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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Refinish quarter window rubber

  • Thread starter Thread starter mustang 88
  • Start date Start date Feb 5, 2013
M

mustang 88

Member
Oct 21, 2012
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cleveland ga
Feb 5, 2013
#1
  • Feb 5, 2013
  • #1
Is there a kit to refinish the seals on these windows or do I have to buy new windows?
 

91TwighlightGT

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 8, 2002
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Feb 5, 2013
#2
  • Feb 5, 2013
  • #2
There isn't a kit to refinish, but there are a lot of threads on here and corral about how to refinish them. Basically, tape off the glass and build up the molding surface with high build primer (you can find this at a local auto parts store) and then sand them until they are smooth. Repeat as many times as necessary. Be careful to keep the "character" line that runs along the molding. Once they are smooth, paint them black. Most people go with SEM Trim black, but there are other options as well. It can be done on the car, but you have to be very careful with your sanding and you have to tape the thing off pretty well to keep overspray from getting on the car. If you CAN remove them, that is the best option.
 

gearheadboy

15 Year Member
Jan 15, 2003
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177
84
Greencastle Pa
Feb 5, 2013
#3
  • Feb 5, 2013
  • #3
mustang 88 said:
Is there a kit to refinish the seals on these windows or do I have to buy new windows?
Click to expand...
There are covers that can be installed over the mouldings. Glued in place. Only a few really patient people have ever got them to work well and look good. You can also refinish yours with fillers, primers, and paint, however it is not as flexible as the rubber was intended. Purchasing windows would be the best option but most costly. An aftermarket window is available made by Scott Drake which is the cheapest but has no Mustang logo in it. The factory style Carlite windows are also available but the cost is about $550.00 per pair. Another option would also be good used ones but good luck finding them, maybe on ebay.
 
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Incon

Member
Jun 14, 2010
88
1
9
Feb 5, 2013
#4
  • Feb 5, 2013
  • #4
gearheadboy said:
There are covers that can be installed over the mouldings. Glued in place. Only a few really patient people have ever got them to work well and look good. You can also refinish yours with fillers, primers, and paint, however it is not as flexible as the rubber was intended. Purchasing windows would be the best option but most costly. An aftermarket window is available made by Scott Drake which is the cheapest but has no Mustang logo in it. The factory style Carlite windows are also available but the cost is about $550.00 per pair. Another option would also be good used ones but good luck finding them, maybe on ebay.
Click to expand...

Are the Carlite coupe windows back?
 

gearheadboy

15 Year Member
Jan 15, 2003
1,425
177
84
Greencastle Pa
Feb 5, 2013
#5
  • Feb 5, 2013
  • #5
Incon said:
Are the Carlite coupe windows back?
Click to expand...
Not that I've seen yet. Last I heard it wasn't gonna happen anytime soon.
 

ReefBlueHatch

Active Member
Jan 12, 2010
682
96
39
Central KY
Feb 6, 2013
#6
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #6
I refinished a set last year and there not holing up very well. The trim paint is lifting in places and cracking through and showing primer. Not happy after all the work I put into them and then installing.

I gave up and ordered a Carlite driver's side window from the Ford dealer last week - should be here any day. Hopefully I'll save some money and order the passenger side next month. And BTW, the price for the set is quite a bit cheaper than LRS.
 
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Mr. Snrub

Active Member
Jan 24, 2012
153
50
39
uh... someplace far away. (Yes, that'll do.)
Feb 6, 2013
#7
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #7
I had the LRS kit on my old car : http://www.latemodelrestoration.com...stang-Hatchback-Quarter-Window-Molding-Covers

They worked great!



 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard
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Feb 6, 2013
#8
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #8
i also have those covers. if applied well, they blend right in
 

89stang1

Stroked and Juiced
10 Year Member
Nov 5, 2008
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Feb 6, 2013
#9
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #9
my covers are 7 years old besides a couple cracks they look great and fit perfect i bought some Mothers back to black last summer now they look new ever since
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
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In the garage
Feb 6, 2013
#10
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #10
I would recommend that unless you know what you are doing, have a body or auto glass shop install those covers. They look great when applied correctly.
 

91TwighlightGT

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 8, 2002
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Feb 6, 2013
#11
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #11
Whoa, I've never seen so much love for those covers in one spot.

IMO, they look and fit like complete . They bulge out at the top, and looked tacked on. I bought some way back when after seeing the magazines all singing their praises, and they were so disappointing that I eventually just through them in the trash.

Restoring the quarter windows isn't hard. You don't need to work at a body shop to be able to do it yourself with very good results. Save yourself the money on ugly covers and do it right.
 

89stang1

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Feb 6, 2013
#12
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #12
91TwighlightGT said:
Whoa, I've never seen so much love for those covers in one spot.

IMO, they look and fit like complete ****. They bulge out at the top, and looked tacked on. I bought some way back when after seeing the magazines all singing their praises, and they were so disappointing that I eventually just through them in the trash.

Restoring the quarter windows isn't hard. You don't need to work at a body shop to be able to do it yourself with very good results. Save yourself the money on ugly covers and do it right.
Click to expand...


maybe it was the installer mine dont bulge at the top and definitely dont look like they are tacked on, i didnt install mine they were on my car when i bought it i was very impressed how good mine look and still happy with them
 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
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a van down by the river
Feb 6, 2013
#13
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #13
mine look fine to me!





Note the color difference here is due to camera flash, they look the same in person

 

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89stang1

Stroked and Juiced
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#14
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #14
madspeed said:
mine look fine to me!





Note the color difference here is due to camera flash, they look the same in person

Click to expand...



looks great!! mine fit great too the only thing that looks a little off is how much they shine when new but after some time they will match perfect mine do
 

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madspeed

Colonel Mustard
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Feb 6, 2013
#15
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #15
the shine doesnt appear like that in person
 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard
Founding Member
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a van down by the river
Feb 6, 2013
#16
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #16
NPD has the Carlite windows advertised in MMFF
 

89stang1

Stroked and Juiced
10 Year Member
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Feb 6, 2013
#17
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #17
madspeed said:
the shine doesnt appear like that in person
Click to expand...


the rubber on mine were real shiny when i first bought my car the original owner had just put them on after a year or so i noticed how much they blended in better
 

91TwighlightGT

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 8, 2002
1,190
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Feb 6, 2013
#18
  • Feb 6, 2013
  • #18
madspeed said:
Click to expand...

It is bulging where it meets the drip rail trim. It doesn't fit tightly against the glass. I mean no offense, I am glad you like them, but IMO restored window moldings look better than those covers.
 

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