Windshield gasket repair

[Richard RV]

I'm restoring a '76 PB, windshields are out, and the windshield gasket has partial tears in both upper outer corners. The tears are on the inner
edges and ~1/2 of the gasket width on both interior and exterior lips. Other than that the gasket is in great shape.

I'm concerned about the gasket tearing more/completely during installation. If it tore completely during installation I'd be screwed. Just using
windshield caulk to fill the gaps, whether during or after installation, doesn't do it for me.

The questions:
- what material is the gasket? Neoprene? EPDM? Other...?
- has anyone used the cyanoacrylate adhesives such as 3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive, or Loctite 401 that glue elastomeric
materials?

TIA

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn

 

[Jim Hupy]

My advice would be to replace those old gaskets. Contact our suppliers,
Applied GMC, or Jim Bounds in Florida, or Steele Rubber, or your local
glass installer who does big trucks and motorhomes. A leaky windshield is
no fun at all.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

> I'm restoring a '76 PB, windshields are out, and the windshield gasket has
> partial tears in both upper outer corners. The tears are on the inner
> edges and ~1/2 of the gasket width on both interior and exterior lips.
> Other than that the gasket is in great shape.
>
> I'm concerned about the gasket tearing more/completely during
> installation. If it tore completely during installation I'd be screwed.
> Just using
> windshield caulk to fill the gaps, whether during or after installation,
> doesn't do it for me.
>
> The questions:
> - what material is the gasket? Neoprene? EPDM? Other...?
> - has anyone used the cyanoacrylate adhesives such as 3M Scotch-Weld
> Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive, or Loctite 401 that glue elastomeric
> materials?
>
> TIA
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[jim kanomata1]

You can always take the path of least cost, but we had poor experience.
we carry New gaskets

> My advice would be to replace those old gaskets. Contact our suppliers,
> Applied GMC, or Jim Bounds in Florida, or Steele Rubber, or your local
> glass installer who does big trucks and motorhomes. A leaky windshield is
> no fun at all.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>

>
> > I'm restoring a '76 PB, windshields are out, and the windshield gasket
> has
> > partial tears in both upper outer corners. The tears are on the inner
> > edges and ~1/2 of the gasket width on both interior and exterior lips.
> > Other than that the gasket is in great shape.
> >
> > I'm concerned about the gasket tearing more/completely during
> > installation. If it tore completely during installation I'd be screwed.
> > Just using
> > windshield caulk to fill the gaps, whether during or after installation,
> > doesn't do it for me.
> >
> > The questions:
> > - what material is the gasket? Neoprene? EPDM? Other...?
> > - has anyone used the cyanoacrylate adhesives such as 3M Scotch-Weld
> > Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive, or Loctite 401 that glue elastomeric
> > materials?
> >
> > TIA
> >
> > Richard
> > --
> > '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> > '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> > ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[Ken B]

I am sorry, I did not get back to you quickly. It is a little late now. I will call Paul in the AM. We might setup a 3 way call when I find him. I
received your emailed tech bulletin. Lots of non-GMC things going on here.

What ever you do NOT USE SILICONE on it.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[Richard RV]

No worries, Ken, I know you're a busy guy. I appreciate your reaching out to Paul for me. As far as using silicone caulk, I wouldn't dream of it -
stuff is a nightmare and I think a license should be required before you can use it on an RV!

Jim H, thanks for the idea to call Steele Rubber. I found out that the windshield gasket (apparently weatherstrip is their preferred term) is EPDM
and they bond (glue) the preformed 90° corners to the straight runs.

Jim K, are you calling me cheap...? Oh, right, we've met! The tears aren't that bad and I think most installers would just use the gasket as
is and let the 3M Window Weld fill the gaps. I'm not eager to remove the center support pillar to remove the gasket and install a new one, roof has
to be supported... won't do it unless it's absolutely necessary. The side windows have that rubber glazing strip that always shrinks in length no
matter how careful you are to push it into place instead of pulling on it. Some people just fill those gaps with caulking or a wad of butyl, others
cut short little pieces of the rubber glazing stop to fill in. It would be good to know what adhesive to use to bond the end of the little pieces to
the existing. I'm willing to do research.

