Re: [DML] Fixed side window seal

["ksgrimsr" <knut.s.grimsrud@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have received a couple helpful comments and followup questions 
about the side window seal I'm taling about, so instead of leaving 
everyone guessing I thought I'd include a few more details.

The part for the seal in question does not appear in my parts manual 
(and probably not in yours either). The helpful DMCH folks didn't 
have any trouble finding it based on the description, and from the 
packing slip it appears the part number is 110731 (it is listed in 
the DMCH web site, but it is not depicted in the corresponding parts 
manual figure).

>From the notes I have received thus far, it appears that if there is 
a cutoff, it is between VIN 6251 and 6292.

Removing/refinishing the metal window channel and installing the 
seal is not a particulaly difficult task, although it may try your 
patience. It took me several beers over the course of an afternoon 
to get it all together again.

Removal is tedious but straightforward. Start by removing the inside 
upper door panel using the usual procedure. Then remove the upper 
window retaining bracket that sits along the windowsill. 
Incidentally, this bracket holds the "fuzzy caterpillar" that is the 
inside velvet trim that brushes up against the window. On my car, 
the fuzz was peeing off the backing and looked pretty shabby (I have 
seen a lot of other cars that have the same issue). Use the 
opportunity to fix that issue while you're at it.

The metal channel is held in place with a pop-rivet at either end. 
Carefully drill the heads off the pop-rivets in order to liberate 
the ends. The tedious parts starts with cutting the RTV away from 
both the inside and ourtside of the channel sufficiently for the 
metal channel to let go of the fixed glass. I found that a lot of 
work with an EXacto knife (and going through a number of blades) 
works OK with sufficient patience. I also found a piece of metal 
wire embedded in both of my channels that functioned like a zip cord 
in liberating the metal channel from the fixed glass (not sure 
that's what it was for, but I was removing it all anyway). After a 
number of beers and a lot of patience cutting, the metal channel can 
be pulled loose.

Send the metal channel off for bead-blasting and powdercoating using 
a semi-gloss black finish. You could do some sanding followed by a 
spray with a rattle-can special (Krylon) to refinish the trim, but 
for as tedious as the work is there's no point in cutting corners.

Re-installing the metal channel and seal can also be tedious, 
although not difficult. Instead of using pop-rivets for the ends of 
the metal channel, I merely tapped the holes to a convenient size 
and used machine screws. I'm sure sheet metal screws would work fine 
as well (or you could use pop-rivets again). Be careful to ensure 
your screws are short enough to avoid putting a dimple in the 
exterior skin.

The seal is a bit unwieldy to get seated. Starting at the front 
corner, I got the seal started. Using a small non-sharp implement (I 
used a miniature screwdriver that had the blade blunted) you'll need 
to run it along the edge between the glass and the seal on both the 
inside and outside in order to get the glass to slip into the seal 
without bunching the seal down into the groove. After I got the one 
end started with some progress, I fastened the retaining screw for 
that end. It's then a matter of working your way all along the 
length of the strip. Because of the shape, you'll have to get the 
opposite side started when you get halfway and then work your way 
towards the center.

Like I said, it's a little tedious, but it's not difficult and I 
find that the results are a nice visual improvement and make the car 
appear much more finished.

As always, the usual disclaimers apply.

             Knut


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, kevin creason <kcreason77@xxxx> 
wrote:
> October '81 (#4687, early in the month I think), RTV.
> No wonder it leaks in heavy Houston rain.
> 
> The other seals around the fixed window are also
> problematic. I took 'er through a touchless carwash
> last week for the first time. Boy was I surprised at
> the drips from the windows.
> I guess I'll have to do all new seals, all the way
> around.
> 
> 
> --- ksgrimsr <knut.s.grimsrud@xxxx> wrote:
> 
> > I finished re-installing my refinished toll both
> > window trim this 
> > weekend. On my '81 the metal trim separating the
> > fixed glass from 
> > the tollboth window needed to be refinished and in
> > the process I 
> > thought I'd fix something that had been bugging me
> > for a while.
> > 
> > On my late '83 DeLorean, there is nicely profiled
> > rubber gasket 
> > between the metal trim piece and the fixed glass,
> > while on my 
> > late '81 it appeared to have been glued in with RTV
> > sealant and 
> > looked like crap. I hadn't taken close note of
> > others' cars, but I 
> > had presumed that my '81 had been broken into and
> > had an amateur 
> > repair job done. To my surprise, at the recent tech
> > session I took 
> > note and it appeared that all the cars (sampling of
> > 4 or 5) had the 
> > same crappy-looking RTV sealant between the
> > tollbooth trim and the 
> > fixed glass instead of a rubber seal/gasket.
> > 
> > My '81 now has a nicely profiled gasket like my '83
> > and it looks 
> > much sharper now, but I'm curious what the cutoff is
> > for cars that 
> > do or don't have the profiled gasket. Do everyone's
> > '81 cars have 
> > RTV sealant between the metal trim piece and the
> > fixed glass instead 
> > of a rubber seal/gasket? Is the seal/gasket only
> > present on '83?
> > 
> >      Knut
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > To address comments privately to the moderating
> > team, please address:
> > moderators@xxxx
> > 
> > For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for
> > sale see www.dmcnews.com
> > 
> > To search the archives or view files, log in at
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> >     dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
> http://mail.yahoo.com




To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx

For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com

To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/