Damnit, carpet's ruined

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Spook50

Spook50

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Yeah, the new (but crappy to begin with) carpet I got from JTO is now completely ruined from mold because of water leaking in through my windshield seal (or somewhere on my A pillars. I think it's the seal). I need to get this fixed ASAP. You guys know of any good places in western WA (preferably Everett/Bothell area) for doing auto glass work?

Also, What's a good way to seal the gutter areas of my A pillars other than using calk? I just want to keep from taking chances with this crap.
 
Had almost the same problem w/ my a-pillar. Took it to Safelite Auto Glass up on Lake City Way (north Seattle) and they fixed it. Survived all winter with no leaks.

Good luck
Jason
 
Sorry to piggyback, but I've got a similar question about caulking/sealing gutters. The PO of my 85 60 had a nice Wilderness rack bolted on, I'm guessing too tight from searching old posts, and it leaked above the driver door when it rained hard. I took the rack off for daily driving and the problem stopped. However, I'm thinking about putting it back on for the winter, but want to fix the leakage problem before I do. Most old posts simply say to go to a reliable body shop, is this the best answer or can I seal the crack and reset the rack myself? As always, thanks.

PS: I'm pretty new, if I should have started this in a separate thread someone please let me know; I gots thick skin.
 
I taped of the roof, took off the chrome, and chiseled out ALL of the body seam filler from the factory, used a dremel/wire brush (actually a few of them)...re-applied the body seam filler (I think caulk doesn't last as long as the real deal)primered and repainted. Some rubbing compound and it looks factory....and I re-installed chrome.
 
Cruisin'Carolina said:
I taped of the roof, took off the chrome, and chiseled out ALL of the body seam filler from the factory, used a dremel/wire brush (actually a few of them)...re-applied the body seam filler (I think caulk doesn't last as long as the real deal)primered and repainted. Some rubbing compound and it looks factory....and I re-installed chrome.
Click to expand...

Is there anything the gutters along the A pillars can be filled with just to smooth 'em out a bit? I tried the caulk trick a while back so I'll have to whirewheel all that out and try to seal that again (assuming that's part of the leak problem).
 
Alright I got an appointment scheduled at Safelite for Saturday morning to reseal the windshield. Since my current windshield is all scratched to s*** I'm gonna have 'em go ahead and replace it too. Quoted me $200 for the whole job. Not exactly cheap, but less than what I was expecting, so I can at least swing it.

That better do the trick...
 
Good choice on getting the windshield done first. $200 is not bad, about $100 for new glass and the 100 labor well worth it from I've read about trying to do that yourself.

My best quote was $100 I pull it from the junkyard, and $80 to install.

A pillars as you know are really tight. I did not go down that far, as that was still in good shape.

The reason I did what I did was a gutter repair where a tower for the roof rack collected debris and rusted out about a dime size hole for the PO.

Talk with the shop, or a body guy. I used body seam filler, which has the consistency of chaulk, takes a long time to dry, but gets really hard with little expansion and contraction.

It will be real tough to get that down in that small crevice, but I'd bet it could be done.
 
If you have aftermarket carpet, pull it out and have it steamcleaned, I'd bet you can get it back to good condition.
 
Spook -
Safelite is the Checker of auto glass. Doesn't mean they can't do good work, but be sure to get an old installer as the gasket setup of the FJ is now 20 years old, & some younger installers don't have much experience with it.

Check your gasket by pressing a ballpoint pen into it in several places. If it bounces back within a few seconds, you can probably re-use it. If not, you need a new one. I don't like the fako chrome plastic & prefer the gasket without it. If you decide to change it, have them cut the gasket to remove the windshield so you can keep it intact to check against the new one (see below).

Have them seal it with urethane, NOT SILICONE!

Also, they make their own "knockoff" glass (SGC), and don't provide OEM glass for any car manufacturer. They will use brand name if requested. I use PPG - they're OEM to lots of US & Japanese (even in Japan) manufacturers. Safelite is also notorious for making windshields that aren't the same size or shape of the originals. If you can save the old windshield (mainly if you get a new gasket, see above), you can place it on the new one to compare size & curvature. If there's a big difference, demand another brand of windshield.

My 60s' windshields don't leak.
 
Tinker said:
Spook -
Safelite is the Checker of auto glass. Doesn't mean they can't do good work, but be sure to get an old installer as the gasket setup of the FJ is now 20 years old, & some younger installers don't have much experience with it.

Check your gasket by pressing a ballpoint pen into it in several places. If it bounces back within a few seconds, you can probably re-use it. If not, you need a new one. I don't like the fako chrome plastic & prefer the gasket without it. If you decide to change it, have them cut the gasket to remove the windshield so you can keep it intact to check against the new one (see below).

Have them seal it with urethane, NOT SILICONE!

Also, they make their own "knockoff" glass (SGC), and don't provide OEM glass for any car manufacturer. They will use brand name if requested. I use PPG - they're OEM to lots of US & Japanese (even in Japan) manufacturers. Safelite is also notorious for making windshields that aren't the same size or shape of the originals. If you can save the old windshield (mainly if you get a new gasket, see above), you can place it on the new one to compare size & curvature. If there's a big difference, demand another brand of windshield.

My 60s' windshields don't leak.
Click to expand...

Good advice. I'll be sure to ask 'em about PPG (is that a brand or type of glass?) and make sure they use urethane. What's the difference between urethane and silicone anyhoo?
 
Spook -
PPG is a major manufacturer of all kinds of glass including automotive. Urethane is a type of adhesive that cures to something like tire rubber - that's all that holds in modern windshields (has to withstand 3,000psi against the inside of the windshield). Silicone ("RTV") contains acid that rusts metal, & it cures to a very flexible, stretchy solid - probably wouldn't withstand over 500psi.

Urethane paint is used on airplanes because it's flexible & withstands heavy abuse.
 
Well they couldn't find any flaw at all in the seal and when they looked at it, everything seemed good and tight. The seal on there now is urethane, going off Tinker's description. I still get water coming in though, so I'm gonna take another crack at sealing the A pillar's gutter (on both pillars). I'm gonna go ahead and wirewheel all the body sealant out and pack new sealer in there (what's the best stuff to use to seal the gutter?). There are a bunch of spots in my gutter a ways back where the sealant has some nice big gaps so I'll give those a try too just to avoid taking chances. I WILL get this leak fixed, even if it kills me. That's my biggest priority on the truck right now.
 
Body seam filler......body seam filler.......I don't remember the name, just bought it at the parts store...

You may have to find a better way to apply it, I used the tube, but you are going to need a much finer bead than what I ran down the sides and around the back....

I'll see if I have any left , I may have thrown the tube away so I can tell you more.
 
Last edited:
Cruisin'Carolina said:
Body seam filler......body seam filler.......I don't remember the name, just bought it at the parts store...

You may have to find a better way to apply it, I used the tube, but you are going to need a much finer bead than what I ran down the sides and around the back....

I'll see if I have any left , I may have thrown the tube away so I can tell you more.
Click to expand...

Does Silaprene sound right? It's the only body seam filler/sealer I could find. Looks like it's meant to be used in a caulking gun.
 
To be honest, I can't recall the chemical's name....I bought it Autozone, it is in the bodywork/bondo section AND the misc. goo section....all of it was the same brand...

and I must have thrown the tube away, sorry....
 
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