MARIAH
12-17-2011, 11:37 AM
After 7 years with Whitby’s Hard Top, I decided to add Quarter Windows to improve visibility.
I want to first offer thanks to Tony Chiles for sharing his process for installing his unique windows. While I did not use his approach to limit all the fiberglassing, Tony did provide the incentive and as we all know, you need an abundance of that if you own a Factory Five as the mods never stop.
Ultimately I decided to go with the same installation as the rear window in Whitby’s Hard Top, so I obtained these items from McMaster-Carr.
13275T22 Glass Locking Edge Grip Seal, 3/32"-9/64" Edge Thickness, 57/64", 10
feet, $1.33/ft
28574K27 Polycarbonate Sheet, 3/16" Thick, 12" X 12", Clear 2 each, $10.62
Since I was starting from scratch, the template size, shape and location were the first and hardest decisions because there was no turning back once the Permanent Marker traced their locations.
All the cutting and grinding were done with the 4” grinder and a HF Multi-tool sander attachment. SLOW and CAREFUL. Once the holes were cut, I went back to my template and trimmed it by ¼” all around and used that to cut the window material. I used a jig saw for the early cuts and ground out “taking the line” as I wanted them a little undersized.
The window seals were their usual challenges using only the hooked tool I use on drum brake springs and some liquid soap. Not to be outdone by the perfect installation on the Driver Side, I measured and cut the Passenger side rubber twice trimming it to size and it was still too short which I fixed with a small insert. Perhaps I’ll order some more and redo that side, perhaps not.
The photos will give some idea of the processes and then you can see what the Passenger Side looks like from inside. I think we will be pleased. I have some Flowable Silicone Windshield Sealer that I will apply next week under the weather-stripping as a simple leak precaution.
682168226823682468256826
I want to first offer thanks to Tony Chiles for sharing his process for installing his unique windows. While I did not use his approach to limit all the fiberglassing, Tony did provide the incentive and as we all know, you need an abundance of that if you own a Factory Five as the mods never stop.
Ultimately I decided to go with the same installation as the rear window in Whitby’s Hard Top, so I obtained these items from McMaster-Carr.
13275T22 Glass Locking Edge Grip Seal, 3/32"-9/64" Edge Thickness, 57/64", 10
feet, $1.33/ft
28574K27 Polycarbonate Sheet, 3/16" Thick, 12" X 12", Clear 2 each, $10.62
Since I was starting from scratch, the template size, shape and location were the first and hardest decisions because there was no turning back once the Permanent Marker traced their locations.
All the cutting and grinding were done with the 4” grinder and a HF Multi-tool sander attachment. SLOW and CAREFUL. Once the holes were cut, I went back to my template and trimmed it by ¼” all around and used that to cut the window material. I used a jig saw for the early cuts and ground out “taking the line” as I wanted them a little undersized.
The window seals were their usual challenges using only the hooked tool I use on drum brake springs and some liquid soap. Not to be outdone by the perfect installation on the Driver Side, I measured and cut the Passenger side rubber twice trimming it to size and it was still too short which I fixed with a small insert. Perhaps I’ll order some more and redo that side, perhaps not.
The photos will give some idea of the processes and then you can see what the Passenger Side looks like from inside. I think we will be pleased. I have some Flowable Silicone Windshield Sealer that I will apply next week under the weather-stripping as a simple leak precaution.
682168226823682468256826