Installing a Windshield Rubber with the Soapy String Trick The "soapy string"
trick -- a classic to be sure. Modern windshields are held in place using very
strong adhesive, but not too long ago they were installed using no adhesive and
only the rubber held the whole thing in place. It was a good system, and
ultimately easier to replace a damaged windshield. The hardest part of this
installation was getting the rubber windshield gasket to pop over the lip of the
car body so it would hold the windshield firmly in place. This is where the
soapy string comes in. Soapy string isn't a snappy euphemism -- it's a string
drenched in soapy solution. And it works. Here's how it works. First you have to
choose a string. I like a string cotton string. If you can get your hands on the
string from a set of horizontal blinds, use it. It even has a handy handle to
pull on. If not, find something similar. I stay away from nylon strings because
they can be sharp enough to cut the windshield rubber slightly. Add soap. Now
you have to soap up everything. You want your string, your rubber and the car
body to be nice and soapy. You can use a spray bottle autel
md801, sponge, rag, whatever. Use regular dish soap in water. You can't use
too much soap. Wrap the string. With your rubber installed on the windshield,
take the soapy string and, starting with the top center, wrap it tightly into
the channel that holds the car body. Wrap it all the way around until you're
back at the top again. Leave 6 inches or so of string hanging out from both
ends, these will be your pull handles. Install the windshield. Press the
windshield into place, using your hands to press the rubber as far into place as
possible. You want the rubber to be right against the body, ready to pop into
place. Now's where the string comes in. If you have a helper, have your helper
put slight pressure on the outside top of the windshield. If not, no biggie.
From the inside of the car autel
maxisys pro ms908p, take one end of your string and pull it gently through
until you see the rubber popping through to your side. Gently coax the rubber
through, and as you pull the string the rubber will follow. Move all the way
around the windshield and by the time you get to the top again, it's in!
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