windshield rust - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

grizz · 01-07-2006, 04:22 PM

I found some rust behind the windshield weather stripping on the inside of the cab along the roof. The rust seem to be only in the middle of the windshield. If I was to take the windshield out, would I be able to replace it to clean the rust. Would I have problems getting the seal back in? I've been told that this is a place that they rust out and I am afraid to that would do more damage than good. Is there anything that can be done to replace the edge if it is real bad.

70 shorty · 01-07-2006, 04:44 PM

I'm concerned about the same problem on mine, sorry I don't have an answer.

qksilver · 01-07-2006, 05:13 PM

I have had the same problems on a couple of trucks. I ended up finding different cabs. The problem comes in because the rust starts from the inside.Between the headliner panel and the roof. The cause came be a few different things, the rain gutter caulking or leaking from the windsheild gasket. You can clean out the rust as best as possible, replace just what is gone and reseal the windsheild. The rust will come back, either because you couldn't get all of it from between the metal panels and/or the orginal leak that caused it. they do make a patch panel for the inside part above the windsheilds. Do you also have rust on the firewall?
good luck............
Steve

*1969owner* · 01-07-2006, 05:52 PM

one question, why does a windshield get smokey around the edges?

krue · 01-07-2006, 06:29 PM

The smokey look is the plastic sheet between the glass getting old. Not much you can do for it but replace the windshield.
I believe they do sell a patch panel for the inside of the cab above the windshield.

Bob D · 01-07-2006, 06:32 PM

Hi Guys....new person here!

My 70 GMC has the same problem, so I got the patch panel but havent gotten to that part of the restoration yet

Bob

grizz · 01-07-2006, 06:59 PM

i have not seen any rust on the firewall yet . can you tell me were to look and why would the firewall rust out. thank you

*1969owner* · 01-07-2006, 08:20 PM

thanks krue, always wondered what that was with the windshield.

Sweet72 · 01-07-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grizz

i have not seen any rust on the firewall yet . can you tell me were to look and why would the firewall rust out. thank you

The old panel sealer becomes dry and cracks and allows moisture (electrolyte) to stand between the spot welded panels (anode & cathode) creating a path for electrical current to flow thus causing galvanic corrosion. Same theory as a battery. Eventually the metal erodes away.

Look for leaves pine needles and dirt under the vent cowl, these trucks tend to rust out in the fresh air vent area too.

sdkid · 01-09-2006, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob D

Hi Guys....new person here!

My 70 GMC has the same problem, so I got the patch panel but havent gotten to that part of the restoration yet

Bob

HELLO, Welcome to the board. Where did you get it and how much?

chevymike · 01-10-2006, 06:38 AM

I would pull the windshield and see how bad the rust realy is. My 67 had what looked like a small spot of rust when I pulled the windshield it was a lot worse than it looked (had to buy patch panel - GMC Pauls ). As far as the fresh air vents go you can open the vent and reach in there with your hand .You should be able to tell what is in there

72 longhorn BB · 01-10-2006, 10:05 AM

If the fresh air vent got clogged with debris that held moisture, would'nt that be the area that starts that typical rust you see at the base of the kick panel and the floor?

Just wunder'in

**raggedjim** · 01-10-2006, 01:15 PM

Yeap, the vent is real easy to remove, just open it and then push it up. The bottom pin will clear and you can pull it out (once you remove the handle mounting screws). Makes it easier to get your hand WAY in there...

Rg

72 Cheyenne402 · 01-10-2006, 02:28 PM

I have some rust in the firewall and around the windshield seal. I am thinking about replacing the cab. I also have trhe typical cab corners and rockers.

Bob D · 01-10-2006, 05:03 PM

I got my patch panel for $59 here:

http://www.americanclassic.com/

Bob

70rs/ss · 01-10-2006, 05:19 PM

Repair or replace really depends on where you live. The truck I got from Qksilver has rust in the interior roof, cowl, floors, coners and rockers were already replaced, etc. Back east guys would fall over themselves to have this cab because you can't see the grass through any of the rust, but here in AZ I have two or three different cabs that I'll someday bolt on it. I prefer to drive it, rather than unbolt it into a million pieces and then lose interest, yadda, yadda..... If you need to fix (rain blowing in or resto, then find a nice cab or repair) I'd pony up $4-500 for a great cab, because I know how much work and $$$ is involved in repairs and if you aren't good the repairs show it. I like to buy LWB parts trucks a rob em for their goods and scrap the rest (I know this is sacreligious to some, but here LWB outnumber SWB by a lot) Either way good luck with it!

RicksTrucks · 04-05-2006, 02:03 PM

Here is another place

http://www.carolinaclassictrucks.com...ody-parts.html

Bob D · 04-05-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob D

Hi Guys....new person here!

