant I had left over from the windshield seals replacement I did on my son's 240Z, I recommend this stuff for any weatherstrip installation that is 'tight':

https://zcardepot.com/products/copy-of-windshield-weatherstrip-trim-plastic-install-tool

[kampala]

Kampala and I put in a new windshield rubber a few years ago and it wasn't too bad.

Yes.  It went quite smoothly . Fit rubber around windshield (the right way), push-in the metal trim onto the rubber, insert the rope into the rubber, then offer the windshield to the car and line up and make sure rope is inside car.  One person gently pushes on the windshield from outside and the other person pulls the rope carefully on the inside. 

Lots of info on this forum and on YouTube for similar set ups.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=34403.msg252317#msg252317

[Duncan200]

Forgot to mention I used windex as my lubricant to fit the seal.

[acbrock]

Off this has been a task!  But used a couple different ideas mentioned.  Finally got it on and it was not fitting into the car so I thought I did something wrong.  So instead of pushing too hard I just started over.  Funny how easy things are the 2nd time!  So got the rubber on in about 1/2 working in the sun with some warm soapy water..... now.....

So the aluminum trim.   It is 95% in.  Lifts a little on 2 of the corners...  What is the best way to deal with this?  I have some clamps on it right now.  Should I just let it sit?  Or is there a way to help the aluminum mold into the rubber?  Heat?  Just pressure?  Or do I need to take out and reform it?

(extra side question...  My aluminum is pretty dull.   How would I polish this up?  I read that it is not like the rest of then chrome and it is anodized?

[Duncan200]

Yes they are aluminium that is polished and then anodised.

[acbrock]

IN!  Wow what a beast.  So I took the aluminum off and remolded it and let the rubber sit for a couple days until it was holding.  Got the aluminum in and was so excited I took it right to the car.  Put it on! Realized I forgot the damn string.  So off it went string in and then went for it.  String broke twice but I could always grab a little and poof it finally popped in!  Very excited.

Anodized... Is it possible to shine this up?  I will read around and see if I can find a way.  It is pretty dull but not going to worry about it now.

[acbrock]

Ah looks like I have to just strip it and then polish and keep polishing to keep it looking nice.

[RAY]

Dont think you will be able to "polish" up the anodised aluminium, the anodising seals the aluminium.

You would have to get it stripped and re-anodised.

Buying new ones are an arm & a leg

[Duncan200]

There are special Anodised Aluminium polishes.

https://autosol.com.au/product-range/anodised-aluminium-polish-75ml/

It doesn’t damage the anodising. That’s if the anodising is still present.

As Ray said to do it properly you would need to polish them then get them re-anodised.

[Pawel66]

In the Mercedes restoration world here (where quite a lot of cars is restored for Europe and the US), the people who do the job will tell you:
1. Rubber - buy from Mercedes if only possible
2. Rubber lubrication - grab a dishwashing liquid from your kitchen or use other type of soap solution
3. Windshield wedge dull or damaged - buy a new one, do not bother. Also applies to other anodised aluminum parts. Only if it is possible to buy them of course. Otherwise they have their ways to help you, but it is cheaper and better to buy new ones.

Of course "cheaper" does not apply if you do it yourself for pleasure.

[Duncan200]

Oh well, I’m glad I didn’t speak to the people who do the job in the states and saved myself some money.

I had absolutely no problem in Australia getting my trims polished and re anodised.