Aust Hardtop, putting stainless onto 1/4 glass

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70Hardtop

70Hardtop

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Hi all, this post is similar to the one from Dodgedartconv however I need to know if anyone has experience in getting the stainless strip (which holds the fuzzy weather strip) onto the glass. Mine is very tight and just won't stay there, keeps popping out. The glass setting tape or whatever is inside the groove but it is not tape but looks like a plastic liner. And it is tough because it was soaking in turps (mineral turpentine) for about 20 min and didn't harm it at all.

My first attempt I used SicaFlex polyurethane in the groove to try and get the glass to bond in there firmly but that was aborted as the glass would just not go in all the way. That's why all the turps, as I spent over an hour cleaning the polyurethane off the glass and out of the groove.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
70Hardtop said:
Hi all, this post is similar to the one from Dodgedartconv however I need to know if anyone has experience in getting the stainless strip (which holds the fuzzy weather strip) onto the glass. Mine is very tight and just won't stay there, keeps popping out. The glass setting tape or whatever is inside the groove but it is not tape but looks like a plastic liner. And it is tough because it was soaking in turps (mineral turpentine) for about 20 min and didn't harm it at all.

My first attempt I used SicaFlex polyurethane in the groove to try and get the glass to bond in there firmly but that was aborted as the glass would just not go in all the way. That's why all the turps, as I spent over an hour cleaning the polyurethane off the glass and out of the groove.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

You need 2/32 glass setting tape to properly set the chrome moulding to the glass. I got some from Restoration Specialties.
First, remove the chrome moulding, clean up inside the moulding and the glass where it installs. Then, mould the setting tape over the glass where the chrome moulding goes and the press the moulding onto the glass. I used a rubber mallet to lightly tap the chrome moulding in place and then, use a sharp blade to trim the excess setting tape. Works great and is very easy to do! I also used it on the bottom chrome piece of my vent glass .

Hope this helps!!
 
Thanks for that advice, yes I read about that but wasn't sure after looking into the groove of mine, as it looks so permanent. I will certainly get some of that tape. But seems a shame to remove the liner that is in there, it looks in such good condition, as if it's a permanent part! Must be good stuff.

Don't forget though that these are stainless -100%. You can get some 800 wet 'n dry paper (always use with water though) and then 1200 and remove the marks or small scratches in it, then polish with metal polish. That can't be done with chrome. The vent window holders as you say (lower) are chrome yes, along with the angled part of the window frame but the upright part (where the door glass slides) is polished stainless steel. Sometimes you can see the slight colour difference where they meet at the top. So it's a mix of metals.

Here in Australia, on these Valiant Hardtops, which are pretty much the Dodge 68-70 Darts, most people call the windscreen and rear window surrounds "chrome" and when you tell them it's stainless steel, they look at you funny or as if you don't know what you're talking about. Yes looks like chrome but isn't. World of difference. Bumpers are chrome and some other smaller parts but actually most other shiny silver stuff on these cars is stainless, and also some body trim is also anodised aluminium. Had a windscreen fitted a few days ago and while he was doing his thing, I was polishing the windscreen surrounds with AutoSol. Even the windscreen installer was calling them chrome! So that shows the extent of people's understanding.

Sorry for the lesson, just thought I would mention it.
 
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70Hardtop said:
Thanks for that advice, yes I read about that but wasn't sure after looking into the groove of mine, as it looks so permanent. I will certainly get some of that tape. But seems a shame to remove the liner that is in there, it looks in such good condition, as if it's a permanent part! Must be good stuff.

Don't forget though that these are stainless -100%. You can get some 800 wet 'n dry paper (always use with water though) and then 1200 and remove the marks or small scratches in it, then polish with metal polish. That can't be done with chrome. The vent window holders as you say (lower) are chrome yes, along with the angled part of the window frame but the upright part (where the door glass slides) is polished stainless steel. Sometimes you can see the slight colour difference where they meet at the top. So it's a mix of metals.

Here in Australia, on these Valiant Hardtops, which are pretty much the Dodge 68-70 Darts, most people call the windscreen and rear window surrounds "chrome" and when you tell them it's stainless steel, they look at you funny or as if you don't know what you're talking about. Yes looks like chrome but isn't. World of difference. Bumpers are chrome and some other smaller parts but actually most other shiny silver stuff on these cars is stainless, and also some body trim is also anodised aluminium. Had a windscreen fitted a few days ago and while he was doing his thing, I was polishing the windscreen surrounds with AutoSol. Even the windscreen installer was calling them chrome! So that shows the extent of people's understanding.

Sorry for the lesson, just thought I would mention it.
Click to expand...


Ya, I found out about the stainless when I restored mine. I started with 400 paper and went up to 2500. then, used 4 different compounds on buffing wheels, then finished with Autosol and waxed. Stainless now looks factory fresh!
As for that liner, its actually glass setting tape that's hardened up over time and now looks an feels like plastic. Remember, its close to 50 years old! I also have refinished the anodized finishes on a lot of the aluminum parts on my 68 Barracuda. Came out great. (go to Members Restorations, "Supercuda's Back" if you would like to see the results).

Good luck with your project.
 
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