My 70 GMC has the same problem, so I got the patch panel but havent gotten to that part of the restoration yet

Bob

Update: I finally cut out the old and welded in the patch. It was a bear to get in because the pillars are tapered at the top where it goes in the top corners. I found a bit of bondo and foil tape patch material in the piece I took out from a previous repair. Before I welded in the patch I sprayed almost a whole can of rust treatment on all the exposed areas above the windshield, gutter seam and into the area between the headliner and roof. Once patched I sprayed a butt load more thru the visor holes and screw holes for the visors and mirror using a nozzle and straw from a WD-40 can. I also scuffed and sprayed the backside of the patch panel with ZeroRust before installation.

Bob

71chevytruckguy · 04-06-2006, 01:00 AM

that good to know they make a patch panel for that. my '69, that has a '67 cab, is rusted all the was across from about an inch over the the lip for the windsheild to were the sunvisors hook mount. how hard was it to get the old panel out? chris.

**special-K** · 04-06-2006, 07:27 AM

Replacing the header panel is the way to go.Rust repair at the bottom windshield flange area requires fabrication.The header panel is a replacement panel(duplicate of oem panel).Someone needs to produce repair panels or patch panels for the lower area of windshield opening and cowl area that commonly rust on vehicles in all parts of the country.All that sunshime in the southwest kills the gutter caulk.Debris from trees is found all over.Just add water and wait.Less water,longer wait.But,it`ll happen.

Fred T · 12-16-2006, 05:20 AM

I know this is a few moths old, but I put in the eyebrow patch without welding and destroying all the finished part in the cab.

http://myoldtruck.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=7009

danny's 72 superchey · 12-16-2006, 08:10 AM

Hey, i have a better way to fix this problem. Clean out the rust using a spot blaster, about 79 dollars. Then when the flange is clean, use brass to fix the pits thr rust has left. Its almost like brasing, the brass flows really nice, and the repair is permanent.

Sweet72 · 12-16-2006, 09:24 AM

I'd be concerned with warpage when brazing the pits/holes with a torch except on reinforced areas like along the drip rail. Might be okay if you don't have BIG holes.

01-07-2006, 04:22 PM	#1
grizz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 14	windshield rust I found some rust behind the windshield weather stripping on the inside of the cab along the roof. The rust seem to be only in the middle of the windshield. If I was to take the windshield out, would I be able to replace it to clean the rust. Would I have problems getting the seal back in? I've been told that this is a place that they rust out and I am afraid to that would do more damage than good. Is there anything that can be done to replace the edge if it is real bad.

01-07-2006, 04:44 PM	#2
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	Re: windshield rust I'm concerned about the same problem on mine, sorry I don't have an answer. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

01-07-2006, 05:13 PM	#3
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: windshield rust I have had the same problems on a couple of trucks. I ended up finding different cabs. The problem comes in because the rust starts from the inside.Between the headliner panel and the roof. The cause came be a few different things, the rain gutter caulking or leaking from the windsheild gasket. You can clean out the rust as best as possible, replace just what is gone and reseal the windsheild. The rust will come back, either because you couldn't get all of it from between the metal panels and/or the orginal leak that caused it. they do make a patch panel for the inside part above the windsheilds. Do you also have rust on the firewall? good luck............ Steve

01-07-2006, 05:52 PM	#4
1969owner Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: martin georgia Posts: 568	Re: windshield rust one question, why does a windshield get smokey around the edges?

01-07-2006, 06:29 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: windshield rust The smokey look is the plastic sheet between the glass getting old. Not much you can do for it but replace the windshield. I believe they do sell a patch panel for the inside of the cab above the windshield. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-07-2006, 06:32 PM	#6
Bob D Rolled on Paint Club Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Windham, CT. Posts: 232	Re: windshield rust Hi Guys....new person here! My 70 GMC has the same problem, so I got the patch panel but havent gotten to that part of the restoration yet Bob

01-07-2006, 06:59 PM	#7
grizz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 14	Re: windshield rust i have not seen any rust on the firewall yet . can you tell me were to look and why would the firewall rust out. thank you

01-07-2006, 08:20 PM	#8
1969owner Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: martin georgia Posts: 568	Re: windshield rust thanks krue, always wondered what that was with the windshield.

01-10-2006, 06:38 AM	#11
chevymike Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 33	Re: windshield rust I would pull the windshield and see how bad the rust realy is. My 67 had what looked like a small spot of rust when I pulled the windshield it was a lot worse than it looked (had to buy patch panel - GMC Pauls ). As far as the fresh air vents go you can open the vent and reach in there with your hand .You should be able to tell what is in there

01-10-2006, 10:05 AM	#12
72 longhorn BB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 312	Re: windshield rust If the fresh air vent got clogged with debris that held moisture, would'nt that be the area that starts that typical rust you see at the base of the kick panel and the floor? Just wunder'in __________________ Chuck 1972 C-20 Longhorn 402 BB .030" over (409?), curved HEI, RV cam, quadrajet, dual 3" exhaust, TH 400 ported w/shift kit 1999 K1500 Suburban (old style) 5.7L Vortec 4L60E "No matter where you go, ........ there you are"

01-10-2006, 01:15 PM	#13
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,381	Re: windshield rust Yeap, the vent is real easy to remove, just open it and then push it up. The bottom pin will clear and you can pull it out (once you remove the handle mounting screws). Makes it easier to get your hand WAY in there... Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd

01-10-2006, 02:28 PM	#14
72 Cheyenne402 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 581	Re: windshield rust I have some rust in the firewall and around the windshield seal. I am thinking about replacing the cab. I also have trhe typical cab corners and rockers. Last edited by 72 Cheyenne402; 01-10-2006 at 02:29 PM.

