Windshield Molding cracked!!

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:09 pm

Hi all,

The Fabulous Ford car show yesterday here in California was an incredible show with tons of cars (only 1 McLaren though!). On my way to the show I had the top down and was cruising down the hwy when all of a sudden it sounded like I popped my tire. I pulled over immediately and realized it was my windshield molding that had cracked completely in 2 pieces and was flapping in the wind. I had to put the top back up just to hold the molding in place. I looked on Hank's site for a replacement piece and I really don't feel like shelling out over $300 for it. Have any of you guys tried repairing this piece? I normally do all of the work on all of my cars but I'm unsure if this piece is salvageable. What I don't want to do is repair it to only have it rip again.

Thanks guys,

Chris

svo413 · Post by **svo413** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:57 pm

There were 2 of us at the show. Mike (03Mach1) had his white car and I had my red Capri (in the Mercury section). Some have posted having repaired their trim. The trim should not come off or come loose. They will crack in place.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:07 pm

Mike's car was the McLaren I noticed (great condition!). Sorry I missed your car yesterday as I don't believe I made it over to the Mercury section. That show was 10x larger than I expected and I ran out of time and energy.

The trim did crack in place, so to speak, but the wind was getting underneath it and trying to rip it from the car after the tear. It tore all of the way through on the top 2 corners. Thanks for the info and I will do another search here to look into the repairs. Appreciate your help.

03Mach1 · Post by **03Mach1** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:11 pm

Chris, did I talk to you?

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:38 pm

I looked for you (Mike) but didn't see anyone by the car at the time I was there. I noticed your windshield trim looked perfect! ha

03Mach1 · Post by **03Mach1** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:49 pm

We were probably getting food. Which by the way sucked and was way over priced. Talked with SVO413 for a little while and shared some info on the cars. Always nice to talk with a fellow ASC owner.

I'll post some pics as soon as I can. Sorry to hear about your trim. Did you get registered for the show or were you just coming up to look at the cars?

SVOJames · Post by **SVOJames** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:06 am

I chatted with someone at Knotts with a red Capri, I'm thinking it was svo413, but I was thinking of a different screen name.

James

shelbyscarab · Post by **shelbyscarab** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:05 pm

Chris wrote:Hi all,

The Fabulous Ford car show yesterday here in California was an incredible show with tons of cars (only 1 McLaren though!). On my way to the show I had the top down and was cruising down the hwy when all of a sudden it sounded like I popped my tire. I pulled over immediately and realized it was my windshield molding that had cracked completely in 2 pieces and was flapping in the wind. I had to put the top back up just to hold the molding in place. I looked on Hank's site for a replacement piece and I really don't feel like shelling out over $300 for it. Have any of you guys tried repairing this piece? I normally do all of the work on all of my cars but I'm unsure if this piece is salvageable. What I don't want to do is repair it to only have it rip again.

Thanks guys,

Chris

Welcome to our world Chris.

This happened to me back in '98 or '99 while I was on my way back from Columbus on a divided highway going between 65-70 with the top down. It was the most God-awful sound I've heard. It ripped back at both corners. When I stopped to look at it, I almost vomited as I've always babied this car. I took it to a body shop in my hometown who fixed it. They had a hell of a time with it. They said don't ever try or if you need to take it off, its coming off in many pieces. They sealed it down, and then I sealed it down. Its been 9-10 years now and there are very small hairline cracks forming. Its a bad design, but oh well. I just watch it close.

Good luck!

Chris

svo413 · Post by **svo413** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:26 pm

Hi James, I go by KevinK over on the SVO web board. I don't know why I used SVO over here except it is my AOL email address. It was good to talk top you at the show. There are a couple who visit both boards. I believe Kendal visits here as well.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:51 pm

I never did get registered for the show. Honestly, I wasn't sure if my car was up to "show" condition. Don't get my wrong as my 88' is in incredible condition but I would like to get a few parts replaced prior to ever entering it at a car show.

I think I'm going to sack up and order the replacement part from Hank. After my buddy and I looked at the molding last night we realized just how brittle it has become and neither of us think it is worth trying to fix. Along with the tears I have small cracks forming now. Maybe going 85mph up to Knotts Berry wasn't the best call on Sunday with a brittle windshield molding.

03Mach1 · Post by **03Mach1** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:10 pm

I understand about "show ready" I feel that way about mine at times. This is why I am hesitant on the MCA shows. However, won't know till I try it so...

I had to replace my windshield and the trim piece was very hard to get off. Just had to pry at it gently till it broke loose, but when I hear about them coming off while driving it makes me nervous. So when I reapplied it, I used a butt load of butyl tape. She's on there good now. Having said that, I'll have to replace the windshield again.

I was able to post a pic of my Vert in my album, but was unable to download the rest of them. Corrupted.... Does anyone else have or want to post some pics of the FFF show?

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:23 pm

Hey guys,

I linked a picture to the tear in my windshield molding. Take note that 20 minutes prior to this happening it was flawless and in one piece. I am going to try to fix this on my own and I'll let you know how it turned out down the road. Enjoy!

http://i29.tinypic.com/2w3n6gi.jpg>

bryan · Post by **bryan** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:23 pm

Chris,

I feel your pain. Sorry. I had the exact same thing happen to me. I had to use packaging tape bought at a rural grocery store to hold it down for my 100+ mile ride home. Mine didn't rip as badly in the corners as yours did.

It seems like most people with these cars are bound to have issues with this at some point if they ever drive them.

AlanG · Post by **AlanG** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:22 am

If anyone buys a new one, I would like to buy your cracked one. The A-pillar sections of mine were missing when I bought the car. I have an idea for easy shipping, Please PM me if you have one I could buy.

88 5speed · Post by **88 5speed** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:11 pm

Drove my 88 900 miles last weekend to the show at the Roush shop in Concord N.C. only McLaren there. I put blue painters tape around the windshild molding to keep air from getting under the molding.Worked good 900 miles 75MPH no cracks .

ascMcLaren Enthusiasts

Windshield Molding cracked!!

Windshield Molding cracked!!

Knotts

Re: Windshield Molding cracked!!

Red Capri