Hello,
I posted a little while back and did find a brand new tinted 412 windsheild. The body shop did a terrible job of installing it though, and i was wondering about tackling it myself. I used the window seals from Revolks, and all are well except the front windsheild. I have installed dozens of Beetle and bus windshields, but sure want to be careful with this 412 one if i try myself.
Anyone done this/have any advice? Also i bought the seals that will take that "locking ring" or chrome strip (trying to look as vintage as possible) . Can any windsheild place install this (do they have the stock for it) ?
I also can post pics of my car somewhere for you guys to admire...I have to reassemble it, but paint and body is finally done!
Installing new 412 windsheild!
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raygreenwood
- Posts: 11906
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
I have installed several. There are some issues. First, Iam not familiar with the revolks gaskets. I hear they are nice. I used bus front windshield gaskets. They work well....but are a bit tough to get the curve on in the corners.
With the bus gasket...I had to cut it...and shorten it. I find it best...less leakage issues...to put the seam at the top.
With the 412...I found it best to install the gasket onto the glass. Make sure it is a tight snug fit. I used some acrylic caulk to adhere the gasket groove to the glass. Tape it on tight overnight.
On the 412...you will notice steel gripper clips on the vertical sides of the body in the recess for the gasket. It goes in better if you remove them. It stays in fine without them.
Lubricate the gasket with something bio-degradable. Armour all is not that good of a lubricant. Do not use WD-40 or similar.
The best I have found is glycerin based tire shine stuff. Its also generally good for the rubber.
You need a cord. Go to a good harware store. The best is a polyethylene coated cord for clotheslines. It is about 3/32 in diameter and smooth on the outside (no braid).
Where is this cord goes best...is not really in that bottom groove/flap that laps to the inside.....but under the main flap that laps over the outside.
This is because...as you pull it...it helps to pull the whoel gasket in. If you just put in the bottom groove...it sometimes snaps out.
You need someone to help.
Put the bottom edge of the windhsield in first...amke sure its centered. Keep the winshield propped up until you work the bottom flap into the inside of the car.
The cord should wrap all the way around the windshield and start and end at the bottom of the windshield in the center.
While having your assistant push downward....not toward you....but from eh top edge downward toward the groove at the bottom edge ...with about 10-15 pounds force......you pull slowly with constant tension on one end of teh cord...say going to the left. Go all the way around the lower corner curve then stop. Do teh same to teh other end of teh cord to teh right.
At ths point...since you should have been able to pretty much set the windshield mostly into the botton groove closest to the hood...this should have snapped the inside lap into place.
stop here for a moment. Let the windshile rest where it is. Using small palstic rods push any inperfections of teh bottom of the glass seal into place and make sure the corners are seated.
With your assistant applying light pressure...and following your advance...slowly....pull the cord up one side. Do not worry about wether the outside flap is perfect yet. The seal muct be dropping and teh inside flap snapping over the thin steel edge. Go about 8"...then do the other side. Back and forth until you get to teh top corners.
Stop.....then pushing downward on the glass again toward teh bottom lip....not inward toward you....pull each side cord insward until you round the corners. Stop here...and use teh plastic rodsor picks to straighten outere flap and make sure everything is seated. Finish up toward the center and pull out the cord. Done.
Clean off the glycerin after driving for a day to let vibration seat things....with rubbing alcohol and water. Then With a thin tip on a caulking gun...apply acrylic Urethane caulking under teh outside lip. Push it down to spread it. Wipe off excesspushed out....let dry for 48 hours before exposing to rain. Ray
With the bus gasket...I had to cut it...and shorten it. I find it best...less leakage issues...to put the seam at the top.
With the 412...I found it best to install the gasket onto the glass. Make sure it is a tight snug fit. I used some acrylic caulk to adhere the gasket groove to the glass. Tape it on tight overnight.
On the 412...you will notice steel gripper clips on the vertical sides of the body in the recess for the gasket. It goes in better if you remove them. It stays in fine without them.
Lubricate the gasket with something bio-degradable. Armour all is not that good of a lubricant. Do not use WD-40 or similar.
The best I have found is glycerin based tire shine stuff. Its also generally good for the rubber.
You need a cord. Go to a good harware store. The best is a polyethylene coated cord for clotheslines. It is about 3/32 in diameter and smooth on the outside (no braid).
Where is this cord goes best...is not really in that bottom groove/flap that laps to the inside.....but under the main flap that laps over the outside.
This is because...as you pull it...it helps to pull the whoel gasket in. If you just put in the bottom groove...it sometimes snaps out.
You need someone to help.
Put the bottom edge of the windhsield in first...amke sure its centered. Keep the winshield propped up until you work the bottom flap into the inside of the car.
The cord should wrap all the way around the windshield and start and end at the bottom of the windshield in the center.
While having your assistant push downward....not toward you....but from eh top edge downward toward the groove at the bottom edge ...with about 10-15 pounds force......you pull slowly with constant tension on one end of teh cord...say going to the left. Go all the way around the lower corner curve then stop. Do teh same to teh other end of teh cord to teh right.
At ths point...since you should have been able to pretty much set the windshield mostly into the botton groove closest to the hood...this should have snapped the inside lap into place.
stop here for a moment. Let the windshile rest where it is. Using small palstic rods push any inperfections of teh bottom of the glass seal into place and make sure the corners are seated.
With your assistant applying light pressure...and following your advance...slowly....pull the cord up one side. Do not worry about wether the outside flap is perfect yet. The seal muct be dropping and teh inside flap snapping over the thin steel edge. Go about 8"...then do the other side. Back and forth until you get to teh top corners.
Stop.....then pushing downward on the glass again toward teh bottom lip....not inward toward you....pull each side cord insward until you round the corners. Stop here...and use teh plastic rodsor picks to straighten outere flap and make sure everything is seated. Finish up toward the center and pull out the cord. Done.
Clean off the glycerin after driving for a day to let vibration seat things....with rubbing alcohol and water. Then With a thin tip on a caulking gun...apply acrylic Urethane caulking under teh outside lip. Push it down to spread it. Wipe off excesspushed out....let dry for 48 hours before exposing to rain. Ray