Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattle350
I got a quote for resealing the 7 fixed windows that are on my 1998 Ford E-350. It's more than I can spend right now so I guess I'll be doing this myself. I am pretty handy given my 25 years of construction experience. The glass place that did the quote mentioned the stock butyl tape used is a common problem so they wanted to use a urethane sealer as a replacement. I did some google searches and I found some youtube vids. Everyone does a pretty good job of showing how to do this but what I didn't see was what kind of sealer to buy. Any advice as what is the best product for this would be great.
Also, the glass shop quoted about $1050 to do all 7 windows. Does that sound about right? Seemed fair to me based on the amount of work. Just not in the cards for me right now. If it were closer to $600 I might pay to have it done as I am very busy with other life stuff.
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I've done this over the time in all of my windows, is a PITA, nasty job, but for sure you can do it yourself.
Fo this job you'll need:
- big flat screw driver
- shims or more flat screw drivers
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- rubbing lcohol
- goo gone
- rags
- a hell lot of
beer, depending on the window you're doing, you're in for at least half a day.
1) Remove all the bolts, go in a circle, then put one back at the top screwing only a cople turns
2) Remove the window: stick a flat screw driver between the window frame (black plastic) and the body, twist it to separate the window a little bit, this is usually easier right before where the corners are or between two bolts. You will need to put some shims in between as you keep moving with the screwdriver so it doesn't stick back together. Tip: Don't use the screwdriver as a lever, you'll risk breaking the glass, twist it instead. If it is too hard, grab a utility knife a score a cut in between.
3) After you went all the way around, ask someone to hold the window outside while you take out the one nut you put back in step one, push the window out
4) Clean clean clean.... this is the most tedious part. I use a flat screwdriver as a spatula to get the gunk off,you can also use rubbing alcohol to get it out and goo gone which will literally disintegrate it. I only use goo gone at the end because it makes a real mess if there's some gunk left out. This needs to be done in the window frame and the body. After goo gone always wipe with rubbing alcohol.
For the record, step 4 takes me between half to one day on the big windows.
5) Once both surfaces are clean, reapply the sealer to the window framelike putting tape in a channel). I've used the ribbon linked above(one for a big window)
Tips to apply, start at the bottom middle and work your way around, do not cut it until you get back to the starting point.
6) Reinstall window: carefully align the bolts in the holes and put all the nuts back DO NOT TIGHTEN YET
7) Take the smallest socket wrench you have and grab it as close to the socket as you can (decrease leverage to avoid breaking the glass). Start tighening slowly in circle, do a couple of circles around. It should not be tightened all the way, it should be just enough that the sealing ribbon compresses between the frame and the body.
8) Leak test!