Thanks for the input, gentlemen!

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn

 

[jim kanomata1]

Richard,
At my age and dealing with tons of people, I do not stop to see if I am
being offensive as I am 79 years old,Veteran, two college Degrees and
certified in Engines and Air Filters.
I refer to even my better friend as a Son of a B.
Never take what I refer to you seriously, as I respect All people more than
those that speak and address properly.
Even a Total Ass H has a part of him I respect.

> No worries, Ken, I know you're a busy guy. I appreciate your reaching out
> to Paul for me. As far as using silicone caulk, I wouldn't dream of it -
> stuff is a nightmare and I think a license should be required before you
> can use it on an RV!
>
> Jim H, thanks for the idea to call Steele Rubber. I found out that the
> windshield gasket (apparently weatherstrip is their preferred term) is EPDM
> and they bond (glue) the preformed 90° corners to the straight runs.
>
> Jim K, are you calling me cheap...? Oh, right, we've met! The tears
> aren't that bad and I think most installers would just use the gasket as
> is and let the 3M Window Weld fill the gaps. I'm not eager to remove the
> center support pillar to remove the gasket and install a new one, roof has
> to be supported... won't do it unless it's absolutely necessary. The side
> windows have that rubber glazing strip that always shrinks in length no
> matter how careful you are to push it into place instead of pulling on
> it. Some people just fill those gaps with caulking or a wad of butyl,
> others
> cut short little pieces of the rubber glazing stop to fill in. It would
> be good to know what adhesive to use to bond the end of the little pieces to
> the existing. I'm willing to do research.
>
> Thanks for the input, gentlemen!
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[Ken B]

OK, I talked to Paul late this afternoon. He said clean the gasket thoroughly. NO SILICONE USE ONLY URETHANE. He said there are several ways to
approach but he likes the following the best:

1. Prepare the windshield. Seal the edges of the glass. After they dry, clean the glass on both sides on the outer 3 or 4 inches.

2. Install the gasket on the coach and tack it there lightly in a few spots with a very light coat of urethane to temporarily hold it in place. It
could be taped in place with maskiing tape. You do not want any urethane in the tracks. If it hardens there you will not be able to install the
windshield

3. Glue the broken seams together with Urethane and shove the gasket tightly into the corner(s). Check to make sure there is no globs of urethane in
the track where you glued it in the corner(s).

Have several cans of FOAMING window cleaner available. The FOAM is important as you are going to use it as a lubricant as you install the window.
They use exclusively Pilkington brand but any good foaming cleaner should work.

4. Foam the entire track all the way around. then side the window into the track from the outside towards the center. I have never done this part
but I have watched at least 50 of them being installed over the years. It is harder to do than I imply here. You want too get the window installed
entirely in the track ASAP so it will force the gasket into it's final position before the urethane sets up permanently.

5. Go back to step 1 and repeat everything on the second window.

6. After step 5. is done on both sides you can seal the outside of the window to the gasket with Urethane and the top and sides of the gasket to the
body with urethane. I know you have seen them do this several times before. Do not delay installing the lock bead because it forces the gasket up
tightly against the window. Install the lock bead immediately after putting the urethane into the window to gasket gap andg before it sets up.

Richard, feel free to call or email me. I only posted this here because I thought other GMCers might be interested.

Ken B.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[Richard RV]

Ken, thanks very much! That's exactly what I was hoping to learn - it's doable. I doubt there's anyone on the planet that has more experience
installing GMC windshields than Paul, so, yes, I am taking his directions to the bank!

I have a curious and fortuitous situation here. The PO put in an insurance claim for the two windshields and then never got around to actually
getting the windshields and having them installed. That was 12 years ago. When I bought the coach he contacted his insurance agent and exercised the
claim...and they honored it! It's good to be on Great terms with your insurance agent.

I'll be having the local auto glass shop do the installation here in the barn with my assistance/direction/kibitzing.

Thanks again for being a prime example of why I say, "They come for the hardware and stay for the people."

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn

 

[Richard RV]

Jim, I never take offense where none is intended...and when it's intended I reckon they're being a fundamental orifice and ignore it!

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn