Rusted leaking windshield channel
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 75
Likes: 11
From: Bellingham
Rusted leaking windshield channel
My windshield leaks and I tried flowing some urethane around the problem areas. That didn't help, so I took it to a local auto glass shop. They didn't remove the glass because they could see evidence of rust in the channel that would keep them from successfully resealing it. I've worked with this glass shop a lot over the years and know they are very picky about stuff like this. All I can see when I take the trim off is some surface rust but maybe there's more damage lurking under the glass. Has anyone here taken their windshield out and attempted a repair like this?
The way I look at it, this could fall somewhere in the range of two scenarios:
Best case - There's only surface rust. I can wire wheel it, apply rust inhibitor, paint it and reinstall the windshield.
Worst case - There's rot and holes. Fabricate patches using a sheet metal shrinker/stretcher. Cut out rust and weld in patches. Grind down welds, paint and reinstall windshield.
I'm sure it would be faster and cheaper to repair with bondo or jb weld, but I don't want to have to re-do it in a year.
The way I look at it, this could fall somewhere in the range of two scenarios:
Best case - There's only surface rust. I can wire wheel it, apply rust inhibitor, paint it and reinstall the windshield.
Worst case - There's rot and holes. Fabricate patches using a sheet metal shrinker/stretcher. Cut out rust and weld in patches. Grind down welds, paint and reinstall windshield.
I'm sure it would be faster and cheaper to repair with bondo or jb weld, but I don't want to have to re-do it in a year.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 6
From: Central VA
You're pretty much right on the money with your best & worst case. If you're a decent welder the worst case isn't so bad.
I'll just throw this out there tho--are you sure the water came in from your windshield seal? I've had water get in my cab from some pretty weird places including a dry-rotted hood latch cable boot.
Good luck,
I'll just throw this out there tho--are you sure the water came in from your windshield seal? I've had water get in my cab from some pretty weird places including a dry-rotted hood latch cable boot.
Good luck,
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 75
Likes: 11
From: Bellingham
You're pretty much right on the money with your best & worst case. If you're a decent welder the worst case isn't so bad.
I'll just throw this out there tho--are you sure the water came in from your windshield seal? I've had water get in my cab from some pretty weird places including a dry-rotted hood latch cable boot.
Good luck,
I'll just throw this out there tho--are you sure the water came in from your windshield seal? I've had water get in my cab from some pretty weird places including a dry-rotted hood latch cable boot.
Good luck,
I get drips from the interior trim piece at the top of the windshield on either corner. It wouldn't surprise me if the cab leaks in other places too but you've gotta start with the highest leak and work your way down haha.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,336
Likes: 1,312
From: Central Mississippi
Have a look in some of the older forums. Those guys do a lot of these type repairs form small to large.
The effort/work required is pretty much the same & the damage is usually severe.
The effort/work required is pretty much the same & the damage is usually severe.
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