6 replies to this topic

[Bobbins]

I’m looking for a consensus on the use of sealant when fitting the rear glass.

It’s reaching the point where the rear glass is going back in my ‘98 which has a new Mpi headlining and rear quarter trims. I used proper sealant on the seals for the opening quarter lights but they were much easier, only the upper section is the headlining and a much easier seal to fit. By contrast the rear glass seal has Mpi headlining material all the way round and I think it’s going to get messy, there’s not a chance that errant sealant could be wiped off the Mpi material!

Is it usual to add the sealant between the seal and body (or rather Mpi fabric) or just between the seal and the glass? All tips welcome!

Stu.

[68+86auto]

It's only needed on the outside of the car. Install the windscreen and then just push the sealant nozzle behind the seal to apply the sealant. Be prepared to clean up the excess sealant, it will only be on the outside though, not the interior.

 

A mastic type sealant should be used.

 

I had to put it between the seal and body as well as the seal and glass.

Edited by 68+86auto, 09 August 2024 - 03:57 AM.

[Bobbins]

Thanks, that sounds ideal.

I have sealant (recommended here) and when I did the rear quarter light seals it was straightforward to apply a thin bead of seal inside the recess, then knock the seal into place. All well away from the fabric and easy to wipe anny excess off the outside.

Fitting the glass first at the rear does make sense.

[mini-mad-mark]

Maybe a poll here - sealant round the windows (outside) yes/no? To see what the general opinion is although I'm not saying I'd be swayed by the result...

 

If you think about it there are four "zones" you could put sealant (foir a fixed window)

 

Inside between glass and seal 

Inside between body and seal (the area that would affect the headlining

Outside between glass and seal

Outside between body and seal

 

Never used sealant on recent cars but my very first mini leaked round the front windscreen until I had a window guy seal it with something like Arbomast non-setting sealant which he pushed under the seal from the outside (body side and glass side)  - if you add sealant on the outside can't see how it's necessary on the inside? It was 38 years ago so I don't remember the exact details but I think he removed the filler strip to make it easier to get the nozzle under the seal then put the filler strip back in and cleaned off the excess that was squeezed out - guess this was back in the day when bonded windscreens were a relatively new thing and window fitters knew how to handle an old style window.....

 

 

I see you say "fitting the glass first" - never done that personally, always fitted the seal to the body then put the glass into the seal (plastic bike tyre lever) - I have seen videos of people using the "string" method to pull the seal onto the body but not sure if it's the thing for a mini (maybe I'm wrong, it might be the preferred choice of some folks, just my thoughts)

Edited by mini-mad-mark, 09 August 2024 - 10:16 PM.

[Bobbins]

“Fitting the glass first” was reference to prior to sealing, not fitting the seal. Okay, technically correct wording would be fit the seal first, then fit the glass, then seal, then add the finisher!

[roblightbody]

Both my front and rear windows were fitted without sealant, and have never leaked. They were however fitted by an old mini specialist who know exactly what he was doing!

[Ethel]

I've had Minis that leaked occasionally  in the corners of the front screen, never any issues with the rear.