Windshield escutcheon plates

Whaler · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 08:36 AM

Hi

My car is in the shop getting painted. I was with the painter yesterday and we were trial fitting the windshield again as he suspected we might have to open up the slots in the body a little more ( he saw evidence of a crack at one slot)

Turns out the fit was good, plenty of room and suspects the builder had probably let the windshield move on its own weight while trying to fit it alone. Therefore cracking the body at the slot as it slipped or fell backward.

Anyhow here's the question.

I had the chrome cover plates with the hardware for him to use if req'd. He was surprised that I had no rubber seal or a grommet to go around the posts and under these plates. I never really thought about it until now but do they supply these usually?
I think a rubber seal can be made easily and he also suggested black silicon to. His concern was keeping water out when you wash the car.

All I had was the chrome plates with my delivered kit.....no seals.

Anyone else worry about this and what did you do

Tim

Bud Man · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 09:52 AM

Tim:

Use a rubber gasket under the plate, something about the thickness of an inner tube. You will obviously cut the gasket to conform to the outside dimensions of the plate, but when you cut the windshield slot, cut it slightly undersize to enable it to seal snugly around the windshield's mounting post. This will help keep water out. A dab of silicone wouldn't hurt, either, if you are very careful.

Bud

Roscoe · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 10:34 AM

I made my own with gasket material.

Roscoe

Whaler · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 10:39 AM

Hi Bud and Roscoe
That's exactly what I have in mind. Use the stuff that's in black rubber about 1/16 or 1/8 flat gasket material. We use it to line toolboxes as well.......lol

Thanks

Tim

PNJSNAK · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 02:18 PM

Rubber gasket material about .09" to .12" thick. Cut it so that it was slightly larger than the plates, so it framed the plate well. Made the slot for the window slightly smaller to create a seal and used a little silicone. Don't know why they don't include this seal with the window trim pieces.
By the way did the same thing under the wiper boxe bezel, where it contacts the body. If you don't, it could chip or mark the paint or just dig into the glass.
All these little things no one tells you about and you don't know any better, ... but just seems right to do it that way.
Have fun with the build.
Jim