Windshield Trim Question

[69 COPO]

Had glass company come to put my windshield in today. They couldn't get the trim in the rubber to stay in. Has anyone else had this problem. They 1st tried new GM nos rubber with trim from LMC but it did not want to stay in the slit was wrong in the rubber. Then they brought in an aftermarket windshield rubber and the trim did not want to stay in it either. My old GM trim is dented so I did not want to use. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks

[PHAT TONY]

Trim and rubber must be the same; there's 2 types.

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by 69 COPO

Had glass company come to put my windshield in today. They couldn't get the trim in the rubber to stay in. Has anyone else had this problem. They 1st tried new GM nos rubber with trim from LMC but it did not want to stay in the slit was wrong in the rubber. Then they brought in an aftermarket windshield rubber and the trim did not want to stay in it either. My old GM trim is dented so I did not want to use. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks

My son is a glazier and store manager for Diamond Glass. He just put the new glass/rubber (and my original stainless trim) in my newly repainted 72Jimmy. He is an Expert and it took him maybe an hour... it looks awsome.
I read him your post over the phone... here is his advice...

First and foremost... the aftermarket trim. It is your most likely culprit. Original trim will be the easiest to install. If you dont want to use your trim because it is wasted. Go to a junkyard and get some good original trim. If it fits any 67-72, it will fit yours. You can use the good peices of yours if you have any and are so inclined. Make absoultely sure that you dont 'spring' the peices,that is dont push them past their metalurgical yield... They have memory, and unless your glazier is expert (and patient), he wont get the trim to stay in. When you go to the junkyard, cut the rubber off the inside of the cab with a knife and be gentle as you can in removing the window and rubber/trim. If you go this route, you can repolish the trim to look better than new and WAY better than aftermarket.
Second... the rubber. NOS would be great. Question... Is this really NOS? Did it come in the GM wrap (did you see it)? Second, it could be the wrong year but look similar. Aftermarket rubber can be good or bad, you will find it to be of varying grades. A little good 3M release agent can do wonders here.(lubrication)
Third, the glass. Is your windshield made in China? (definately NOT trying to be funny here). Some cheap Chinese glass doesnt have the right curve to it and may work with a plain rubber gasket but not with Stainless trim. A PPG windshield preferably from Canada (thats the one with the blue sticker and the mapleleaf) is probably the best, a PPG windshield from Mexico is probably a good second choice.
Forth... Your installer. As coincidence would have it, My son is putting a windshield and trim in a 72 truck tommorow. Why is the manager doing the install? Because the two other young installers gave up. Keep in mind that it takes some experience to do these successfully.Also take note... they generally dont make any money on these installs because of the time it takes. I dont like to work for nothing and Ill bet you dont either.
So, there you have it. You can get it done if you want to, it wil just take a little more time and patience. Dont let them talk you into a plain rubber gasket... its just doesnt look as good.

[PHAT TONY]

There are 2 rubbers and 2 trims; one is made for trim to install "above" the glass surface and the other below it. The trim groove in the rubber are different depths, one is 1/4"ish and the other is 7/16"ish. Sounds like short trim in a deep groove.

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

Trim and rubber must be the same; there's 2 types.

Oh Yea... This is correct. There is a deep groove and a shallow groove. The most common is the shallow groove. Thats probably what you have.

[69 COPO]

Thanks guys you are exactly right. My GM Nos rubber is the deep groove. The aftermarket trim was the shallow groove. The Glazier said he could have done about 6 new cars in the time he spent trying to put my windshield in. I think I will use my Nos rubber and try to find the trim piece I need to make my set complete. I need the deep groove trim. Is that certain years that had the deep groove, or is the GM deep groove and the aftermarket shallow groove? Thanks I appreciate the info.

[Tom Vogel]

Thats something I cant tell you... even my son didnt know which year went where. Whats important of course is which You have.

[69 COPO]

Thanks Tom
Tell your son he has a talent if he can do them in an hour. I used to help my dad with them years ago, he was a body man and could do them also very easily. But guys in those days worked with this stuff every day and new what was going on with it. I think the guy I had doing it new his stuff but did not do many of these with the deluxe trim. He tried but said he would not want to do another, takes to long.

[chevy72pu]

Hey Guys, how about the rear window on a '72? I bought replacement rubber and trim but am having trouble finding someone to install it. They all say it is too hard to keep the trim in place during installation. Is it as bad as the windshield?

