Hi I'm replacing the chrome quarter light units. I've removed them taken out the glass and cleaned off the seal from the glass. The new seal looks like a roll of tape, can anyone give me any tips for replacing the glass in the chrome? Do you put the seal on the glass or the chrome, does it help to apply washing up liquid?
Do you trim the seal to size once fitted?
Any tips greatly received thanks.

I recently pondered doing the same job myself. Scouring threads on here lead me to feel I should just repair my existing frame as best I could and use windscreen sealer around the glass.

The roll of tape just looks odd to me and reportedly the aftermarket frames aren't the best fit. But someone who's had a crack might be able to offer more.

best tip...

sell the car as is and buy one with the seals already replaced...
The general opinion seems to be this is one of the worst jobs....
I have badly corroded 1/4 frames and brand new replacement frames....
I have had them for 2-3 years... still not drummed up the courage to do them with the correct seal....because I have the original correct glass for a 1959 car and I don't want to break it, and I don't want to do it the easy modern type way.....
Lots of people go for the Silkaflex type solution...
There are a few how to do similar glass/seal replacements online if you search, some in foreign languages.. but the original glass was "Pressed in" a real pain!!!!

i am sure those that have replaced the seals will be chipping in soon

I filled the chrone frame with clear frame sealant. Then folded the rubber around the glass edge and pressed it into the frame .
When dry cut away the rubber and sealant and sigh ......its a horrid job and the end result didn't fit properly....?

Thanks lads you've really cheered me up. New chromes on was and old dismantled so it's going to happen one way or another. I'll let you know how I progress.

stocky said:

Thanks lads you've really cheered me up. New chromes on was and old dismantled so it's going to happen one way or another. I'll let you know how I progress.

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I knew Andrew would inspire you with such confidence...
I won't try because the frames that are more expensive than later ones are a different shape to my original ones.. so need bending and possibly modifying because the alloy catches do not even fit...
and these are the best ones...

All my parts arrived so I've been busy. New chrome quarters are crap finish so dissapointed. The rubber is not sticky but when you fold it in the chrome it doesn't cover the clasp area. The new units are also wider so they don't grip the glass tight. Bit of washing up liquid on the rubber and slid it in. Held the frame tight with some tape and trimmed rubber with Stanley knife. Put frame in car and it didn't fit the window and the glass wasn't going to stay in place. Back to drawing board.
I fitted the chrome in the car without the glass and with some persuading got it to shape against the rubber seal holding it in place with the handle. I then ran a bead of black gutter sealant inside the chrome strip, inserted the glass and pulled back in place with the handle. I put spacers between the glass edge and the main window frame to stop the glass from moving and then ran sealant around in/outside between the glass and chrome. Left for 24 hours to go off before opening the window. That's where I'm at now today I will fill any gaps in the sealant and then clean surplus with a knife. Will post photo when done, think I may eventually have the original units re chromed as they are far superior.

Gee it sounds as bad as others have said, what a shame.
Well done improvising though and thanks for sharing

Stocky, I feel your pain. My chrome trims were rusted through so I purchased some new stainless ones thinking what could possible go wrong.... Well, they were the wrong shape, the rivets holding the various fittings pulled out, they would not close properly, the pivots were the wrong angle. I even tried getting the riveted parts welded up, I persevered but for me it was a waste of effort.

I took a load of bits to be chromed, showed the guy the frames and he said 'I can fix that" and he did. Cleaned them, cut out the rusty bits, repaired them and then chromed them again. These guys deal with tragics like us all the time. I suspect if they can't do it themselves then they know a guy who knows a guy..... It's worth a shot.

Getting the glass in was the next step. I used a sealant. From memory, I put some rubber 'U' channel on the glass at several points that would keep the glass centered in the frame, partly filled the frame with the sealant, pushed the glass in and let the excess sealant squeeze out. Resisted the urge to wipe off the excess, let it harden and then cut the excess off with a sharp hobby knife. Worked for me and I have never looked at it again.

The new frames were some of the most disappointing parts I have purchased. Nothing about the ones I ordered was good. I have included some photo's for reference.

I've bought some second hand quarter lights from Italy - and will restore and retro fit another time...

My originals were in good condition just pitted so will defo get chromed. I've just put the final run of sealant around the new and waiting for it to harden before I trim. Looks ok and the gutter sealant comes off the chrome and glas easily with your finger as it sets to a rubber not silicone. Does anyone know what the pivot arm locates into in the door as I had trouble with one and had to run a drill through to clear it.

Also anyone any idea how much to chrome them?

Just finished them off, apart from the quality of the chrome I'm quite pleased considering I thought I wasn't going to get them to fit.

Having trouble uploading photos

And last one

Neat work, neat garage. Do you realise that you have become the go-to Guru for this....a big responsibility.

Probably took me best part of a day all hours added up, but then I've got nowt better to do.

stocky said:

Probably took me best part of a day all hours added up, but then I've got nowt better to do.

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There's nowt better that anyone can do than to fettle a Fiat.

fiat500 said:

Neat work, neat garage. Do you realise that you have become the go-to Guru for this....a big responsibility.

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I was thinking that regarding the garage! My tools are neatly piled up on the garage floor, usually within throwing distance of where they were last used!

I tidied the garage ready for Bella I was sick of spending longer looking for the tool than doing the job. It's an couple of hours well spent, then you have more time down the pub talking about what you've done.