1991 Windshield Trim Rot

[Guest jim_houston]

Hello everyone,

It's been years since I posted here, and I try not to unless I'm stuck.

I am having my 1991 Reatta painted, but before I do that, I need to replace the black rubber gasket trim that goes around my (original) windshield.

It's rotted, and in some places, nearly so deteriorated that I'm surprised it doesn't leak.

I am absolutely stuck with trying to get a new one, or a suitable replacement.

I'm sure others on this board have the same problem. If your black windshield trim looks pitted, that's just the beginning. Once it starts, it's like cancer and really takes off.

ANY HELP in replacing this would be GREATLY appreciated.

THANKS!

Jim Houston

Charleston, SC

[Guest MauiWowee]

My understanding is that the gasket is only available with a new windshield.

[Guest TommyH]

i have the same problem, and i think that the trim is molded into the glass, but dont quote me on that. i though about stuff,but i couldnt come up with any viable ideas.

[Guest Greg Ross]

They refer to it as an encapsulation and it's only trim. The weather seal is made with a polyurthane structural Adhesive on an inner lip around the Window opening.(the glass is considered a strength member as part of the Body)

I had a windshield put in my Jeep last Spring and it seems to me there was a roll of small external bead trim in the Glass shop that would look Ok

When I had my '88 painted around 2002 someone else was paying for that paint work. I elected to put my share into Glass, bought new front and rear strictly for the encapsulation.

[Roadster90]

My w/strip or encapsulation was getting a little ratty looking so I sanded it and refinished with a semi gloss SEM product just after painting the whole car about a year ago....looks good and is holding up like it was done yesterday. I placed plastic separators between the w/strip and body (like the special tape) when I sanded and sprayed the w/strip to make it appear and function (and be) professional.

[DeeBee]

Not for a Reatta but I have made a bead for a windshield before. I bought some hpe or cutting board material from a plastics shop. Make sure you get the smooth kind. You do not need the teflon stuff as it is very expensive. Buy a piece of scrap. The longer the better. Use a router to mill out a cavity that will serve as a bead maker. Experiment with depth and width, shouldn't be too difficult if you can use a router (or even one of those RotoZip things). Anyway, cut the bead and then use Silicone sealer to make a bead. Drip it into the cavity and don't worry about it being higher than the cavity, you are just going to cut it off later anyway.

Let it harden. After that, cut anything over the top flush to the board material. What you end up with is a really nice bead. Next, cut back the original bead (since it's shot anyway) as far down as you can but not so far that the bead you made won't fill it. Ideally, you want it deep enough so that you can drip sealer into the cut away space, lay down the bead and then let it set with the bead slightly but evenly raised above the windshield.

What you end up with is a perfect seal that looks as good and performs better than original.

This might take some experimentation. If you can get the original rotting material cut away, you can make a cast of the cavity and then take that to a wood workers and let him cut the mold for you. If the Hpe isn't available, you can have it made from wood and then just use a mold release agent to make sure the silicone comes out after curing.

A little bit of patience will result in a near perfect job. If you mess it up you can always do it over. This will not leak, no air noise and will look very good.

A nice smooth cut of the original rubber is important. The silicone will last longer than the car and probably you too.