Taking out and replacing side windows

Brand new rubber
dresses the glass up nicely

 I ordered two seals for my back side windows. The old VW is getting a face lift. Maybe not so much a face lift as a nice shot of BOTOX around the eyes. These new seals look great and will make my bug like new once finished.

After the trial and error experiencing removing both the rear and front glass, I found an easier way to to take out the windows. After pulling of the aluminum trim, cut the old seal all the way through the trim's channel.  Next cut between the window and seal (lift the rubber and slip the carpet knife blade in and slice to meet the cut you made in the channel). This will allow you to remove just the part of the seal holding the window in. Press the window gently from the inside and it should pop out. Next, just remove the old seal.

The channel for the new
aluminum trim

Where it took almost and hour to install the new seal around the back window, I developed a rhythm and method. The second window took about 30 minutes and the third window to 10 minutes. Use the same technique I mentioned earlier. This time you will be able to feel what is right and what works. Practice makes you faster. I'm looking forward to seeing how fast I get the windshield done. 

Replacing Window Seals

Ok, how hard can it be? Just pull up the video on YouTube and follow the directions, Right?

The only thing is, you can't feel what they feel nor see what they see on YouTube. You just have to experience it for yourself. And today, I experienced it.

Pull this clamp off and expose the chrome ends

I began with removing the chrome from around the window seal. First I grabbed the bottom chrome clamp with my needle nose pliers and yanked it out. Next, I grabbed a chrome trim edge and pulled that out. Soon I was staring at the remaining dry rotted seal.

Trim along the seal with a carpet cutter. Then pull the top
seal to expose glass

I dispatched that quickly by rimming straight through the crevice where the chrome was seated. This in turn split the seal in half all along its length. I chiseled the bottom half with a screw driver and soon exposed the ends of the class.

Chip away the rest of the seal and remove it.

I slid the screw drive tip under the glass and lifted it out. Be careful, the glass is heavier than it looks.

You might have to trim off the head liner if it is glued to the seal.

Put the glass on a soft surface and clean it

Next, put the glass on something soft and clean it.

All done

The most difficult is putting the seal around the glass. Actually, the hardest is to determine which channel the glass fits in. The smooth area with two channels is what you need to focus on. There is one channel for the chrome and one for the window. 

This can be determined by holding the seal. The inside part of the seal has a tight curve at the end. This goes inside the car. The channel closest to it is where you want to put window.

Work the corners on first. I had good luck beginning with putting the left corner on first and forcing the glass into the channel while simultaneously rocking the seal. Then I worked my way around the entire glass. I didn't use any silicone or soap, just plain old rocking and leverage. I used a plastic tool to help seat the seal.

This takes an hour or more (my first time) and takes endurance and forearm strength. Lift the seal 90 degrees away from the glass with one hand and seat the seal with the other. It's still difficult, but it is a good technique.

Have fun.