9 replies to this topic

[mk=john]

Hi
I have just fitted my front and rear screens, but forgot to use sealing mastic......sounds a bit silly really.

I havn't yet put the locking strips into the rubbers yet, so will it be possible to squeeze the sealing mastic in the seals? Do I need to use it at all?

Thanks
John

[samsfern]

i didnt use it on my front windscreen seal when i had the screen out so i could paint the front end, mine doesnt leak, if your worried about it, maybe you could lift the seal up slightly and smear a bit of vasoline in there?

[1984mini25]

I’ve normally only found the seals leak when the water runs down into the corners, under the glass in the seal and then into the car.

I’ve always only sealed up both sides and along the bottom before putting the fillet strip in, as he one time I took the screen out and didn’t bother to reseal, it leaked Lol.

[samsfern]

suppose it depends how smooth the surface it seals up against is.

[stardude]

i didnt use it on my front windscreen seal when i had the screen out so i could paint the front end, mine doesnt leak, if your worried about it, maybe you could lift the seal up slightly and smear a bit of vasoline in there?

vaseline isnt what you want to use, as it degrades rubber and it will shorted the life of the seal.

[dklawson]

John, you should not need anything between the seal and the car body (assuming the metal and paint were in good condition). As mentioned above, water can collect in the corners and flow between the glass and the seal. What I use in those situations is called "flowable silicone". This is a gummy RTV that is thinner than what you use on gaskets. It stays soft and is easier to remove later should you need to take the glass out. Permatex and DOW both sell the stuff in the U.S., I don't know who sells it in the U.K. You squirt a thin bead of the sealant between the rubber and glass before fitting the locking strip. Once the lock strip is fitted you go back and wipe off any excess that is squeezed out.

[1984mini25]

As above but i use non setting windscreen sealant (can get it in motorseve as your local)

[dklawson]

I switched to the flowable silicone after the last time I used the bitumen/butyl type sealer goo. The black stuff can be very messy and can stain light colored paint if you mistakenly use it between the rubber and car body as I did. Yuck!

[mk=john]

I switched to the flowable silicone after the last time I used the bitumen/butyl type sealer goo. The black stuff can be very messy and can stain light colored paint if you mistakenly use it between the rubber and car body as I did. Yuck!

Hi Doug
I looked on Ebay UK and found permatex flowable silicon. They import it from the U.S. I have bought 2 tubes, more than enough I think.

Thanks
John

[dklawson]

Two tubes will go a long way. Remember that if the rubber seal is new you shouldn't need the silicone between the seal and car body (assuming the car body is not rough with corrosion). You will only need to put a little bit between the glass and the rubber prior to fitting the locking strip.

Be sure to post back when you're done and let us know how it worked for you.