I have some broken reveal molding clips on my car. Can these be replaced without removing the back glass? It looks like someone has put some kind of sealer around the window so I doubt it will come out very easily. I would rather not risk breaking it while trying to remove it.

If I recall correctly the clips cannot be replaced without taking the window out. It seems the angle needed with your screw driver is going to be impossible with the glass in the way. Does the window leak now?

Beyond that, I have been told by a knowledgeable old glass guy that they no longer make the dam that goes on the pinch weld around these old windows with gaskets such as these have. The gasket alone is not enough to keep the water out. They recommend filling the gasket slot with sealant as you install it, but even this is often not enough to keep it from leaking. And the design of that glass traps water where it sits and works on the seal.

In the original design, and again, I have this on good authority from an old glass guy here in town, they had what was similar to butyl rubber on the pinch weld before they slipped the gasket onto it. This dam sits higher than the metal of the pinch weld, and serves to lead the water away from the window. This was, according to this man, a common practice when these cars were made, and now that all new glass is glued directly to the pinch weld, all that old technology is unknown to the newer glass places.

This is the man who installed my glass. He warned me it would leak. And, it does. It has actually gotten better with time. I suspect dirt and crap has filled the voids somewhat. This is why the goop is around your window. And, if they used acidic silicone sealant, that is why your reveal molding clips are rusted away. Sorry, man. It is not a pretty picture.

I told myself that if I ever restored another one of these cars, I would weld an extension onto the pinch weld so I could glue the windows in, and then install a faux gasket just for looks inside and out. I doubt very much if I will restore another car in this life time. Good luck with yours.

Sam

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