windshield rebuild

[Stephen R.]

I've just completed the installation of a new weather strip for the windshield on my 59. I have a question regarding the lower trim molding at its ends where it fits into the side frames approximately where those infamous tabs are. The last inch or so of the end of this trim has a lip which appears to be made to slip over the bottom part of the side post. This would draw the trim in to fit tight up against the side of the post. I can't seem to get either end of that trim piece to clip on, I appear to be about 1/16 of an inch too short (vertically). I've tried flatting the trim, squeezing the rubber, soaking it all in soapy water, but nothing works. I really don't want to try and force anything in fear of cracking the glass. Is there a trick to getting those ends to clip on the posts? Do I have to take it all apart and realign something?
Thanks
Steve

[Brad K.]

Re: windshield rebuild

Stephen.....I've done several of these windshields and never had the issue you describe. For these two pieces to intersect, it must be done as the windshield is being assembled off the car. As you push the post onto the corner of the windshield, the front edge must slide into the lower trim piece. The tim piece must have enough of a rollover on the top to slide onto the fairly sharp top edge of the windshield post. Now.....I have also seen a few posts that have been over-buffed prior to chroming to the point when the sharp edge has been effectively removed, which will render the post incapable of holding onto the trim piece. This COULD be your issue.....I don't know....

[Stephen R.]

Re: windshield rebuild

Brad:
Thanks for the reply. I don't think I made myself clear as to what the problem is. I took some pics and have tried to attach them here. Pic 1 shows the lower end of the w/s molding near the frame/post. The molding is not tight against the post base, it sticks out about 1/4 of an inch from the inserted post. Pic 2 shows the bottom part of the molding with a curved edge. Pic 3 shows the bottom of the w/s post by the tabs. There is a short flat area indicated by the screw driver. Is the curved edge of the molding supposed to snap onto that flat area in order to bring the molding up tight against the post?

[Gary C.]

Re: windshield rebuild

Stephen, getting the lower chrome to slip the windshield posts is normally a problem after rechroming the posts. The groves get filled in and have to be recut with a die grinder very carefully. The ST12 has a good picture of the groves. Hope this helps. Good luck, Gary....

Thread to previous post on windshield posts which includes the ST12 picture.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=61163&uid=2298