Water leak found, now?

[Douglas C.]

73 convertible. Square panel in wiper trough, driver side is cause. Poured water in trough and end drains drain to ground perfectly. Water on wiper transmissions and no leaks. Just that panel with slight gaps letting water in. So, suggestions on what I can nearly brush on neatly, figure do entire trough area for good order. See pic of panel and how clean trough is. Tks. Doug[ATTACH=CONFIG]10957620211218_100221.jpg

[Patrick H.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

"That panel with slight gaps" - OK, maybe it's obvious to someone else, but do you mean the panel held with the 4 hex screws or something else?

If so, I'd remove the panel, and use a thin line of new black strip caulk on the lip, then reinstall. Leak gone.

[Douglas C.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

"That panel with slight gaps" - OK, maybe it's obvious to someone else, but do you mean the panel held with the 4 hex screws or something else?

If so, I'd remove the panel, and use a thin line of new black strip caulk on the lip, then reinstall. Leak gone.

Square panel with four bolts. Looks like two rivets also, so figured it can't be removed. Plus don't those four bolts hold the pedals?20211218_215224.jpg

[Patrick H.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

No one said you had to remove it all the way. Loosen, lift panel, strip caulk and reinstall. Done.
If it doesn't loosen, you'll find out if the rivets hold it in place.

If so, I'd just put a thin bit of strip caulk along each of the 4 edges.

[Mark E.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

This was a common complaint when I worked at a Corvette body shop in the '70s. We removed the wipers, masked the area and shot the cowl with undercoating. It looked clean but not NCRS kosher today.

[Douglas C.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

This was a common complaint when I worked at a Corvette body shop in the '70s. We removed the wipers, masked the area and shot the cowl with undercoating. It looked clean but not NCRS kosher today.

I'll try the strip caulk and be neat as I can. That is the only leak area. The whole cowl area is so clean and nicely done I hate to mess it up. I'll check around if i can find a light coating i can brush on also that will blend in. Doug

[Mark F.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

I'll try the strip caulk and be neat as I can. That is the only leak area. The whole cowl area is so clean and nicely done I hate to mess it up. I'll check around if i can find a light coating i can brush on also that will blend in. Doug

Hi Doug,

I have used 3M strip caulk to seal leaking gaps on my windshield garnish moldings...
What I think helps for a crisp look is if you "roll" a small section back and forth in the palms of your hands to get the caulk warm - and then rather swiftly tuck it in place.
Also, quickly after you think you have the whole section you've just done sealed, take your index finger and wipe the excess off while it's still "warm"(?)
If that doesn't give you the clean, undetectable look you want, I'm sure isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or some other solvent would clean off the excess nicely...and I doubt anyone could see it had been done - or look NTFP...good luck...Happy Holidays!

[Douglas C.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

Hi Doug,

I have used 3M strip caulk to seal leaking gaps on my windshield garnish moldings...
What I think helps for a crisp look is if you "roll" a small section back and forth in the palms of your hands to get the caulk warm - and then rather swiftly tuck it in place.
Also, quickly after you think you have the whole section you've just done sealed, take your index finger and wipe the excess off while it's still "warm"(?)
If that doesn't give you the clean, undetectable look you want, I'm sure isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or some other solvent would clean off the excess nicely...and I doubt anyone could see it had been done - or look NTFP...good luck...Happy Holidays!

Thanks Mark. I was thinking of that, rolling it in my hands to make a thin round strip. Tuck it in the edge and finger or putty knife smoothing it out. Maybe it won't even be noticed. Tks. Happy Holidays!

[Douglas C.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

Ok, decided to put 3M Strip Caulk around the square panel. I think it looks somewhat factory. I worked in the body shop of a Chevy dealership from around 1969 thru 1975. If a new car customer complained about a leak we would just glob some goop and say it's fixed. So thinking back I think any 50 + year old "untouched original " could have some small odd things. Looking at the overall pic now I don't think it looks unusual unless you know I made this fix. Thoughts? Doug 20211220_182058.jpg20211220_183935.jpg

[Dave H.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

I'm not a concours expert (by any means), but this fix looks like a factory-type deal. I would do that too. Very functional.

Does the photo show the rivet head on the port side with an air gap (leak path)?

[Douglas C.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

I'm not a concours expert (by any means), but this fix looks like a factory-type deal. I would do that too. Very functional.

Does the photo show the rivet head on the port side with an air gap (leak path)?

Good eye about the rivet. Looking close it looks sealed, but I may take a tiny brush and satin paint and dab around the rivets. Thanks for pointing that out.

I was tempted to take a putty knife and smooth the strip caulk but figured that would look too nice, if that makes sense. Tks. Doug

[Mark E.]

Re: Water leak found, now?

A nit, but when applying caulk, it's best to push it along with the tip.