Paint and Body Fox hatch quarter window molding fix?

[91GTstroked]

So, this bugs me. I don't drive the car in the rain. And if I wash the car with water I'm very careful. But I can still see water getting in and causing damage.

This is a low mileage reef hatch hatch with 27,700 original miles. It's far from perfect, but a great example of clean near original Fox. Both side moldings look perfect, other than the driver's side pulling apart on the top. The moldings are pretty hard and not really flexible.

I'm guessing my only option is to replace the window with a nos unit and pay big money. Or just replace the moldings which won't be original...

Thoughts?

 

[rwordenjr]

3M 08061 and glue it down. I have not seen one do that before but that should work...

 

[91GTstroked]

3M 08061 and glue it down. I have not seen one do that before but that should work...

Thanks I'll look into that. Maybe I should heat it up a little so it's flexible? I have to apply a lot of pressure with my fingers just to get it to touch the body.

 

[rwordenjr]

Thanks I'll look into that. Maybe I should heat it up a little so it's flexible? I have to apply a lot of pressure with my fingers just to get it to touch the body.

First clean with degreaser on a Q tip... Then apply some of the trim adhesive inside that gap and then you'll need to find out a way to keep it pressed firm for few hours while it dries.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I've never seen trim do that before? Both sides?

 

[91GTstroked]

I've never seen trim do that before? Both sides?

Nope just driver's side. Sucks because they are otherwise in perfect condition.

 

[rwordenjr]

Nope just driver's side. Sucks because they are otherwise in perfect condition.

yea i would not remove those to fix that little issue you got. heat up and glue down. will be fine

 

[rednotch]

For a car like that nos or the re-rubber service fox resto sold to another company, pretty sure they are or did finish hatch glass molds, I just can't think of the name and there a bit pricey, searching the fox Facebook groups should find them.. Only time I've seen the molding do that is attacked by a chemical, when my coupe was vandalized years ago, brake fluid did exactly that to molding, etched into and swelled parts of it, did the same to the taillights and rear bumper cover. I managed to save them by clamping them to a hard flat surface and baking them under a heat lamp, then refinishing them with ever coat glaze, high build and some crest trim coat. Used them on another driver quality car but not something I'd put on a car like that where your trying to keep it original. Water and some trash is going to get behind that molding no matter what though, its why the frame is sealed with butyl to the inner structure where's its bolted on.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I feel like with 28K miles, you either need to repair this, or replace with a NOS unit. Your car is the type of car that the NOS ones should be going on. But sucks that you only need one.

I'd be tempted to pull the window off and see if it can be straightened off the car, but that also means pulling the interior partially apart and I dislike the idea of doing that on a low mileage car as well.

 

[91GTstroked]

I feel like with 28K miles, you either need to repair this, or replace with a NOS unit. Your car is the type of car that the NOS ones should be going on. But sucks that you only need one.

I'd be tempted to pull the window off and see if it can be straightened off the car, but that also means pulling the interior partially apart and I dislike the idea of doing that on a low mileage car as well.

Yeah I agree, that's kinda where I'm stuck. I'd almost rather replace both just so I know the match. I found two nos left side ones on eBay. One is 969.00 and he other is 1500 with a make offer...

I've swapped out red interior for black over 20 years ago on my old car. But I really don't want to mess with this interior, it's a 10/10 condition wise.

Luckily the car is never out in bad elements. I've only put 200-300 miles on it in the 3 years we've had it.

I really want a Oxford white GT in similar condition. Call me crazy, but I'd trade my reef for a clean one.

 

[limp]

What about using the " wash your car" stuff that requires no water.... Alot of people swear by it..

 

[91GTstroked]

What about using the " wash your car" stuff that requires no water.... Alot of people swear by it..

I pretty much do that already. My "toy" cars never really get that dirty.

 

[rednotch]

I feel like with 28K miles, you either need to repair this, or replace with a NOS unit. Your car is the type of car that the NOS ones should be going on. But sucks that you only need one.

I'd be tempted to pull the window off and see if it can be straightened off the car, but that also means pulling the interior partially apart and I dislike the idea of doing that on a low mileage car as well.

Gotta pull it to replace any way... That molding looks swollen bowed out. Glue might work but bet it lays funny. Best bet find the old car lite number and call glass suppliers or search rear counter, the fleabay crowd will sit on stuff until they find some willing to way over pay.