Public Service Announcement; De-Chroming Windows

[kevinmrowland]

Ok, thanks to Dads help I was able to track down Joel, he knew exactly who I was and exactly what I was talking about. He also confirmed that the "filler strip" was a thing of the past and that most auto glass places these days had probably never heard of it. It used to be used on chevy and GM windshields.
He said the old part number was DWLS466, and the new number is DW (domestic window) 848.
He did have a roll of it in the shop which he will be sending to me, and he is looking into what he could get new rolls for.
So there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it looks like I will have to add another reel to my weatherstrip dispenser rack.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Kewl !!!

Can I have dibs on that roll you will be getting ???
I'll also look up for the part number locally !!

Thanks Kevin !!

 

[smkymntn]

Great work- I am so ready to remove my chrome.

 

[Dynosoar]

Put me on the list please. I need enough for the back 3 windows.

Thanks

Dynosoar

 

[kevinmrowland]

Aww, c'mon guys! No more frigin "lists".
We'll call this thread a list until I see if I can sort something out.
I don't know how much is on the roll being sent to me, but Joel seemed to think that it would be no issue getting more.


All that aside, I'll tell you who is first on the list, whoever it was that contacted me about this two years ago, and whose PM I subsequently lost.

 

[smkymntn]

I would need enough for all three rears windows as well.

 

[Dynosoar]

I talked to my local glass shop after I posted earlier, and they guy is getting me a roll in the morning. He knew just what I was talking about. I am figuring roughly 35 ft to do the 3 rear windows. He said they come in a 50ft roll and a 100 ft roll but he could also order it cut to any length. I will post againg tomorrow with the cost and some pics.


Dynosoar

 

[Tinker]

WLS466 for one windshield lists @ $35.00 & is available in 100' rolls. Let's let Kevin find out if it fits first.

BTW there's a special tool for inserting the lock strip. The better one is a single-application (GM) that has a heart-shaped heavy brass shoe with a groove all the way around to engage the lips of the gasket. The cheapie universal (2 shoe GM/Chrysler) one has stamped steel shoes. A good-ole-boy installer will have the former & will make the installation look like cake. You civilians will be cursing without the tool. Secret is to use lots of wienerslicker (spray silicone): hold the lock strip over a trash can & hose it down with the cone. Use the spray nozzle & douche the gasket where the strip goes. Start inserting at the middle bottom. Enjoy.

 

[kevinmrowland]

Very cool, sounds like we are getting somewhere now.

The silicone spray is key for the install, smells funny but goes quick.
My guy originally loaned me a couple of the tools, but to tell the truth, I ended up just putting it in with a screw driver. The tools worked great until I got to a corner, but then the screw driver took over so I eventually just ended up with the screw driver.
Just make sure you have a nicely worn flat head driver without any sharp edges, put one lip of the filler strip in the window gasket, push the other lip into the window gasket, and once you have it started you can slide the driver along the weather strip, lifting the weather strip and slipping the filler strip into the groove in one clean motion. It's pretty cool when it goes nicely.

 

[MANUCHAO]

I talked to my local glass shop after I posted earlier, and they guy is getting me a roll in the morning. He knew just what I was talking about. I am figuring roughly 35 ft to do the 3 rear windows. He said they come in a 50ft roll and a 100 ft roll but he could also order it cut to any length. I will post againg tomorrow with the cost and some pics.


Dynosoar

Dynosoar.. I'll be your first customer then....
I called two auto glass shops..
The first one said it could not be done and would not give a price on the parts..
The second.. wanted me to bring the truck over so they could do it and see what I was talking about.....cause they did not understand what I was saying !!

Must be my strong Irish accent eh !!

 

[Dynosoar]

Filler strip install part 1

My glass guy got it for me this morning. It is about $1.00/foot. I don't know if this is good or bad price but it did not seem outrageous. So, I came home and did my two side windows it took about 40 min to do both. However, the first one took most of the time then I figured out a good technique.

Tools: Silicone spray (the glass guy said get the dry spay but I could only find wet),
A razor knife, Scissors, and a curved pick (this one was home made for putting windshields in my old VW race car (Class11).


The filler strip came in 15 foot sections. I will ask if I could get a bulk roll.


Dynosoar

 

[Dynosoar]

Filler strip install part 2

Then I used the hook tool to remve the chrome filler strip. Next I cleaned and lubed up the rubber seal with a bunch of the spray. Then came the fun. I started working in the filler strip. It seems to go in best if you wedge one of the edges in and then use the hook tool to lift the opposite edge of the seal then use direct pressure to push the filler strip in place. The corners are a bitch, but used the same method and got them in place. The final step is working your way back to where you started and trimming the extra filler. I would give it a ratting.

Dynosoar

 

[Dynosoar]

Filler strip install part 3 more pics

A few extra shots of the strip installed. Thaks Kevin for posting the part # and sorry for the major Hijack.

Dynosoar

 

[turbeau69]

OHHH YEAH that’s what I am talking about. That is the last thing I need to black out on my truck. As soon as I get back to the states I will be PMing you guys so I can get stuff together. I will also be replacing the windshield gasket and to be able to use a good OEM one with this stuff would be much better I think.

 

[Tinker]

Black, self-locking windshield gaskets are readily available. For years I told 60 owners that I couldn't get the one with the chrome lock strip. What I didn't tell 'em was that they were available but I just couldn't bring myself to order one.

 

[kevinmrowland]

A few extra shots of the strip installed. Thaks Kevin for posting the part # and sorry for the major Hijack.

Dynosoar

That right there is what a window is supposed to look like sir!
I am glad this is finally starting to come together for everyone.

 

[5280Hawk]

Dynosoar,

did you just take the part # to a glass shop?

Also, does it look like it will work for the windsheild?

 

[kevinmrowland]

Those numbers should work at any good glass shop, I have some on the way, it will be another non-profit thing so I will not be offended if folks are able to find some locally.
I will post up when I find out what my cost will be so that at least we will have a benchmark for reasonable pricing.
I will have it available soon.

Oh, and it works great on the front window as well, tricky getting it around the corners, but it works.

 

[5280Hawk]

Nice,

I called the same glass place I was working with initially, gave them the part number, and they ordered me some. I can pick it up this afternoon!

 

[Dynosoar]

Yes, you got it I have a good local glass shop. I gave the guy a the part # and he got it for me, and he gave it to me at his cost. Corners are a bitch but I was able to do all three rear windows in under 1hr. The first window took the longest as I had to figure out a good method.

Dynosoar