Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

[Steven B.]

Similiar to Mike's post on '53-'55 side curtains: In '65 I purchased new side window weatherstrip for the '57. None of the pieces had Bowdrill cloth covering them. Were ANY of these over-the-counter pieces cloth covered or did they all come bare?

Thanks,

Steve

[Richard M.]

Re: Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

Steve, I believe any side window weatherstrips purchased in '65 or later would be the later type without the integrated mounting studs, requiring separate Tee nuts and machine screws. The later type was not cloth covered.

20 years ago I restored my '59 top and bought new w/s. I saved my original side window w/s for years, nearly threw them out a dozen times. There were traces of cloth(Bowdrill) on each of them on the backside. A few years ago I restored them using Bowdrill tape and reinstalled them. Fit much better than the later type.

The tricky part was reconstructing the front portion on each forward horizontal w/s. Originally both horizontals and front header w/s was one piece. I had to glue precut foam to the horizontal pieces to get the correct profile to fit.

Rich

topws033.jpgtopws021.jpgtopws027.jpgtopws019.jpg

[Richard M.]

Re: Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

Original '57 w/s.....

P4100069.jpg57sn4441_124.jpg57sn4441_125.jpg

[Steven B.]

Re: Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

Thanks for the pics Rich. You are correct, the originals fit much better than the later ones. I am restoring my originals and going to use them. Chevs of the 40's has black Bowdrill, 1' X 3' IIRC, for $6.00.

[Richard M.]

Re: Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

Steve,

The Bowdrill I used was adhesive backed. I got it from Steele Rubber Co. I see that Bowdrill you're looking at appears not to be adhesive backed.

http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/9722/Chevrolet_Bowdrill_Cloth_Black_3_X_1_For_Roof_Rail.html

You may want to contact Steele to see if they have it. http://www.steelerubber.com/ I recall it was more expensive but worked well.

Edit......here's an old post with more info.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?57549-C1-Cloth-Covered-Soft-Top-Weatherstrip&p=327489#post327489

It's tricky to get the cloth tight in the corners. I used a long rod to help form the inside corners. Keep the backing paper in place while carefully pressing the cloth, and peel the backing away a little at a time.

As mentioned, I had to glue new end pieces in the front of the forward horizontals. They were originally part of the forward header(as shown in the '57 pics above) and that was deteriorated years ago. I used a close-cell foam and carved it out to match the profile of the w/s and glued together. Then I applied the cloth over the whole piece. Once installed and the convertible top latched in place, you cannot see the transition to the later style header w/s, which is the only type available today. No one makes the original header w/s, as it was one piece including those 2 forward horizontals.


Wrapping into the inside corners
topws022.jpg


Horizontal - Reforming the end piece
topws008.jpg topws013.jpg topws017.jpg

[Steven B.]

Re: Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

Thanks Rich! Much appreciated.

Steve

[Garry B.]

Re: Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

Although Steele Rubber does carry an adhesive backed bowdrill cloth, it's not the quality they used to carry. The adhesive is not very tacky and is applied to the back of the cloth in such a way that it almost separates from the cloth. The I know that it is not the same (roughly two years ago) because once I realized it was not the same, I bought all they had of the old version. My son and I use to make reproduction cloth covered w/s and once we ran out we quit making them due to the quality. You really are just as well off carefully using a rubber cement and buy the cheap stuff. Good luck.
Garry Barnes 18531 www.vettediamondS.com

[Richard M.]

Re: Bowdrilll on '56-'57 soft top side window weatherstrip

Gary,

Thanks for the info. It's unfortunate that Steele changed their Bowdrill supplier. It appears their price is still the same though. It was, and still is, very expensive.

The quality I used when I restored mine was excellent and still looks fine. The adhesive backing was very good then. It was over 2 years ago.

Rich