Windscreen rubbers
- Thread starter hindsight
- Start date
proboscis8
New Member
I had a front windscreen rubber fitted from Wins International. It looked like an excellent pre-shaped product, but the fitters couldn't get it to seat properly in the upper corners around the curved chrome trim. Of course, this could be the fitter's problem. Its watertight, but doesn't look great on close inspection.
Rust may be an issue where water gets trapped under the chrome trims. I had to have some minor welding done before the rubbers were fitted.
Have you changed the seals yet?
Cheers, Paul.
Rust may be an issue where water gets trapped under the chrome trims. I had to have some minor welding done before the rubbers were fitted.
Have you changed the seals yet?
Cheers, Paul.
Phil Robson
Well-Known Member
I have refitted seals several times & even genuine ones don't seem to fit tremendously well. However, I have said on here in the past, I don't think a really tight fit is required from a water point of view. More often than not, if water is apparently getting in from the front screen area it will usually be through rust holes in the A-pillars.
My Rover had to have the windscreen replaced in December 1986 (goodness, 30 years ago). I was on my P plates (provisional licence, having started driving a year earlier). A car going in the opposite direction through up a stone and the windscreen went white. Rather confronting at 50 to 60mph (80 - 100kph) on an unfamiliar country road. :shock:
Once back in Sydney, the screen was replaced with a laminated item, which is still in place today. The fitment of the original rubber around the stainless corner piece on the L/H side was not the same as it was originally. There was and still is a slim crescent visible, where the rubber no longer covered the trim as it had when it left the factory. It is minor, and most people would not notice, but I do.
Given that there was no crescent originally, the rubber could not be to blame.
Ron.
Once back in Sydney, the screen was replaced with a laminated item, which is still in place today. The fitment of the original rubber around the stainless corner piece on the L/H side was not the same as it was originally. There was and still is a slim crescent visible, where the rubber no longer covered the trim as it had when it left the factory. It is minor, and most people would not notice, but I do.
Given that there was no crescent originally, the rubber could not be to blame.
Ron.
mtb_tuli
Active Member
Just wanted to start a post about the same experience. Fitting new front screen rubber, I have also a gap between rubber and chrome panels at the top edges (with screen supports in the top position), so it´s more or less ok.
I think, it´s necessary to use a proper mastic for screen sealing in order to hold rust away from the A-post. For sure, not at the chrome parts, but between new seal and body. On my car, there was no bottom support channel installed and so no rubber with the channel. Instead of this, a huge amount of some mastic, which was not proper for screens. It took me 3-4 days to cut off all this stuff. Due to the missing bottom channel rubber, water always came down to the bulkhead and finally into the passenger floor, I think, at the heater box. Seems like the bulkhead insulation holds water also. Next days I will take out the heater and see what rust level looks to me :roll:
I think, it´s necessary to use a proper mastic for screen sealing in order to hold rust away from the A-post. For sure, not at the chrome parts, but between new seal and body. On my car, there was no bottom support channel installed and so no rubber with the channel. Instead of this, a huge amount of some mastic, which was not proper for screens. It took me 3-4 days to cut off all this stuff. Due to the missing bottom channel rubber, water always came down to the bulkhead and finally into the passenger floor, I think, at the heater box. Seems like the bulkhead insulation holds water also. Next days I will take out the heater and see what rust level looks to me :roll:
drabbers
Active Member
I need to replace the screen rubbers on my car but noticed quite a lot of 'bad press' for repro ones.
I have a 'donor' parts car which was dry stored for 25 years - screen rubbers are soft and fit well - so will use these rather than repro ones.
The best windscreen sealant would be traditional black non setting type.
Mark.
I have a 'donor' parts car which was dry stored for 25 years - screen rubbers are soft and fit well - so will use these rather than repro ones.
The best windscreen sealant would be traditional black non setting type.
Mark.