Topic: Getting aftermarket rear fastback glass w-strip to fit

[Dave Stribling]

Frustrated out of my mind with this crummy aftermarket weatherstrip.  The rear w-strip is thicker or harder or something than the original rear glass weatherstrip and you can't get the window moldings to grab hold. I have used up all my originals - they work just fine thank you, but I have blown through a half a dozen repos and dented trim to get these things to fit and they just won't.

Anybody have some tips on getting the rear window trim to work with the repo seal? And yes, they are all made by the same company. - Dave

[Dirk Pitt]

Dave:  I am with you on this one.  I pulled off my trim twice because I was not happy with the fit.  The placement of the clips by Ford doesn't help but after researching this on the web I learned that the aftermarket rubber is just too thick.  What I found is guys have "trimmed" the rubber weatherstrip to allow the trim to grab the clips to get the trim to look reasonable.  As a judge it is pretty obvious when you see aftermarket weatherstripping.  I used to think it was poor workmanship but now I know the poor part certainly contributes.

I have to take mine off one more time to trim my weatherstrip.  I probably have ruined my original trim after pounding on it with my palm to get it to "fit", not to mention how much sealant I have gotten all over everything by taking off the trim two times.

Not a happy camper at this end and happy to hear from others as to how they solved this "problem."

[cobrajetchris]

The rear glass is a real pain to get right as you fight with poor quality weather strips, messy glue and water leaks. I hired a seasoned glass installer that deals in antique car glass install mine. I assisted him and it still was a fight. We finally got the trim to clip in and it looks pretty good. It does leak a little and I can live with that as there is NO WAY that glass is coming back out. The car does not see rain or even a car wash very much so I can live with that. I feel your pain and have been there. I would recommend you find a auto glass installer that is familiar with old cars and he may be able to help you out. I would not recommend just calling a glass shop that works on late model cars as this is a totally different animal.

[priceless]

Back when I was restoring our 69 mach1, I sort of needed to replace the back glass original w'strip. My wife (her Mustang) insisted I change the w'strip, I told her I think it will suffice. It has the usual cracks in the corners and such, but had no leaks.

I ended up NOT installing new back glass w'strip. Later on through the next few years, I kept hearing all the horror stories how restorers was fighting the repo back glass w'strip, and Boy, I'm glad I stuck with the old, cracked original one  

[app01]

+1 on the weatherstrip being too thick.

What I did on my 70 was after installing the back glass, I used a very sharp (Ceramic blade) vegetable peeler (like the type to take the skin off of a carrot)  to take off just a small amount of rubber on the outside face. Using the peeler controlled how much rubber came off and after a  few passes and trying the trim between, I was  able snap the trim on with no damage to it.

Be sure to mask off both sides so you do not accidentally scratch the glass or paint.

[J_Speegle]

What I did on my 70 was after installing the back glass, I used a very sharp (Ceramic blade) vegetable peeler (like the type to take the skin off of a carrot)  to take off just a small amount of rubber on the outside face. .................

Now that has to be the creative idea of the week

[andersonhotrods]

Had the same problem on the current project. After the second try to install the trim, I set the trim in place, and scribed around the inside, with a exacto blade. I removed the trim, and shaved the gasket (to the outside of the scribe) with wood carving tools ( Used to carve Ducks)
Sounds a bit hokey, but it worked, and you cant tell by looking at it. Best of luck, it's a gooey mess at best.

[CJ-NINER]

Does anyone know who the mamanufacturer that supplies NPD, Mustangs Plus, etc. There must be only one, Drake, Carpenter, or ?

jc

[J_Speegle]

Does anyone know who the mamanufacturer that supplies NPD, Mustangs Plus, etc. There must be only one, Drake, Carpenter, or ?

Easy enough to find out - what would you do with the info?   Allot of money has been invested in making the molds and such (likely copied from NOS/service replacement examples from the 70-80's)

[CJ-NINER]

I was at the Carpenter facility in Charlotte yesterday and picked up the latest seal off the Ford Tooling mold. I will try it out in a 69 FB in December.
After I install the seal I will post the information I have come up with about this issue.

Jim Cunningham

[J_Speegle]

I was at the Carpenter facility in Charlotte yesterday and picked up the latest seal off the Ford Tooling mold. I will try it out in a 69 FB in December.
After I install the seal I will post the information I have come up with about this issue.

Jim Cunningham

Thanks Jim   Sure it will be a help to others.

[Rsanter]

Even if it is out of the same mold, when you are talking extrusions the final size is dependent on several things in the process
Material blend
Tempature
How much material pressure or push
And then there are the environmental conditions that can make an effect

Bob

[ZANMAN428]

Has anyone found a better seal yet? Did Carpenter's latest work any better?