See HERE too about re-dyeing your top easily --Doug
Dec 4, 2002 - From: Scott
Title: Hood seal/windscreen solution
Message: I had mentioned my
solution previously over the years but I have yet to hear anyone trying it. I
have stopped all leaks from the 'A' pillar by making one modification. Here it
is: the idea of using the drain holes at the 'A' pillar is ridiculous. The 'A'
pillar holes assume that they should/could/would drain the water when the water
collects there. I attacked the problem by deciding that instead of trying to
drain the water, I would PREVENT the water from ever collecting. I determined
the reason water collects is the seal on the hood does not press against the
windscreen rail effectively. This is probably due to shrinkage over the years.
Instead of modifying the hood seal, I decided to ADD a seal to the windscreen
edge. Using a standard D profile seal (found anywhere on the internet, catalogs
or scrap yards) I attached the seal strip the whole length of the windscreen
edge. I used 3M automotive seal adhesive. The first time I tried to close the
hood, I thought I made a mistake. It was really hard to close...but really
really tight. Over the course of 3 months, it became easier. 2 years later and I
still do not get any leaks or otherwise known as the "Wet Knee
Syndrome." See the pictures below to better explain the process. -Scott
Here are the other pictures for the A pillar mod:
The instructions to the mod are quite simple:
Locate
a strip of D-profile seal/gasket equal to the width across the top of the
windscreen (approximately 1 inch wide).
Use 3M
(or like) glue and attach strip to vertical edge of the windscreen
lip.
Trim
ends and glue them closed.
Let
dry per glue instructions. Use as normal but realize that the added bulk
of the seal will make closing
top
(hood) more difficult (and hence watertight).
Over
time, it will be come easier to close the top (hood).
-Scott
Dec 5, 2002 - From: Richard
Steele
Title: Re: Hood seal/windscreen solution
Message: The standard solution to water leaks at the top of the A pillars
is to apply a suitable amount of Sikaflex 221 onto the seal above the drain
holes in the windscreen header bar and as far along as you want. Apply cling
film over all of the Sikaflex and close the hood. Leave for a few hours for the
Sikaflex to dry then open the hood and remove the cling film and you should in
theory have a seal that is contoured to the shape of the hood seal. I also found
that water could also seep through the stitching holes at the very corner of the
hood where the side windows meet the windscreen header rail and the side gutter
is formed. I applied Sikaflex to the outside of the hood material at this point
and managed to make a neat job of it and have had no leaks for 8-9 years. Oh, and I forgot to add the use of copious amount of silicone
grease Dow Corning MS4 wiped onto all of the seals really helps keep the water
out.
Dec 5, 2002 - From: Rudz
Title: Hood leaks - another solution
Message: I agree with Scott & to an extent the solution offered by Richard
on the hood leaks. Rather than trying to figure out a way to aid the water to
drain itself out thru the drain holes, I have also opted to nip it in the bud by
preventing the water from getting past the seal between the header rail &
the windscreen in the first place. I noticed that due to the age it has lost its
ability to provide a good seal. What I've opted to do was to stick on a length
of adhesive-backed sponge tape (about 1/8 inch thick) throughout the entire length
of the windscreen where it meets the header rail. The sponge tape was about 1
inch wide & continuous for the entire length of the windscreen top. It has
prevented water from seeping in between the gap that would otherwise be there.
This has worked for me for the entire wet season here where it absolutely pours
almost daily for about 3 months or so. Since the sponge tape was so cheap ($2),
I opt to renew it yearly when it has lost its sponginess. It has kept me dry 9
out of 10 times when I would have otherwise gotten the "Wet Knee
Syndrome"! Hope that helps someone. cheers...rudz