12 replies to this topic

[matt050990]

Hey all

I have just got all my windows back in on new rubber seals, what is the best way to get the chrome trim inserts into the rubbers?

I have some old versions of the tools used to insert them but it doesn't seem to help much.

I can either get the tool in the groove and it won't move or it won't get in there at all.

Anyone have any tips on doing these?

Cheers
Matt

[Cooperman]

Use the correct tool and lubricate the groove with 'Fairy Liquid'. I did one only last Monday, not a Mini but a much larger screen.

[big-jay]

Hi,

You need one of these - http://www.minispare...|Back to search

You also need to use some kind of lube to ease fitment and help the tool slide along inside the rubber channel. I find laundry soap or washing up liquid is good, or you can use a silicon based spray.

Another person to help guide the insert as your fitting will make things easier aswell.

[Tupers]

I use this exact tool with the 3rd tip from the left fitted. Clicky

 

Once the seal and screen are in a wet the grove down with warm water using an atomiser to help the tool move through the rubber. 

Most interests are oversized by a few inches so I start around an inch over centre at the top and push the tool anti clockwise around the rubber as I'm right handed. You should be able to push to tool into the rubber and get the insert threaded through it fairly easily.

Once it's in keep the tool as flat as you can to the screen, this helps open the seal more and also presses the insert in as you go. The tip for the tool is dog legged to help with this. 

You do have to apply a fairly decent amount of force to get it going and I hold the insert around an inch in front of the tool to insure it does not twist as it going and to try and catch the end of the tool if it skips out of the rubber. 

You have choose to cover the body work around the seal in masking tape to avoid making the paint the the too does skip out. 

Once I have gotten all the way around to the top I peel back the portion of the seal that is over the centre line of the car a keep working the insert in until it is roughly central and cut it still keeping it a fraction oversized. 

I then use an old flat headed screw driver that has been smoothed off to spread the seal and work the final inch or so of the insert in. 

The final set is to fit the finishing strip over the joint in the insert using the same screw driver to open the seal. 

 

It does take a lot of practise to get good at unfortunately but it's a handy skill to have. 

[matt050990]

Cheers lads, I have 2 types of tools, one big jay said about and another similar to Tupers.
I'll give it a go again tonight and make sure I give it all a good lube up.

Thanks for the help!

[Rog46]

Hi,
You need one of these - http://www.minispare...|Back to search
You also need to use some kind of lube to ease fitment and help the tool slide along inside the rubber channel. I find laundry soap or washing up liquid is good, or you can use a silicon based spray.
Another person to help guide the insert as your fitting will make things easier aswell.

I've been led to understand that houshold soaps contain salt and shouldn't be allowed near the bodywork! Use carwash instead!

[Mini Manannán]

 

Hi,
You need one of these - http://www.minispare...|Back to search
You also need to use some kind of lube to ease fitment and help the tool slide along inside the rubber channel. I find laundry soap or washing up liquid is good, or you can use a silicon based spray.
Another person to help guide the insert as your fitting will make things easier aswell.

I've been led to understand that houshold soaps contain salt and shouldn't be allowed near the bodywork! Use carwash instead!

 

 

Its reckoned that Fairly Liquid has about 5% salt in it to thicken the liquid though as it's "a trade secret" Proctor &Gamble won't disclose the exact ingredients 

[Ben_O]

It's true about the fairy liquid containing salt. You may have problems if it's left under the rubber as this is a prime rot spot anyway.

 

Best to use car wash soap.

 

I would also avoid using any silicone based sprays as this can cause problems down the line with paint reactions if you need to do any painting.

[matt050990]

Cheers lads, I'll put some car soap in there and see how that gets on.

Does anyone puy any kind of sealant around the rubber and frame to help keep the water out of there?

[Gazp]

No you won't need to seal it...may main but of advice is after fitting the strip cut it down slightly too long and leave for a few days to shrink then a final trim and insert the finishing strips...I asked someone who fits windows and they said fairy liquid is fine just use a very very weak dilute!
I also hear soaking the strip in warm water makes it more pliable so easier to manage

[minisilverbullet]

I used some multi lube not wd40 but similar. Makes light work of fitting the strip

[matt050990]

Got it all done this evening. Used car shampoo and elbow grease :)

The tool o had for doing it didn't seem to work for me so I just managed to pry it in the tap with a hammer to get it fitting snug.
Not very good practise to use a hammer next to a windscreen bey hey Ho!

[JC380]