DIY dew wipes (Page 1/2)
shemdogg AUG 31, 09:48 PM
My 88 had dew wipes that were cracked all over really bad. I ordered 2 sets of these (1 for the kitcar)

https://www.rubbertherightw...e-stainless-lip.html

These have a stainless lip, but could be plasti dipped or painted. I wanted the stainless to go w my wheels. I read up a buncha threads on how to get those 2 pesky middle screws out. Pull the window, pull the track, all kindsa stuff. I took 1 door panel off and quickly decided I wasnt gonna drill out all the rivets holding everything in to get 2 screws out. Gotta be anudder way.

I loosened the felt pads on the inside of the door that hold the window against the felt. With the window away from the wipe( I already have the easily removeable screws out at this point), I wrapped a chisel in a rag and bend the sides of the dew wipes away from the screws so it looks like a v. Then I was able to get a sawzall in there and cut the dew wipes off the screws. I cut the new wipes to size and transferred the felt pads to the new wipes w a rivet gun, and drilled the mounting holes. I hit the stainless w some 220 in one direction to give it the grooved effect my wheels have. Installed w the easy to remove screws, and added 2 more. Easy peasy



What a difference, the bad dew wipes just stuck out. Luv it!

shem
Dennis LaGrua SEP 01, 10:35 AM
A most unique install and it looks good. my only concern would be the dew wipes staying in place and keeping the water out It. These wipes save a bit of money but you need to have the two hard to get at screw locations to hold the wipe in place.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

shemdogg SEP 02, 11:44 PM
Whatup Dennis! Appreciate the concern but those things are solid. Larger diameter and more threads on the washer head screws I used have it on there good. Unless some upward force comes up through the door and can rip that metal thru the screws, they aint comin off lol. Took it on the freeway a bit today, totally solid. More worried of a sail panel flying off! If I push crazy hard in the middle I can barely get it to flex any. The felts are pushing the glass against the wipes pretty hard so should be water proof.

Waterproof- I dunno
Readily available - yes
Looks good - yes
Solid mounted- yes
Hassle free install- yes

Just another way to skin a cat
shem
Dennis LaGrua SEP 03, 03:46 PM

quote
Originally posted by shemdogg:

Whatup Dennis! Appreciate the concern but those things are solid. Larger diameter and more threads on the washer head screws I used have it on there good. Unless some upward force comes up through the door and can rip that metal thru the screws, they aint comin off lol. Took it on the freeway a bit today, totally solid. More worried of a sail panel flying off! If I push crazy hard in the middle I can barely get it to flex any. The felts are pushing the glass against the wipes pretty hard so should be water proof.

Waterproof- I dunno
Readily available - yes
Looks good - yes
Solid mounted- yes
Hassle free install- yes

Just another way to skin a cat
shem



I do not doubt that the job is sound and that the dew wipes are securely in place. You mentioned cutting the screws in the difficult locations behind the window to get the old wipes out but the only way that I can see fastening the new wipes is to unbolt the stops and raise the window up and over the screw locations to replace those mounting screws. Is that what you did?

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

shemdogg SEP 03, 11:40 PM
No I just have one screw at each end, and one screw on each side of the window at its lowest point. As close as I could get to the window edges with the screws going in straight.

shem
Vintage-Nut SEP 04, 08:57 AM
Hey shemdogg,

Maybe a photo will help us to understand your method than using many words......


The GM outer “sealing strips” design (a.k.a. dew wipers) uses five screws to mount onto the door; one round hole in the middle of the strip which centers with the door, the other four screws has elongated holes for manufacture tolerances to match-up with the door screw holes plus the mirror studs/nuts.

Can you draw on this photo to illustrate your idea?

Merely a thought.....`

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Original Owner of a '88 GT and under 'Production Refurbishment'

IMSA GT SEP 04, 12:43 PM
I'm just going to guess and say that because it is a true stainless steel backing, (shaped like mini angle iron) it really has no flex so the 2 mounting screws may be sufficient.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 09-04-2023).]

shemdogg SEP 04, 10:02 PM
Lol theres a total of 4 screws- one at each end and one on each side of the window. Here I made a schematic that should explain it better


Like imsagt said its a piece of stainless angle with some fuzzy dew wipe blade stuck to it. Way way beefier than the oem metal which I bent easily away from the screws to make the v shape and cut. That isnt happening w this stuff lol, its beefy

In the area where I didnt put the 2 factory screws, even with my beastmaster fingernails I can maybe get 3/16 deflection towards the window. Nice and tight and not going anywhere.

Lower the window, remove the door panel ends, pull the mirror and the screws u can easily get to, cut the wipe off, cut the new one to shape, mark the holes and rivet the fuzzies back on, attach wipes w screws.

easy peasy

shem
Dennis LaGrua SEP 09, 07:29 PM
Good explanation and nice job. Looks great but one last question. I know that I've beaten the subject to death so please excuse the extra question. The completed job looks like you end up with a strip of stainless outside the window and on the top edge of the outside door panel. I believe that I see this correctly right?

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

shemdogg SEP 10, 08:58 PM
No worries man ask away Yeah the stainless lip is showing on the top of the door



shem