Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

[Patrick H.]

As I've mentioned here, I've been working on a 72 coupe the past couple of months. One of the projects has been to remove the windshield header and trim, fix a small amount of rust damage, and put it back together. Thankfully I finished that job this week, and I thought I'd report back.

It was mentioned here on the board that someone (Alan Struck?) had used fabric paint, specifically the "Scribbles" brand in Iridescent silver, to color black 3M Strip-Calk and make it appear a silver color just like original.

When I was at the craft store (Michaels) I found the Scribbles brand, and at $0.99 it was easy to justify purchasing it. However, I also found a "DecoFabric" fabric paint pen. Though more expensive at $3.99 I bought it to use in comparison.

I tried both products on samples of Strip-Calk, and let them dry for a few days. I then went back and evaluated the color and appearance of the samples. In my opinion, the DecoFabric wins this comparison hands down.

Why?

It has a nice felt tip which is easy to control. The Scribbles dribbles and squirts, and does not come out evenly. The DecoFabric was much more even in application, and since it comes in a "stick" form it's easy to glide along the sealant to apply. In looking at appearance, the Scribbles is to a degree shiny, whereas the DecoFabric sample - and real life application - appear more of a dull silver as original.

I've attached a picture of the seam after coloring, as well as pictures of the products. Getting the seam filled, leveling it and making it all pretty was a few hours of work. Coloring it was the easy part.

Patrick

[Bill C.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Patrick,

Looks really nice...


Here is an issue I ran into on my car....
the 3M caulk you used to fill in the gap does not really dry up / harden. The rubber strip under the L&R T-top leading chrome edge will mush into the gap area between the two pieces of chrome. It will mess the caulk up. At least it kept doing this on mine.

I eventually got the caulk out and used a hi-heat gasket sealer (that is light gray in color). I can take the tops on and off and it will not mes up anymore and I get a very good seal too.

Your car may not have this issue - it will depend on how the tops are oriented front to back.


When I get back Monday after lunch, I 'll take a couple pics and post them.

[Paul O.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Patrick from the cars I helped take apart or repair and my 71 and 73 the material that was between the leading edge trim and the back trim was a light gray on top exposed to the sun but was black underneath the trim. Theses were all unmolested car till we started the job just wonder if the sun just bleached the exposed area to gray. Just a thought. Paul 18046

[Jim T.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Paul I have owned my 1970 since it was new and the top sealer was not black when I bought it.

[Paul O.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Jim just saying that's what I found underneath was black not silver/gray. Owned my 71 from 1974 2nd owner till 2006. Plus I can not remember the color of the sealer when I purchased the car. We are looking at the material 35 years later. If you have taken yours apart what did you find under the trim and Patrick what was the color under the trim on the car you did. On my cars and the 12 others I have worked on the caulk was black under the trim the only gray caulk I have seen there was under the corner chrome trim. Paul 18046

[Rich G.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Speaking of caulk, I took my trim off to get polished and it also had black caulk. What are you using to replace it with? Do you have a brand and part number? Thanks

[Paul O.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Rich I use 3M strip caulk comes in a thin long medium blue box. Others may use something else. Paul 18046

[Patrick H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Yep, 3M Strip-Calk.

The consensus in the last couple of threads is that the visible edge of the caulk is silver/gray, and came that way. I'd love to check out some of Ed Foss' collection to see if this is true.

Hey Dave S, how about your late 71?

Note the pic below of my 72. You can see the lighter color of the caulk, which has sunk into the gap. If you look at the picture on my very first post of this thread (which is a different car - not mine), note that I purposely have the caulk below the level of the header and the winshield trim so that the T-tops don't "mess it up." This is consistent with what I saw before I removed the trim. The gap is larger than it was when I took it all apart, but this is somewhat intentional. There is a lot of Strip-Calk now jammed down in there to both prevent leaks and keep it from "sinking" down.

Patrick

[Steven B.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

What years used the silver? '68-'82?

Thanks!

Steve

[Terry M.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

My early 1970 has the silver caulk.

[Alan S.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Hi Patrick,
I'm going to check out the Deco-Fabric. It sounds promising from your description.
When I used 'Scribbles', I spent some time (when time is free it's easy to spend) practicing to learn to control the flow. I also found that I could put one 'line' down to seal the 'joint', and then the next day, another 'line' to give it the visible appearance I wanted.
I agree that the original sealer is quite 'flat' in sheen, so I rubbed the dried surface with lacquer thinner to flatten it a little.
Regards,
Alan

[Greg H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

My '70 windshield trim has not been removed, and still has the silver caulk, but it is failing to keep the seal. It is very hard and brittle, with gaps where pieces have fallen out. I do get small amounts of water leaking through where the gaps are most severe.

I was thinking of trying to use tile grout to replace it. Non-sanded grout is good for very small gaps and is available in many colors. I'm pretty sure I can find something very close to what is currently in place. I'm not sure it would stay in place or if there would be too much flexing to keep it that way.

Has anyone tried this?

[Dave S.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Yep, 3M Strip-Calk.

The consensus in the last couple of threads is that the visible edge of the caulk is silver/gray, and came that way. I'd love to check out some of Ed Foss' collection to see if this is true.

Hey Dave S, how about your late 71?

Note the pic below of my 72. You can see the lighter color of the caulk, which has sunk into the gap. If you look at the picture on my very first post of this thread (which is a different car - not mine), note that I purposely have the caulk below the level of the header and the winshield trim so that the T-tops don't "mess it up." This is consistent with what I saw before I removed the trim. The gap is larger than it was when I took it all apart, but this is somewhat intentional. There is a lot of Strip-Calk now jammed down in there to both prevent leaks and keep it from "sinking" down.

Patrick

Hey Patrick,
I'm only 7 months late. Sorry
All three of my Bowtie sharks (1 - 70 & 2 - 71's) have original windshields. They all show varying amounts of silver caulking. From what I have seen that is the norm for original windshield cars.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

My '70 windshield trim has not been removed, and still has the silver caulk, but it is failing to keep the seal. It is very hard and brittle, with gaps where pieces have fallen out. I do get small amounts of water leaking through where the gaps are most severe.

I was thinking of trying to use tile grout to replace it. Non-sanded grout is good for very small gaps and is available in many colors. I'm pretty sure I can find something very close to what is currently in place. I'm not sure it would stay in place or if there would be too much flexing to keep it that way.

Has anyone tried this?

I woudn't do it that way.
The Strip-Calk and silver coloring (fabric paint or whatever) is not tough, and remeber that grout will have a bit of acid in it, and may discolor all the metal. Look at my pictures in other threads, or see below.

Patrick

[Greg H.]

Re: Silver Caulk for windshield header - an update

Here's a picture of my original material. It is very difficult to get out without dis-assembling, but is no longer well adhered. Just brittle and fills all the voids. It was clearly put on after assembly. Good job for a dentist.

Here's the start of removal.

Here's what I found to try instead of grout (though it is sanded and I was looking for non-sanded. Note the color: Delorean Gray (that's a good sign). I have a chip of the original material showing the underside color which was mated to the chrome. It appears to have metal flake in it.