Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

[Roger G.]

I just got through digging the hardened caulk out from between the fender tips and lower windshield frame. After getting as much caulk out as I could reach I took a dremel tool and ground off all surface rust. A coat of rust inhibiting primer and paint coming next. Very tight quarters in there...

Does anybody know what to use to refill this area? The caulk which I just dug out seemed more like a water collector than anything which would help. What did the factory use?

Would some form of butyl caulk be appropriate? Where would I find it?

[Robert M.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

I used seam sealer, worked great and is available at any automotive supply store

[Roger G.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

I used seam sealer, worked great and is available at any automotive supply store

The seam sealer is a bit stiff for filling in this area? I used some to seal seams where panels meet or panels or are rivetted to the birdcage. The original material looks a bit like gray caulk which was packed into the area. Problem I have with that stuff is it tended to become a water collector since it didn't seal well to the birdcage. I was thinking something softer, more compliant would work a bit better. A bit like filling with silicone caulk?

This is one of the common rust areas on C3's. I'd like to see it never happens on mine..

[Terry M.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

The seam sealer is a bit stiff for filling in this area? I used some to seal seams where panels meet or panels or are rivetted to the birdcage. The original material looks a bit like gray caulk which was packed into the area. Problem I have with that stuff is it tended to become a water collector since it didn't seal well to the birdcage. I was thinking something softer, more compliant would work a bit better. A bit like filling with silicone caulk?

This is one of the common rust areas on C3's. I'd like to see it never happens on mine..

Roger I don't know what seam sealer you are using, but my experience with 3M Seam Sealer is quite different. Perhaps it is because I try to use fresh tube(s) of it -- it does get old in the tube.

[Roger G.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

Roger I don't know what seam sealer you are using, but my experience with 3M Seam Sealer is quite different. Perhaps it is because I try to use fresh tube(s) of it -- it does get old in the tube.

There seems to be a few different types of seam sealer.
This is the one I've used.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ntifier=167027

It dries a bit stiff.

I'm looking for something which will remain a soft, elastic, and stick to the painted surface as well as the fiberglass. I'm not concerned about painting over it since the original caulk wasn't painted or if it was, having the paint stick wasn't a concern.

Which 3M sealer are you using? Do you have the number?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

I'd use 3M StripCalk, which is probably what was used 40 years ago when the car was built. Waterproof, flexible, moldable, you name it.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

There seems to be a few different types of seam sealer.
This is the one I've used.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ntifier=167027

It dries a bit stiff.

I'm looking for something which will remain a soft, elastic, and stick to the painted surface as well as the fiberglass. I'm not concerned about painting over it since the original caulk wasn't painted or if it was, having the paint stick wasn't a concern.

Which 3M sealer are you using? Do you have the number?

Roger, The only tube I could find is quite old, but is called Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer. I can't read the number on the front, but on the back it says "reorder part # 08551." When I Google that name and number I get:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine/Home/Products/Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20S4K7_nid=GSTN405H5ZgsQH8HT14PGTglX48LJXD2G0bl

Perhaps they have changed the formula for this stuff. There are enough Cautions on the tube to make one's head swoon.

[Roger G.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

Roger, The only tube I could find is quite old, but is called Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer. I can't read the number on the front, but on the back it says "reorder part # 08551." When I Google that name and number I get:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine/Home/Products/Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20S4K7_nid=GSTN405H5ZgsQH8HT14PGTglX48LJXD2G0bl

Perhaps they have changed the formula for this stuff. There are enough Cautions on the tube to make one's head swoon.

This looks familiar. I think it was used for the drip rails on vintage Mustangs. It doesn't appear that it can be applied as deep as the original caulking was unless I did it in layers?

[Roger G.]

Re: Windshield Frame/Upper Fender Tip Pocket

I'd use 3M StripCalk, which is probably what was used 40 years ago when the car was built. Waterproof, flexible, moldable, you name it.

Patrick

That's a thought if I were to go with the closest material to the original. Thanks. I was hoping to find something I could apply with a caulk gun. Something which will fill the area, remain soft and sticky enough to seal up the area. Issue I have with the original caulk is it seems to form pockets which catch moisture between the caulk and steel.