Window Frame Paintwork

[safariobsession]

A few months ago i was debating whether to repaint around my van's side windows with black or the factory light blue. I eventually decided on the factory match light blue like some of you guys thought would look better. I thought the blue would look better next to the old style tinted windows (smokey tint unlike the newer blacker tint IN the glass). P.S. Only did the passenger side for now.

Here's what it looked like after my dad and i took the window out, seal, all that damn tar like sealer, and some black tape above and below the window. TIP: The black tar-like sealer sucked royally to remove, BUT, pressing some flour into it made it crumble and non-sticky and a lot easierto remove with a sharp edge stick (so not to scratch good paint). The old residue i took off with paint thinner and presto...



If you tackle this yourself, definitely try to feather out/sand the ridges of the old peeling paint as best as you can. I did my best and felt no ridges, but they show in the end. Must be what makes bodywork such a pain in the ....butt! Here she is primered up after being masked off.



Here's a bit of the base color...



The unveiling after 1 and a half cans of clear... I was scared even though it was supposed to be a direct Duplicolor match, but the match was damn near perfect considering the original paint had 17 years of sun baking.



Here it is after some wetsanding with 600 grit sand paper and some paste wax. Didn't want to make it too shiny and make it look better than the original, haha! It's all about matching for now.



I was able to pick up a couple newer style window seals and press this one in place after putting some non-hardening silocone in the seam of the seal. The older style seals had a wide lip that extended past the glass itself and IMHO would look ugly on top of blue. Here she is put back together...





It didn't turn out perfect but for a day's job with some spray cans and elbow grease, I'm happy.

[skippy]

looks great . better than the black for sure.

[mattblackratbus]

It didn't turn out perfect but for a day's job with some spray cans and elbow grease, I'm happy.

Hey don't put yourself down, for a rattle can finish that is ace...well done.. ..Johnny

[SafariRob]

Very nice! I recently repainted the hood on my '89. It didn't turn out near as nice as your paintwork, but was definitely an improvement.

[Smiliesafari]

Looks great!!!!!! Good job.

[ihatemybike]

Looks a lot better than the black.

[astronut74]

Wow! that looks darn good! Looks like if I every get to painting my van, I'll be doing that as well.

[kings-x59]

Looks great. the flour was a neat trick, I'll have to remember that one.

[safariobsession]

Thanks guys! I like it much better than black. I'll have to tackle the driver's side eventually. Gonna have to practice pulling out a little dent and bondo-ing or something on that side....or just paint it as is. Kudos to my dad for mentioning the flour idea. Just a sharp flat stick, paint thinner, and rag wasnt doing it.

[LastCat]

Very nice work, you did a good job. Where did you find the new Window Seals? Would you happen to know of any parts numbers?

Next time you try and remove any kind of sealer/adhesive, try this product below:



You can find 3M Adhesive remover in most Paint stores. It works great, and it will NOT harm your paint.

Cheers
Good Luck
LC

[safariobsession]

Where did you find the new Window Seals? Would you happen to know of any parts numbers?

Cheers
Good Luck
LC

Thanks!

At first i went to the stealership to see what they charged for new window seals. ....$100, yes $100 a piece! So i went down to the local junkyard again and for $2.00 i got a window seal for each side of the van. Woo, $1.00 a piece! I cleaned them, Armor-alled them, and let them sit until paint day. Not sure of the part numbers though but I do know they used the newer style seals from 1993 and up. My old ones had a fringe that extended past the window itself and were "losing their shape" in the frame.

I'll remember that adhesive remover for next time for the next side, thanks!

[astrozam]

Nice job, thanks for the pics

[safariobsession]

Thanks Keith! Looks like the driver's side will have to hold off for another weekend....here comes much needed rain!

[s10-den]

Turned out great....It had $25 in a rattle can job on one of my s10's,it was a 5 footerpain job,but I got 1800 bucks out of it.I only paid 300 for the truck, "it needes a paint job bad" is what the owner told me.

[safariobsession]

Turned out great....It had $25 in a rattle can job on one of my s10's,it was a 5 footerpain job,but I got 1800 bucks out of it.I only paid 300 for the truck, "it needes a paint job bad" is what the owner told me.

I bet! If it looks good, the right person might just buy it. Sometimes just some clear paint can do wonders too. Thanks!