Re: [Chrysler300] New member, new project

["Daniel Richardson" <therichardsonfamily@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ryan, Lee, and others:

Thanks for the pointers.  My cousin also advised the same - that the pattern 
on the 300L vinyl top is VERY difficult, if not impossible, to find.  It was 
white, and well beyond saving, so I think I'll just try to get a close 
match.  My plans are to drive the car, not show it for judging.

Your advice to try to keep the original front glass?  for "correctness"? 
any other reason?  I was thinking that new glass would be a better choice - 
40 years and 100K probably hasn't helped the windshield much - although it 
looks to be in good shape - unless there are drawbacks to that strategy. 
Rear glass is hard to find?  Perhaps I'll sacrifice the rear seal to be sure 
and save the rear glass - the prudent way to go?

The glass installer I talked with felt that the rear should come out without 
breaking - any concerns on that?  He also advised that, as careful as they 
could be, sometimes the front glass does break - that's why I wanted to have 
a backup plan.

My rubber seal questions stem from comments I've heard about difficulty in 
obtaining a proper fit with aftermarket rubber seals - "one size fits all" 
type of products, etc.  Steele and Laysons being choices for rubber seals - 
I'll check with both, but still try to save the seals and clean them.

My treatment of the roof & channels - clean out as much rust as I can and 
then cover with POR-15?  Would that be the best way to handle it?  I really 
can't do a sandblast to bare metal type of job, but I'd like to prevent 
future, common, vinyl top rust issues.

Lastly, (for now), advise on a solvent and method to get the glue off the 
roof?  I want to have everything cleaned up and coated when I take it to the 
vinyl top installer.

Thanks so much for the help - I'll have plenty more questions,

Dan Richardson
family heirloom 300L



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ryan Hill" <ryan_hillc300@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <therichardsonfamily@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 3:20 AM
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] New member, new project


> Dan, the windsheild is available in aftermarket although it is of course 
> beneficial to retain the original if possible. The rubber gaskets can be 
> cleaned and softened in most cases and re-used vs. buying a reproduction 
> that may or may not fit right. (Steele Rubber Products have a very good 
> product)
>
> I cleaned mine, as others in the club had suggested, with Go-Jo hand 
> cleaner. You need to basically soak the rubber in it for days and then rub 
> off the grime and guck, leaving a nice soft gasket. It does work.
>
> If you don't want to risk breaking the front or rear glass, cut the gasket 
> by sliding a sharp knife under the lip against the glass. If you cut right 
> through all the way around, you can basically just lift the glass out of 
> the car without any real pushing or prying. I recommend buying the 
> replacements first and have them in your possession before sacraficing the 
> old gaskets.
>
> As for the vinyl roof, I've searched and searched and have yet to find a 
> correct replacement vinyl for the '65 300. That grain was only used for 
> the 1 year on Chrysler and some Dodges. Unless you are prepared to install 
> a grain that is at best similar to the original, you may want to try and 
> save the original if it's not too bad or just do what I did and leave the 
> vinyl off.
>
> Maybe one day I'll find the correct pattern, then I'll pull the glass and 
> install it.
>
> Hope this helps. Ryan Hill
>
> 




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