VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 window sweeps I think they are called...

I'm taking my inner window frames apart and cleaning the SS trim and going to buy from cot40's what they call "flexible sweepers" on page 239. The originals were stapled on through the metal and I know I won't be able to put them back on that way. I'm thinking of using small rivets, what has people here used?

When I did my 47 a friend that has a body shop recommended using panel bond adhesive, worked very well.

I'm not familiar with panel bond adhesive. We hear about Gorilla Glue all the time I wonder about it or maybe a construction adhesive.

The panel bond is what body shops use to bond quarter panels on instead of welding them on. It’s a two part epoxy.

Restoration Specialities in Pennsylvania sells the staples as well as the flexible sweepers in long lengths. Remove the old staples and cut new sweepers to the proper length using the old ones as patterns. Drill new holes through the new sweepers using the existing holes in the window frame to locate. The new staples can be pushed through by hand and bent with needle nose pliers to replicate the factory installation. Mike

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into both options. I have the old sweeps removed and am thinking it might be pretty hard to use the original staple holes. Might be easier to drill new holes if I go the staple route. With the panel bond, I guess you would have to have the mounting surface down to bare metal, correct? I am not too concerned in having an all original 100 point car as I couldn't afford to do that anyway. So thanks again for the help, I'll come back and tell or show what I wind up doing. Mike

I’ll just add that I use the same holes but drill them slightly oversize so it’s easy to push the staple through. Once the staple is in place, I use a pair of slip joint pliers to sandwich the sweep between the staple and the garnish molding while using the needle nose pliers to form the curves on the staple legs. Hope all works out for you. Mike

I did the same as Mike except I made my own staples with some wire I already had. Really, wasn't hard.

I did the same as Russell - Made my own with wire.

Dick

Ok, so how did you get the staples through the sweep in the correct place to use the original staple holes? Just by measuring?
I have also taken the chrome or SS strips off of the window moldings and polished them and am painting the moldings with Rust-oleum dark bronze hammered finish and I have already painted the dash and steering column the same. I must say I like it.

I think once I got the sweep lined up with one hole and a temporary piece of wire, I was able to eyeball the rest. I suppose one could make a pattern out of a strip of paper or masking tape or even from the old sweeps.

Ordering the sweep material today. I actually got almost all the staples out in good shape and I can probably reuse them.