10 replies to this topic

[59 Speed]

Are people fitting their windscreens with any type of sealant?

I was looking at using this stuff:

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255230

as I'm a little concerned about the bodywork rusting around where the rubber meets the bodywork and thinking if I use sealant it should stop any water from getting behind the seal.

What do people think?

Thanks in advance ,
Ian

[Ethel]

I can't see how it'd be any better than the stuff you get from builder's merchants. I'd be tempted to fold  tank tape over the bottom seam.

[59 Speed]

Cheers Ethel, anyone else?

Cheers,
Ian

[corrado vr6]

Spot on if you don't have a silicone gun but expensive for the amount you will get!

Personally if you have a silicone gun already then builders merchants as suggested or toolstation, screwfix or b&q will work out cheaper the halfords stuff is just a multi purpose clear silicone but in a squeezie tube.

Personally I feel silicone is a bit of a bodge as normally its used to stop water getting in due to rust, however in your thinking, your thinking to help prevent rust by stopping water getting in, in the first place so for that reason I would say its an idea so long as its dry under the seal otherwise you will be trapping moisture in thus causing rust

[kezzkitkat]

Like said be careful as sealant can have to opposite effect and rust the panel if there is exposed metal and it tend to rust in between the two peice of metal where the paint dosnt flow in

[oakrichardson]

dont put it on too thick either else it will just leak. ask me how i know....

[jpw1275]

dont put it on too thick either else it will just leak. ask me how i know....

How do you know?

Cheers james

[oakrichardson]

 

dont put it on too thick either else it will just leak. ask me how i know....

How do you know?

Cheers james

 

changed my windscreen, fitted the rubber and stuck in loads of sealant, caused the seal to push slightly away from the screen and allowed water to run into the car....kind of hard to explain but it definitely leaked!

[tiger99]

There is one compelling reason to avoid using any kind of silicone sealant on your car. Not because it doesn't work (it does, if used carefully), nor because it harms any part of the car (it doesn't), not because it might be toxic (most types are fairly harmless), but because traces of it inevitably find their way on to the paintwork, and being almost impossible to remove will play havoc with subsequent attempts at painting the area. You do get materials now for removing traces of silicones, but they are not 100% effective, and it is quite depressing to see a fresh coat of paint go wrong.

 

So, if possible, I would suggest using a non-silicone sealant. And yes, a sealant between rubber and body, on the outside, is a very good idea as it will deter water ingress into the welded seam. Between rubber and glass is less important, only needed if it leaks. But the metal should always be fully etched, primed, seam sealed, and top coated before fitting the screen and its rubber anyway, not forgetting Waxoyl injection in the header rail and pillars, and behind the top dash rail, so the seams are well protected internally.

[59 Speed]

Cheers everyone!

I thought that applying a sealant would hopefully stop any water coming in, maybe it will do more harm than good.

I have etch primed, high build primed and top coated the windscreen surrounds after removing any rust and will be using dinitrol in all the seams under the screen and around the car so hopefully it will be protected.

Thanks again,
Ian

[Fast Ivan]

arbomast is what you want