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Windshield seal nightmare

Started by Harv, 09 December 2015, 12:13 PM

polymathman

Our windshield seal is "old school" as the current method is to glue the glass to the body.

The seal method has strengths and weaknesses. If necessary, the windshield can be removed and reinstalled without damaging its sealing ability.

The weakest part of the seal approach, on our cars, is the left and right bottom corners of the glass/seal, where water can stand and work its way in.

There are two types of sealant - setting and non-setting. "Setting" uses a primer and a urethane material. It is an incredibly strong but flexible product that could glue two rough ideas together. It's a one way trip for the gasket, cutting it apart is the only way. Not recommended for this application.

The non-setting is what we want. It is available from MB, not that much, and a tube is more than you need. I would think that 3M would make a good product.

Run a bead inside the glass/seal just enough that when you press the seal to the windshield there is a bit oozing out. Let it dry out for a couple of days, then use a sharp plastic tool to score a line next to the seal, then scrape off the excess on the glass, using lacquer thinner for clean-up. I had enough left over that I also ran it around the gasket/body but that got really messy, and I'm not sure it was necessary. then only place to check well are the corners, especially the bottoms.

One more time: if the seal is installed properly, and the flange is CLEAN, then this is about as good as this type of sealing can be.
190sl 1957 rusting away
250S 1968 long gone
280SE 1976 got hit, parts
280SE 1979 running fine
C320 4Matic 2005 for wife -Mercedes after MIT

Harv

Car is back at the glass place. They'll start work again on Monday.

I told him many times do not use setting sealant. We'll see in a few days what happens.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

marku

Great video makes it look so easy. I struggled with the trim strip as it had been taken out by the PO and then of course he couldn't get it back. Only problem being that he must have bent it slightly on the corners. It is really important that the trim has the same curve as the screen and seal if not it will not sit on the corners. Still a great video and as I am not too satisfied with the results I got I feel inspired enough to take the screen out and have another go.
1974 450SE silver green/bamboo velour/green vinyl roof

Harv

1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

UTn_boy

Do follow Polymathman's advice regarding using the non setting sealant.  I'm currently putting a new windshield in a customers 280S.  It's the original windshield, but the seal has been replaced in the past.  And guess, what they used?   Butyl that is "hard setting".  This means that I'll have to try to cut enough of the rubber away to remove the glass and then pull the seal off in chunks. If the butyl is also between the glass and the seal, it'll be nearly impossible to remove the glass, and you'll just have to break it .  Afterward, I'll spend a few hours cleaning the opening.  For those of you interested, the correct sealant from Mercedes is part number is 001-989-31-20, and currently sells for around $30 USD.   One tube will do the front and rear glass.  Definitely worth the investment.  I still can't believe that this "shop" has been in business as long as they claim and not know how the older windshields were installed.  I guess we shouldn't believe everything we hear....
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

Casey

Quote from: UTn_boy on 14 December 2015, 09:39 AM
Do follow Polymathman's advice regarding using the non setting sealant.  I'm currently putting a new windshield in a customers 280S.  It's the original windshield, but the seal has been replaced in the past.  And guess, what they used?   Butyl that is "hard setting".  This means that I'll have to try to cut enough of the rubber away to remove the glass and then pull the seal off in chunks. If the butyl is also between the glass and the seal, it'll be nearly impossible to remove the glass, and you'll just have to break it .  Afterward, I'll spend a few hours cleaning the opening.  For those of you interested, the correct sealant from Mercedes is part number is 001-989-31-20, and currently sells for around $30 USD.   One tube will do the front and rear glass.  Definitely worth the investment.  I still can't believe that this "shop" has been in business as long as they claim and not know how the older windshields were installed.  I guess we shouldn't believe everything we hear....

Do you know where I can order the MB sealant online?

Harv

1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500


Harv

Well.. they broke the glass.  :'(
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

ptashek

Quote from: Harv on 14 December 2015, 01:49 PM
Well.. they broke the glass.  :'(

Wow...
Talk about utter incompetence.

Will they refund the cost of the glass and seal?
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

daantjie

Quote from: Harv on 14 December 2015, 01:49 PM
Well.. they broke the glass.  :'(

Sounds like the Three Stooges over there holy cow!
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

Harv

They found a new windshield and seal.

He said everything was fine until the very end of pulling the rope and it got extremely tight and sent a crack the whole way through it.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

polymathman


I'm looking to wrap up the video so I can put it on youtube.

Suggestions I've gotten (and will incorporate). Looking for more.

Use blankets for cushioning

END IN THE TOP MIDDLE, NOT THE CORNERS because of increased stress

If replacing the seal and not the glass, mark the alignment of windshield and body - makes install easier

LOT more editing (move God Bless) to the BONUS FEATURES
190sl 1957 rusting away
250S 1968 long gone
280SE 1976 got hit, parts
280SE 1979 running fine
C320 4Matic 2005 for wife -Mercedes after MIT

ptashek

Looking forward to the updated version. My car is getting new glass soon, so this couldn't be timed better :)
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Casey

Why do they need another seal??