Vent glass rubber

[FESTER60]

Well I am getting to the point of re-installing the glass in my car. I have read a bunch of posts about the glass channel and fuzzies, and I think I got that part pretty much understood. The question of the day is who do you guys recommend as a vendor for the vent glass rubber? I see Roberts has some as well as Andy Bernbaum. How is the quality of those? Or do I bite the bullet and get them from Steele? I am all about saving money, but if the quality isn't there it will just turn out to be one big cluster. Thanks!

[casper50]

I just installed the ones that I got from Andy.  Fit okay.  I haven't installed the vent and garnish trim on the door as of yet.

 

[Tom Skinner]

Steele Rubber, Denver, North Carolina. They are however, proud of their Rubber Moldings.

But they all fit like a glove. I did all my Rubber Moldings there, Front and Rear Vent Rubbers,

also front and Rear Windshields, Tail Light Housings, Brake Light Housing, etc.

Tom

[Andydodge]

I have used the 1/4 window rubber from Andy Bernbaums on my 41 Plymouth and it fit very well, however the cowl vent rubber from Steele was the wrong profile although the correct outline however they treated me as a leper, refused to consider that they had made a mistake and I would not recommend Steele to anyone..........me?.......Andy Bernbaums.

[rb1949]

Do a search, you'll hear about all of them.

[Tom Skinner]

Andy Bernbaum is also very fair. They have sold me quality parts for years. I guess because I live close to Steele Rubber (30 minutes) away I received great service from them? I cannot speak for Andy Dodge, we all experience business dealings differently. One thing I did notice about Steele Rubber was when they sold me Front and Rear Windshield rubber they never mentioned I needed sealer or cleaner, so I had to drive back over there and buy some. I was under the impression that a good sales person would have pointed that out to me the first time, or at least asked me if I needed sealer or cleaner with my order. So yes, in a way the Counter Person seemed a little like they just wanted to ring me up and be done with the transaction, instead of asking me about what I actually was trying to accomplish. Other than that I had no problem. Incidently my Cowl Vent Rubber Didn't fit either, and I had to just buy a long piece not a form fitted piece but just a long straight piece to fit on myself. So I will admit they probably had a bad batch of Vent Rubbers for a time??? Andy B. is also (I have seen here) very good with Rubber Trims.

Tom

[Andydodge]

And just to kick Steele Rubber when they are down.........lol...........I rang thru the order, gave all the correct info, got the wrong or ill fitting part and rang them twice about it............oh?......did I tell you I  am in Australia? and the parts with postage cost 2-3 times what they are in the USA in Oz dollar terms..............lol............Steele Rubber?.......never forgive and never forget.........lol............Andy Douglas

[austinsailor]

By vent glass, I assume you are talking about the triangular glass in the front of the door.

Here's another option. First, I think the glass shop uses some heat process to cure what they use, similar to the metal on the bottom of the door glass.

But, regardless, 15 years ago I installed mine by taping everything off, using black RTV, silicon type stuff, setting it in that. Wiped the silicon down, remove the tape, give it about 2 days to cure.

It still looks professional 15+ years later.

[FESTER60]

On March 4, 2017 at 11:31 AM, austinsailor said:

By vent glass, I assume you are talking about the triangular glass in the front of the door.

Here's another option. First, I think the glass shop uses some heat process to cure what they use, similar to the metal on the bottom of the door glass.

But, regardless, 15 years ago I installed mine by taping everything off, using black RTV, silicon type stuff, setting it in that. Wiped the silicon down, remove the tape, give it about 2 days to cure.

It still looks professional 15+ years later.

Interesting. I never thought of that. It's worth a try. Not out much if it doesn't work out.

[FESTER60]

O.K. A lot of good info here. I noticed no one mentioned Roberts. Anyway, I will also need to reset some of the glass into the frames. I was considering using black RTV for that, but I am open to better suggestions. 

[austinsailor]

Following on, I tried the RTV on the regular windows as well. I let the first one cure overnight, it pulled out uncured the next day. Later, I did it again. 2 days later it pulled out, still not cured enough. 

 

So, if you try it on a regular  window channel on the bottom of a door glass, plan on an extended cure time. It goes maybe 3/4" deep from the air so cures very slowly.

[Niel Hoback]

  A fellow I knew that worked in a glass shop showed me how too set glass in a channel using electrical friction tape.

  Just put it on top of the groove and push the glass into the channel. He actually used a wood block and a hammer to finish it.

[classiccarjack]

Glass shops use some really industrial stuff to set the glass.  It is always worth it to give one a call and ask what works best.

[DrDoctor]

   I used friction electrical tape on the vent windows of a mid-60’s Pontiac, not because anyone recommended it, but because it was what I had on hand. And, it worked great – they never fell out in over 40 years of ownership.

   As for Steele Rubber Company, I’ll only agree with the “abbreviated sales assistance” comments, and I’ll also mention that they’re proud of their stuff, based upon the prices they want. I’ve had great luck with Wichita Trimming (Wichita, Kansas), and Sof-Seal (which specialized in GM products, and generic pieces, too). Great prices, service, and support. And, while I have no first-hand experience with Bernbaum, I’ve never heard anyone make a complaint. I have no first-hand experience with Robert’s, either, and I’ve never heard anyone make any comments about them. Thx.

[casper50]

okay.  Have to retract my recomendation of Andy's for vent rubber.   Until I tried to install the garnish molding in the door they looked okay.  But, they seem to be short at each end both top and bottom and the bottom isn't wide enough.  Going to contact them and see what they say but there was a card in the bag with them that said allowances had to be made because these are so complicated.