Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

alec.elliot · Joined: 28 Feb 2012 Posts: 58 Location: Worcestershire

Hi there

I have a 1936 Morris 8 although this thread probably applies to a lot of older cars.

The original sealant around the windscreen and frame had deteriorated and was allowing the screen to rattle around in the frame. When I scraped the old stuff out of the channel it didn't look like it was a preformed seal so I guess it was some sort of goo!

Can anyone recommend a suitable sealer that I could use? Would black silicone be suitable?

All the best

Alec

Desert Fox · Joined: 21 May 2013 Posts: 25 Location: Leeds

Silicon sealer will not suffice in a windscreen. I would go to a windscreen replacement depot and purchase the correct sealant. Windscreen sealant requires a primer for bonding the sealer. Perhaps they might even do it for you for a small fee.

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Hi Alec. I recently used a black polyurethane sealant that looks like and goes on like silicone. It is significantly tougher, a bit more expensive and has great adhesive properties. Most people seem to call it "Tiger Seal". I had thought about using it for my old Austin windscreen but I am just slightly wary of this becoming just a bit too permanent repair..I am not sure you could ever get it off!

I guess the original black putty type product might have been that "Dum-Dum" stuff that they used in other places on these old cars.

I will be interested to see what other people have used.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4267 Location: South Cheshire

Originally they were not sealed with sealer; just a rubber gasket that is folded found around the edge of the glass and pressed into the frame. You need to get the correct thickness rubber, remember that replacement glass may be a different thickness to the original! Woolies or Paul Beck stock it. Measure the glass thickness, measure the frame gap and they will be able to advise on the required rubber thickness.

If its a tourer its flat rubber, for the saloon its molded. Most sealants are silicon based, not to be confused with the windscreen adhesives, more commonly used on modern cars, and (certainly used to) require a primer.

Dave

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Blimey dave, that's beginning to sound like a daunting job.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4267 Location: South Cheshire

V8 Nutter · Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 604

ajlelectronics · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 168 Location: Gloucester

Whatever you do, stay away from Tiger Seal. It is designed for permanent fixing of body panels etc, not good for a windscreen.

You can get a tube of the proper windscreen sealant, made by 3M. It is non setting, very messy, but does the job properly. However, it is no substitute for a well fitting seal which should be sorted before the sealant goes in to both channels.
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colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Thought as much. Glad you cleared that up. Sorry for misinformation given in good faith.

ajlelectronics · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 168 Location: Gloucester

3M 08509 is the stuff I use.
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Find this and more at http://www.classicmicrocars.com
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NONORT · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 55 Location: Southampton

Hi Guys I have used windscreen bonder in the past the only thing I will say is make sure that the glass does not touch the frame! I used the little cross things sold for tiling in the bathroom etc. I have also used slices of washing up liquid bottle the old fashion white plastic variety. Glue the screen into place then remove the spacers and fill in the gaps. Silicone will break down after sometime due to the effects of UV light. PS don't let her indoors catch you with the washing up bottle it may give her the idea that you are becoming domesticated!
Shocked

alec.elliot · Joined: 28 Feb 2012 Posts: 58 Location: Worcestershire

Hi there

Thanks for all of the advice. I eventually went for a non setting compound and packed it out from the frame with spacers. Even though I say it myself it looks like a good job and now the windscreen does not rattle around in the frame! I have also replaced a lot of the corroded bolts with 0ba and 4ba.

Now to get it back in the car without disturbing the headlining too much!

Thanks again.

Alec

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

That sounds like my way of doing things Alec; "low intervention" I call it Smile

. Glad it's sorted and you can move on. Much as I love my old car I find that when it comes to getting caught in the rain, the water will come in through door gaps, the edge of the opening windscreen and even through the wooden floor and an infinite number of other places. I suspect that this is the same with many cars before the 1950's. As long as the glass has stopped rattling and holds back the torrent a little, you have done well in my opinion.

baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

I read somewhere that the Dum dum sealer as been banned due to some euro nonsense or another. Probably they found if you accidentally swallowed a couple of pounds (sorry a kilo) of it that it sealed up your bum bum permanently and you died.
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