[michael bustamante]

couldnt you use pieces of body masking tape to kind of keep the trim in place while you work the rubber?

[soba_03]

There is a window seal for 67-69 it has the deep groove and another gasket for 70-72 it has the shallower grove. Depending on what year your trim is from will make a difference. Additionally, the shop that did my window put everything together window,seal, trim and then installed it. First company said that they didn't make the seal with a trim groove...Hogwash.. the second guy said he had a seal in stock, and they instaled the window {before i knew the difference in seals} couldn't get the trim in, so I drove it home that night without the trim. Searched on Line and learned the difference and Bought a seal from Harrmons and it was perfect. Instaler even said it was a dam nice seal. The next day they reinstalled my window for free with the right seal and stainless trim.... Hope this helps...

Additionally, make sure that they use sealer when putting in the new gasket, the original seal on your window had a sealer/filler that went on your window frame before the seal and window go in. It's to prevent driving down the road and having water work it's way around the rubber seal and into the passenger cabin..didn't do it on mine cause I didn't know....ask me how I know now!

Good luck... you will love new glass....

[PHAT TONY]

Don't be surprised if some sealer still leaks, if you look at the bottom corners of the dash at w/shield base you'll see drain holes right from the General.

[69 COPO]

The Glazier working on my windshield installed my back glass in about 15 minutes. He wished the front was as easy. He installed the trim, then put a rope on inside of rubber and pulled out when he had it installed.

[Jim Osborne]

Has anyone used the trim on a chopped top are is this impossable

[msgross]

I just had a windshield installed today.. No trim though.. The installer didn't like the seal that I had from truck shop (California) since it was very stiff and tight (also 45 degrees in the garage).

It took him about 40 minutes by himself but he got it in.. $60 labor so no, they don't make much money on our trucks...

I tried for about 4 hours to get the window in with no success... maybe i'll get an NOS piece next time.. or a better quality..

[lolife99]

GOOD info here! I'm getting ready to do this myself. This one post was worth the price of my year ($25) subscription.

[msgross]

BTW I paid $225 for a new window with my new trim.. $318 with all new from safelite installed...

they would have tried my old window for $125 but they would not be responsible if it broke..

[LaraWilde]

I had my Chev painted recently and they busted the windscreen.
I warned them that windscreens weren't easy to get in Australia.
Anywhos they finally found one after a short 3 months and they couldn't get the new rubbers in so they used the old ones.
Whilst driving through a cyclone I found that it leaked a bit and since then the leak has gotten worse. I now have a water feature on the inside.
I took it to a body shop and they tried to seal the rubbers but it still leaks badly - my dog has to wear a rain coat in the front to keep dry.
Do I need to start from scratch or is there a way to patch it up?

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by LaraWilde

I had my Chev painted recently and they busted the windscreen.
I warned them that windscreens weren't easy to get in Australia.
Anywhos they finally found one after a short 3 months and they couldn't get the new rubbers in so they used the old ones.
Whilst driving through a cyclone I found that it leaked a bit and since then the leak has gotten worse. I now have a water feature on the inside.
I took it to a body shop and they tried to seal the rubbers but it still leaks badly - my dog has to wear a rain coat in the front to keep dry.
Do I need to start from scratch or is there a way to patch it up?

I'd order a new seal. Might try one of the board vendors.

[truckintexas]

No, that's not right.

1967 thru 1970 cabs have the deep groove trim that fits inthe rubber and under the glass. 71 and 72 have the shallow trim.

Also, this will not be a snap for an experienced glazier. This is a challenge. It's just not something they see very often).

I think your problem is a Phat Tony stated, short trim (71-72) in the deep groove seal (67-70).

[69 COPO]

truckintexas you are exactly right. I took the trim off of a 1970 I had and it was the deep grooved trim. The trim on my 71 was the shallow groove trim. The shallow trim does not stay in the groove as nice as the deep grooved trim on the 69-70's. Has anyone ordered the 69-70 windshield trim from LMC? Is it the deep grooved and how does it fit?
Thanks

[dkooi]

Go trough GMC Pauls for the rubber. He offers both kinds of rubber for whatever size trim that you have. I got bot the front and rear window rubber mine through him and had no complaints from my installer, front window trim was OG and rear was aftermarket.

For finding a good istaller, I would call a few custom paint and body shops in your area and tell them your looking for an experienced winsheild installer. They know all the 'old hot rod guys' who have experience installing windsheilds with mouldings.