Reinstall of Roof Rail Weatherstrip Holder

[andy72]

While replacing my Weatherstrip Window Guides in the previous post, the foam tape on the back of the aluminum piece that holds the roof rail weatherstripping is destroyed and old.

I noticed that the actual roof drip rail is just screwed up into position.  This is above the aluminum weatherstripping piece.

My reaction was wow, what keeps water from pouring through onto the outer edge of the headliner? 

So I poured some water on the roof above the drip rail, and the water just pours through to above the aluminum piece I have out of the car.  I couldn't believe it.

(I was removing the failed anodizing and installing new window guides)

So, It seems that the only thing keeping all the water from the roof from getting to the edge of the headliner is the foam tape the is above the roof rail weatherstrip holder?

Any advice on the re-install of this area?

Is it just foam tape or something special? Where can I purchase?

I'm seeing this correct right?  I almost reinstalled with the old flattened crusty foam tape in place thinking it's kinda an unseen item.

 

[72HCODE]

its a special closed cell foam tape that doesn't absorb water it is double sided and EXTREMELY sticky you get one shot with it.

the problem is finding it.. there was a member Dennis here that had access to the correct tape and sold kits. he disappeared years ago so there is no help there.

there is some double sided close foam tape used on earlier mustang and some people have had success using it. the tape gets squeezed down when you mount the drip rails.

now i did mine years ago when i found out i had a leak because the tape had all rotted away and water was flooding into my headliner.

I bought one of dennis's kits and redid mine. when i started i didn't know about dennis's kit and i attempted to use Thick sealer, it was a Disaster.

so i had to start all over with one of those foam kits.

so basically a little foam is keeping the water out and not that well at all. even properly factory sealed water still gets in and drains to the Quarter panels behind the B pillar where the lower black plastic vents are. there are suppose to be drains to the rocker there also. everything gets rusted and clogged so the water just sits in the lower front quarters area.

i setup a little tutorial when i did mine

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-how-to-remove-and-repair-your-71-73-roof-line-drip-rails

i don't know how relative it still is but give it a look through

even with the foam tape i notice lots of gaps water could get in so i went with sealer as i did the install and put sealer around areas i felt let too much water in even with the foam tape. mostly towards the back of the roof line.

 

[andy72]

its a special closed cell foam tape that doesn't absorb water it is double sided and EXTREMELY sticky you get one shot with it.

the problem is finding it.. there was a member Dennis here that had access to the correct tape and sold kits. he disappeared years ago so there is no help there.

there is some double sided close foam tape used on earlier mustang and some people have had success using it. the tape gets squeezed down when you mount the drip rails.

now i did mine years ago when i found out i had a leak because the tape had all rotted away and water was flooding into my headliner.

I bought one of dennis's kits and redid mine. when i started i didn't know about dennis's kit and i attempted to use Thick sealer, it was a Disaster.

so i had to start all over with one of those foam kits.

so basically a little foam is keeping the water out and not that well at all. even properly factory sealed water still gets in and drains to the Quarter panels behind the B pillar where the lower black plastic vents are. there are suppose to be drains to the rocker there also. everything gets rusted and clogged so the water just sits in the lower front quarters area.

i setup a little tutorial when i did mine

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-how-to-remove-and-repair-your-71-73-roof-line-drip-rails

i don't know how relative it still is but give it a look through

even with the foam tape i notice lots of gaps water could get in so i went with sealer as i did the install and put sealer around areas i felt let too much water in even with the foam tape. mostly towards the back of the roof line.

Thanks for confirming what I am seeing. Enjoyed your tutorial.  Looks exactly like where I am at.  Hard to believe this is the "water path" Ford was ok with.

Couple things, I did a post a week or so ago about the coating on these rails.  Mine were really cloudy and ugly.  I was told it is anodizing and I have removed mine with oven cleaner.

I am down to bare aluminum.  I plan to clean/polish a little with MAAS aluminum paste.  Pretty much garage kept.  I hope they hold up well.

I see you riveted your guides back on. I have a post about this right now.  Looks like a small pop rivet will work if the protruding section face down into the weatherstripping?

I guess I will call Don at Ohio Mustang about the foam tape.  I PM'd Hemikiller over a week ago because I am looking for the correct foam tape to do my rear window install. I have never heard back from him?  Anyone know if he still sells these different closed cell foam tapes?

 

[mustang7173]

Hello Andy72,

Please read my thread on this subject.

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-sealing-roof-rails

The Scott Drake foam seal did do it's job.

http://www.ohiomustang.com/store/order_page.asp?itemid=3243



upload image

I would recommend to look at getting the 3M Products Strip Calk 08578 and inserting into the drip rail to seal up the drip rail. Also, this can be used to seal up the round corners where the roof rail mounts.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tes-08578?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-3m&gclid=CIzGm8TX4NQCFYw6gQodKzgNaA



mustang7173

 

[piper62j]

I use the grey.. Works very well.

 

[andy72]

Thanks guys. I talked to Don at OMS today. He gave me the exact info for the foam tape and basically the same suggestion on the caulk strips. Especially in the corner. What I wasn't going to do but now am, is remove the drip rail. Apparently there should be sealer above this piece. The way the water pours off of my roof out the bottom of the drip rail, I should seal this up. I was under the impression that only the foam tape on top of the weatherstrip rail was the water stopper.

Thanks again