01-10-2006, 05:03 PM	#15
Bob D Rolled on Paint Club Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Windham, CT. Posts: 232	Re: windshield rust I got my patch panel for $59 here: http://www.americanclassic.com/ Bob

01-10-2006, 05:19 PM	#16
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: windshield rust Repair or replace really depends on where you live. The truck I got from Qksilver has rust in the interior roof, cowl, floors, coners and rockers were already replaced, etc. Back east guys would fall over themselves to have this cab because you can't see the grass through any of the rust, but here in AZ I have two or three different cabs that I'll someday bolt on it. I prefer to drive it, rather than unbolt it into a million pieces and then lose interest, yadda, yadda..... If you need to fix (rain blowing in or resto, then find a nice cab or repair) I'd pony up $4-500 for a great cab, because I know how much work and $$$ is involved in repairs and if you aren't good the repairs show it. I like to buy LWB parts trucks a rob em for their goods and scrap the rest (I know this is sacreligious to some, but here LWB outnumber SWB by a lot) Either way good luck with it! Last edited by 70rs/ss; 01-10-2006 at 05:19 PM.

04-05-2006, 02:03 PM	#17
RicksTrucks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Claremore, OK 74017 Posts: 2,640	Re: windshield rust Here is another place http://www.carolinaclassictrucks.com...ody-parts.html __________________ 68 Short Stepside C-10 69 SWB C-10 70 Flatbed C-20 70 LWB C-20 BB402 70 LWB C-10 CST 70 LWB C-10 CST 71 Short Stepside Cheyenne C-10 72 LWB C-10 72 Blazer 4x4 4spd 95 Jeep Cherokee 4x4



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04-06-2006, 01:00 AM	#19
71chevytruckguy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 599	Re: windshield rust that good to know they make a patch panel for that. my '69, that has a '67 cab, is rusted all the was across from about an inch over the the lip for the windsheild to were the sunvisors hook mount. how hard was it to get the old panel out? chris. __________________ its a work in progess. 71 c-10 lwb, in the middle of frame off restoration. 69 c-10 swb, drag truck, 406 sbc, balanced, comp 292 cam, ported, polished, gasket matched, and bowl blended pro comp 210cc heads, 2.02/1.60 ferrea valves,1.6 roller rockers, re curved hei with msd 6al box, 2-step rev limter, accel 300+ wires, ported victor jr intake, holley 750 double pumper carb, dynomax 1 5/8 headers, 4 spd munci m-20 with super case and iron midplate, mr. gasket vertigate shifter, 5.38 pro gears with full spool, 33 spline moser axles and c-clip elimators, line-loc, 5 gal fuel cell, holley blue pump. 7.807 @ 88.37mph 1.60 60FT 80 g-20 van, tow rig, cammed 305, th350, 10 bolt 88 jeep wrangler, dd, 258, ax-15 swap, 4.5" lift, 33x12.50's, lockers, 3.55's

04-06-2006, 07:27 AM	#20
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: windshield rust Replacing the header panel is the way to go.Rust repair at the bottom windshield flange area requires fabrication.The header panel is a replacement panel(duplicate of oem panel).Someone needs to produce repair panels or patch panels for the lower area of windshield opening and cowl area that commonly rust on vehicles in all parts of the country.All that sunshime in the southwest kills the gutter caulk.Debris from trees is found all over.Just add water and wait.Less water,longer wait.But,it`ll happen. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-16-2006, 05:20 AM	#21
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: windshield rust I know this is a few moths old, but I put in the eyebrow patch without welding and destroying all the finished part in the cab. http://myoldtruck.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=7009 __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

12-16-2006, 08:10 AM	#22
danny's 72 superchey Danny's 72 superchey Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Battleground,Wa. Posts: 58	Re: windshield rust Hey, i have a better way to fix this problem. Clean out the rust using a spot blaster, about 79 dollars. Then when the flange is clean, use brass to fix the pits thr rust has left. Its almost like brasing, the brass flows really nice, and the repair is permanent.

12-16-2006, 09:24 AM	#23
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: windshield rust I'd be concerned with warpage when brazing the pits/holes with a torch except on reinforced areas like along the drip rail. Might be okay if you don't have BIG holes. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction. Last edited by Sweet72; 12-16-2006 at 09:25 AM.

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