Window Sweepers

[Bingster]

In removing the door garnish mouldings on my '47 Desoto for painting, I noticed the window sweepers stapled to the frames.  I thought they were just some sort of insulation or something, they are so worn.  I guess I have to somehow remove those staples and then how to fasten them back on.  I see a place on-line for sweeper material - rather pricey - but does anybody know a source for smaller quantities?  And is this material universal for all Mopars of the '46, '47 and '48 years?

[Plymouthy Adams]

these sweeper or fuzzies if you will are not available for direct fit...the stapes are main reason and the originals with the clips installed are not able to be retro fitted...gluing is one option many use but you will have rip it back out for glass work later....read paint peeling etc.....I have found the best option is using Ford era clips, drill your garnish and pop into position..can be removed later for other maintenance..

[Bingster]

Thanks. Ford era clips . . . source and type?

[bobostski]

If you do need to replace the staples here and on other places in the car, heater box,molding to seal hood to radiator, ect. I've found using a paper clips for wire works great. I't s the same gauge and chrome plated to boot.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Bingster...please keep in mind that my suggestion will require a tad of modification to your original parts..to me they enhance the vehicle as the wipers are clean neat install and allow for ease of removal.   IF this is acceptable..then look to Restoration Specialties as they stock the clips..as for the fuzzy..no matter who is selling these things..they are only being made by one company...PM if you need further clarification

 

the use of stainless safety wire and trying to keep with the factory style setup was not quite up to par for the level of work I try to achieve on my cars....the wire is just not rigid enough for the span like the original staples I have found...the clip method I have found suits me better...but each have their own methods of getting end results...I tried about 4 methods before settling on the setup I use on my old Mopars today.

Edited June 6, 2015 by Plymouthy Adams

[Uncle-Pekka]

When I replaced the sweepers, I used tiny brass rivets. Riveted the sweepers one by one hole using small ball end hammer against narrow anvil.

I have to say, it was slow and tedious job to do... 

 

Made me wonder, would there be power staplers strong enough to shoot throught the sweeper and moulding sheet metal?

Would be great to shoot original style steel staples even if you need to hammer each end to lock the thing.

[Bingster]

I don't know, but it seems to me that even at the factory they must have pre-drilled the staples holes at least.  It would take quite a wallop to push through that steel, if anybody has ever tried to straighten out the weatherstrip channel with pliers or a c-clamp.

[Seaside Pete]

Ive just ordered these of Ebay $89.95. They come with small screws. I liked these because they have the stainless trim at the top like OE.

 

 

 

[Bingster]

What cars are they supposed to fit?

[Uncle-Pekka]

I don't know, but it seems to me that even at the factory they must have pre-drilled the staples holes at least.  It would take quite a wallop to push through that steel, if anybody has ever tried to straighten out the weatherstrip channel with pliers or a c-clamp.

 

Nope, I do not think they were pre-drilled. The sweepers are not attached to weatherstrip channel, but on the window inside moulding, the wood grained part. If you look at the moulding lip you notice two things:

- the staples are in random places, no two parts are exactly the same

- the holes are slightly strechted out, just like the sheet metal does when you punch thought it

I may post a photo later on if I'll find the time and remember to shoot a photo when I find my spare parts...

 

And yes, it will be possible to shoot throught providing the staple is well supported by the tool and the hit speed is high enough.

An industrial stapler will do it.

[desoto1939]

When I installed the new ones on my 39 Desoto I got my sweeper material from restoration supply in Windber PA. Then I use a small flat head shhet metal screw to attaché them the screw will be not seen since it goes intot he fussy material.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Bingster]

Rich, the screw must be countersunk so as not to stick out beyond the sweep material?

[Andydodge]

I replaced those sweepers with a generic sweeper that I bought in 6' lengths, same width, etc, trimmed the ends so they'd fit under the window bailey channel then pop riveted the sweeper to the door edge........the sweeper on the window garnish molding was also trimmed at either end then pop riveted to the garnish molding, then just used some flat black paint to paint the rivet heads.......I used 1/8th rivets, once attached the head was below the top of the fuzzy material anyway and once painted was very hard to see.......looked o/k...................andyd  

Edited June 6, 2015 by Andydodge

[desoto1939]

Rich, the screw must be countersunk so as not to stick out beyond the sweep material?

I di not have to countersink ,ine then flat pan head is so small it get hidden withinthe fuzzies.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Edited June 7, 2015 by desoto1939

[atlbluz]

I just did the sweepers on my P-6 and used the material from Restoration Supplies. Also bought the staples they sell. it was very tedious to drill the sweeps and align with the old holes. I also changed the sweep on the chrome wing vent seals. On those I used aluminum pop rivets. Made a much easier job and the seals are firmly held in place. Heads stay below the contact area of the windows. After the fact I wish I had used pop rivets on the sweepers.

[deathbound]

I just did the sweepers on my P-6 and used the material from Restoration Supplies. Also bought the staples they sell. it was very tedious to drill the sweeps and align with the old holes. I also changed the sweep on the chrome wing vent seals. On those I used aluminum pop rivets. Made a much easier job and the seals are firmly held in place. Heads stay below the contact area of the windows. After the fact I wish I had used pop rivets on the sweepers.

Any pics? I have the same car and mine is either deteriorated or non-existant. One more thing on the to-do list.

[Bingster]

Yes, and the type of pop rivet gun and rivets.

[BlueSkye48]

I just used Staples from a hand staple gun, they were the same width as the original staples, and easy enough to bend once through the holes, while not pulling out easily.

were a slightly different gauge but are working fine for the last 3 months or so.

[Tatback]

I just replace the sweepers on one of the four doors last night. I ended up running to the store and buying box of a hundred stainless steel 4 x 5/8 metal screws. clamped the sweeper in place, drilled a hole, and put the flat head screw in. Took all of 10 mins for the door. They bury into the fuzzy so no worry about touching the glass. I did have to use a dremel and cut off the back side on the door garnish so it would go back on. 

 

Tip: to do the sweeper on the outside side, Instead of taking out the glass, I took out the window stop and lowered the glass to the very bottom of the track and was able to do everything with the glass still in the door. 

[Redmond49]

On 6/6/2015 at 8:53 AM, Plymouthy Adams said:

these sweeper or fuzzies if you will are not available for direct fit...the stapes are main reason and the originals with the clips installed are not able to be retro fitted...gluing is one option many use but you will have rip it back out for glass work later....read paint peeling etc.....I have found the best option is using Ford era clips, drill your garnish and pop into position..can be removed later for other maintenance..

@Plymouthy Adams Were these the clips you used?