Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

[Greg H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Yup.

I'd love for someone (Greg?) to buy some gray Norton stuff and let us know if it's correct.

Patrick

Patrick,

I ordered some last night on amazon. When I was a kid Norton was into Indy racing. A friend of my father brought me a Norton racing calendar every Christmas. I'm looking forward to trying it out. The description on Amazon said it was used by many auto manufacturers in the 60's and 70's.

I'll post pics as soon as it arrives.

[Alan S.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Hi All,
I saved the original silver material from my 71 in a plastic bag in hopes of reusing it (just kidding). I also have some test strips of the fabric paint that are about 2 years old now. If the 2 bags weren't marked I'd have a difficult time telling one from the other.
I've found that I have the best success with the finished appearance if I put the 'paint' on in 3 small layers, with drying time between them. The first seals the gap, the second fills the gap, and the third I smear with my finger to give it a little concave look.
By the way MICHAELS has all their Fall silk flowers on special if you're interested.
Regards,
Alan

[Patrick H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

By the way MICHAELS has all their Fall silk flowers on special if you're interested.
Regards,
Alan

LOL!!!
Good one.

[Edward J.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Pat, I put a email in to 3M to see if I could find out some info on the types of caulking used back in the 70's they answer back I guess that gray was not one but there was a off white color about some ten years ago. black is the only color now made.

[Pat M.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

The more I think about it I believe I'd bought a GE Windows and Doors caulk from Stine that was the appropriate gray/silver color.

But I went back today and could not find it, but I did see Dap caulking in an aluminum and gray aluminum color that looked pretty close.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Pat, I put a email in to 3M to see if I could find out some info on the types of caulking used back in the 70's they answer back I guess that gray was not one but there was a off white color about some ten years ago. black is the only color now made.

Ed, there is no evidence to indicate the original material was made by 3M. Although 3M is a logical assumption, it may actually have been supplied by another manufacturer.

I have a big chunk of the original sealant in a Ziplok bag in my "scrap parts" to demonstrate that the original sealant used under the center tee trim, and the windshield header reveal and side moldings was gray...well, actually kind of a grayish beige. This sealing compound was identified in the 70 AIM, UPC 0, Sheet D8 as "Part No 3710409, Sealing Compound", and identified with the tag "84". These tag numbers are used everywhere in the AIM to identify where a particular material was used, with specific applications on different AIM sheets being identified by a lower case letter; e.g. 84f was a 1/2" bead applied under the front of the center tee trim.

What I don't understand in this continuing drama is how this material becomes "silver". The wide concensus is hard to argue with...many original cars have a dull silver material filling any voids between these moldings. And yet, the AIM doesn't list any other sealant besides 3710409 being used (side moldings do have small amount seam cement, Tag 57). See 70 AIM, UPC 1, Sheets F10, F11.

What the heck is going on here? Observations are not lining up...Does UV turn the specified AIM sealant silver?...Is the silver a surface cosmetic added after assembly to conceal exposed sealant and fit problems?...Dealer prep? Someone that's convinced this stuff is silver should pop off an original center tee trim, and see what they find. I've already done one, and it's GRAY. I understand the color is immaterial to the sealing function; I guess we have to conclude that whatever color the sealant is, any exposed areas have to be dull silver for judging.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Ed, there is no evidence to indicate the original material was made by 3M. Although 3M is a logical assumption, it may actually have been supplied by another manufacturer.

I have a big chunk of the original sealant in a Ziplok bag in my "scrap parts" to demonstrate that the original sealant used under the center tee trim, and the windshield header reveal and side moldings was gray...well, actually kind of a grayish beige. This sealing compound was identified in the 70 AIM, UPC 0, Sheet D8 as "Part No 3710409, Sealing Compound", and identified with the tag "84". These tag numbers are used everywhere in the AIM to identify where a particular material was used, with specific applications on different AIM sheets being identified by a lower case letter.

What I don't understand in this continuing drama is how this material becomes "silver". The wide concensus is hard to argue with...many original cars have a dull silver material filling any voids between these moldings. And yet, the AIM doesn't list any other sealant besides 3710409 being used (side moldings do have small amount seam cement, Tag 57). See 70 AIM, UPC 1, Sheets F10, F11.

What the heck is going on here? Observations are not lining up...Does UV turn the specified AIM sealant silver?...Is the silver a surface cosmetic added after assembly to conceal exposed sealant and fit problems?...Dealer prep? Someone that's convinced this stuff is silver should pop off an original center tee trim, and see what they find. I've already done one, and it's GRAY. I understand the color is immaterial to the sealing function; I guess we have to conclude that whatever color the sealant is, any exposed areas have to be dull silver for judging.

Chuck,

I don't have time to do go into it, but the original one I pulled apart has black, gray/tan and silver sealants, depending on the location.

Patrick

[Chuck S.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Chuck,

I don't have time to do go into it, but the original one I pulled apart has black, gray/tan and silver sealants, depending on the location.

Patrick

Yes, OK, I have to concede I also I found black on my 70 toward the center of the tee trim, grayish tan toward the cast ends...if there was any silver the quantity was small enough that I completely missed it.

What can be concluded then...they had three different colors of the same part number sealant? Or, the AIM does not reflect actual assembly practice? It wouldn't be the only time assembly didn't match the AIM, but I wouldn't expect it where materials had to be purchased.

[Greg H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

The more I think about it I believe I'd bought a GE Windows and Doors caulk from Stine that was the appropriate gray/silver color.

But I went back today and could not find it, but I did see Dap caulking in an aluminum and gray aluminum color that looked pretty close.

Pat, I've brought up a few options like this but read above - the guys here have warned about using them on the car due to acidity in the caulk.

[Pat M.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Pat, I've brought up a few options like this but read above - the guys here have warned about using them on the car due to acidity in the caulk.

I saw that - but I aint takin' it off now that it's done.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Yes, OK, I have to concede I also I found black on my 70 toward the center of the tee trim, grayish tan toward the cast ends...if there was any silver the quantity was small enough that I completely missed it.

What can be concluded then...they had three different colors of the same part number sealant? Or, the AIM does not reflect actual assembly practice? It wouldn't be the only time assembly didn't match the AIM, but I wouldn't expect it where materials had to be purchased.

Chuck,

You're welcome to look through other pics I've posted. Unfortunately I'm about to leave out of town for 2 weeks and don't have time to peruse the AIM vs what I found.

Patrick

[Greg H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Here's what I have found. The Norton Gray strip caulk arrived today. While it was smashed in shipment I think I can work with it. My before and after pics are a sample as I've just tried a small area. I've tried to apply it as closely as possible to the original. Looks pretty close to me. While I was waiting for the shipment I put the hardtop on but it is the same shot.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

The original still "seems" more silver to me, but I'll be interested in how it looks when you're done.

Patrick

[Greg H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

The original still "seems" more silver to me, but I'll be interested in how it looks when you're done.

Patrick

Hi Patrick,
Yes it is slightly lighter in color, but I prefer to have it off slightly while matching the application (and no harmful acidity - thank you very much). I finally have all the old removed but unless I finish replacing it tomorrow it will be another week. I'll post more pics when I'm done.
It's also hard to say what the true original color was. There are areas it matches very well (maybe due to fading) and others where the original is much darker (which could be from the chrome).
Greg