1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

[Dan D.]

I took the door glass out of its frame to polish the stainless frame. I was able to get it apart using hot water, some time, and a lot of patience. But it came apart with no damage (original glass - not about to break it).

I bought new "tapes", as Corvette Central calls it. But what they sent me was strips - not channel rubber. The strips are 1-1/2" wide, which is way too wide and means I will have to trim them after installation. This I probably can do okay. Additionally, one side is semi-sticky and has release paper. The other kicker is they are about .005 thicker than the originals.

My question is has anybody used these things, and if so how did you do it. I would have to cut and miter the corners somehow, and form them over the glass. I don't think the sticky back would slide into the frame, and being .010 thicker (total -for both sides), I don't see how this can work. NOT going to break the glass. Has anybody done this?

Thanks,
-Dan-

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

Dan,

Great question, I hope someone out there will shed some light on this process as I need to replace mine.

Bruce B

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

Dan & Bruce -

When I did my last '57 (in 1996), I applied the setting tape to the glass, mitered the tape at the corners with a razor blade so the butt joints were flat, then installed the glass to the frames. If the tape isn't mitered at the corners and is bunched-up, it's near-impossible to seat the glass in the frame.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

Dan & Bruce -

When I did my last '57 (in 1996), I applied the setting tape to the glass, mitered the tape at the corners with a razor blade so the butt joints were flat, then installed the glass to the frames. If the tape isn't mitered at the corners and is bunched-up, it's near-impossible to seat the glass in the frame.

John, my glass has never been removed from the frames. After the new tape was installed on the glass was it difficult to get the glass back in the frame? Could you do it by just forcing the glass in the frame?

Thanks!

Steve

[Joel M.]

Re: 1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

After several less than satisfactory results over the years I began purchasing Auto City Classic's rubber channel that fits the glass. Lay the channel over the glass and make mitres with a hobby knife. Use an abundant amount of electricians super slick wire pulling goop and the glass will slide into the frame. Cannot recall but I may or may not have used some pipe clamps to make sure all was seated well. Install the lower horizontal bar frame connector ( two screws on each end) and then using the frame as the guide drag a sharp hobby knife along the edge to remove any of the rubber channel that is protruding. Works for me.--Regards/Joel Miller

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

Joel, are you bringing the '57 to the Lone Star Regional?

Steve

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

John, my glass has never been removed from the frames. After the new tape was installed on the glass was it difficult to get the glass back in the frame? Could you do it by just forcing the glass in the frame?

Thanks!

Steve

Steve -

As I recall, I just used a 50-50 solution of Joy soap and water on the tape (after applying the tape to the glass), worked the glass into the frame, installed the lower frame member, and trimmed the excess tape around both sides of the frame.

[Scott K.]

Re: 1957 Door Glass to Frame Gasket

You definitely will need to trim excess tape in this application, and it is soft enough to do so. We recommend using a spray lubricant or WD40 to work the glass into the frame. No need to mitre.