Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

[David C.]

I have read a number of posts and yet I am still not clear which caulk or sealer is correct for the gap between the "Molding-W/S Upr Reveal" and the "Molding Roof Ctr Support Rvl?" This is for a 1973 convertible. The AIM does not specifiy anything for the gap between these two moldings, yet my car has what appears to be black caulk, of which some is missing, and which I need to replace. Picture below. I suppose I can get some 3M strip caulk to fill it, but is this right?
Thanks.

Molding1.jpgMolding2.jpgMolding3.jpgMolding4.jpg

[Alan S.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Hi David,
I don't think a black caulk would be similar to what was typically used at that joint.
I believe it was a light to medium gray color caulk/sealer with a bit of a silver hue.
It set up completely hard once it was applied.
This is an item from a craft store that looks o.k. visually, and sets up hard so it's stable; but perhaps someone can suggest something that's more technically correct.
Regards,
Alan

[Patrick H.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

I've done it exactly as Alan describes and it works reasonably well. Until a perfect caulk is found, which probably won't happen, using a bottle of Scribbles from the craft store is a reasonable fix.

[Bill L.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

AMK Products has Gray Strip Caulk body sealer Item B-11608 on page 167. It does not say if it is paintable or not.

Curious if anyone has used this strip caulk.


Bill

[Jim T.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

I used the 3M strip caulk when I reinstalled my stainless on my 1970 coupe way back in 1990. I painted it with the Krylon black that is not as available as it once was. The paint has held up well and also the installation of the strip caulk. Using the Silver paint in the above post might adhere to the 3M strip caulk like the Krylon paint has on my application.

[Alan S.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Hi,
The Scribbles is such a 'left field' choice that I hesitate to suggest it's use.
It's very thick bodied; and in addition, the bottle has a tip that allows it to be applied in a small bead. I allow it to set briefly and smooth it (if needed) using a cloth with mineral spirits on it.
I've compared it to some samples of the original sealer from my windshield trim and it seems very similar.
I understand using the 3M strip caulk in installing the windshield ss trim, but this silver, hard setting, material seems proper for this use which I consider more cosmetic since it's the only sealer on the ss trim that can be seen.
If things (the trim) have gone back together well only a very small bead is required and this silver paint seems to adhere well even when a thin bead is applied.
Regards.
Alan

Here's an example of a very small bead filling really no gap, just the joint between the ss pieces.

[Bill L.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Hi,
The Scribbles is such a 'left field' choice that I hesitate to suggest it's use.
It's very thick bodied; and in addition, the bottle has a tip that allows it to be applied in a small bead. I allow it to set briefly and smooth it (if needed) using a cloth with mineral spirits on it.
I've compared it to some samples of the original sealer from my windshield trim and it seems very similar.
I understand using the 3M strip caulk in installing the windshield ss trim, but this silver, hard setting, material seems proper for this use which I consider more cosmetic since it's the only sealer on the ss trim that can be seen.
If things (the trim) have gone back together well only a very small bead is required and this silver paint seems to adhere well even when a thin bead is applied.
Regards.
Alan

Here's an example of a very small bead filling really no gap, just the joint between the ss pieces.

HI Alan and Happy New Year. Did you first press some strip caulk before using scribbles?

Thanks, Bill

[Alan S.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Hi Bill,
I used the 3M strip caulk lowdown at the base of the joint between the large ss piece (molding roof center support reveal on coupes) and the long thin ss piece (molding windshield upper reveal). I tidied up enough that there was none visible at the top of the joint before applying the silver seal. Look at UPC 1asm, Sheet F9, View A, and you'll see the bead of black caulk at the base of the joint between the two ss pieces..
If copious amounts of caulk were applied it would ooze up to where the silver seal is applied; but I was careful that that didn't happen.
This same silver seal was used in the joint between the a-pillar ss trim and the ss weatherstrip retainer. Here's a pic of my a-pillar ss trim coming apart about 15 years ago. Notice how silver the sealer looks. The seal is splitting apart because I've begun to pry the weatherstrip retainer loose from the a-pillar molding. I'm not sure that I've ever heard it's use in this location mentioned.
I haven't been able to find it's use shown in the AIM either.
Regards,
Alan

I think part of the problem in deciding just what was used originally is that such a large percentage of cars have had the windshield replaced , or the trim removed for other reasons that it's difficult to see an original sealer installation.

[David C.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Thanks all!
As an alternative, what about the possibility of using Mortite? It is a grey colored strip type of caulk.

[Alan S.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Hi David,
The Mortite B2 looks to be a good color.
I'm not familiar with how Mortite 'sets up' though.
Does it stay somewhat soft or does it become hard?
If it's a material similar to the 3M strip caulk it really stays too soft for this application and would become difficult to maintain because the foreign material sticks to it.
It might be more suitable for use as the sealer that's under the ss trim.
Do you have some Mortite to test?
Regards,
Alan

The posts in the Similar Thread list at the bottom of this page discuss and show the Mortite. I'm not convinced that it's what I found on my 71. I found a silver/gray material at the point at which it was visible, and black and gray materials further below for sealing.

This poor picture of the underside of the ss trim piece shows a material similar to black 3M caulk at the flange area of the trim piece that clips over the windshield header, then a semi-hard gray material that I would describe as being similar to old fashion window 'glazing' material, and then a soft black rectangular self adhesive foam strip.

[David C.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Alan, I have actually used the Mortite, not for Corvette windshield trim but as a window caulk in our 1930s home when we lived up north. It is of similar consistency to the 3M strip caulk, pliable and somewhat gummy, but it does firm up some over time. I am not sure whether it is a match for original factory caulk/sealer, but it will work as a weather seal.

[Alan S.]

Re: Which sealer/caulk between windshield reveal moldings on C3 convertible?

Hi David,
From your description it sounds like Mortite has more in common with the 3M strip caulk than the material that was used at the joint you first asked about.
Regards,
Alan