just a quick question for the board I'm getting ready to install my sliding door windows. Every thing I have read said use mastic to sel the channel to the door. Ok what is mastic ? will Silicone work as well? what have you guys used ?
Thanks Dave the new guy

Sikaflex is the stuff to use, I would say.

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Hi Dave,
The assembly plants here in NZ used Butyl Mastic, white or black, depending on body colour.

Regards
Al

Thanks guys I have researched the product you suggested. I am wondering if there is a more common name for this. Not wanting to second guess this product and not wanting to have to redo this pain in the but%% assembly in a few years I am not find this mastic locally. the link goodnight sent sugested Silicone for thinner joints. I found a product in a roll like a tape looked like window ribbon.
Thanks confused in the U.S.
Dave

Butyl Mastic is a rubber based non hardening sealer. (roughly translated; butyl=rubber, mastic=putty)

I found 3M™ Auto Bedding and Glazing Compound which I think is a similar product that should be found in the USA.

Some of the smarter people here might be able to say if that will suit your purpose as I have never worked on sliding window doors.

Butyl mastic is commonly known as windscreen sealant (used with rubbers, not bonded in screens)

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks for all your help guy's I found the product at are local automotive paint supply
Thanks for helping me get it right the first time
Dave

You seem to have this sorted OK - but just a word of advice to anyone else who may be watching for answers...

Don't use silicon - it can react with metals over time. You could end up with it all badly corroded in a few years - even if it is always garaged out of the weather.

That salt and vinegar smell from silicone in acetic acid fumes

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Dean Hutton's first car was a Mini.

Intresting that you brought this up I was at are local glass shop this morring and was talking with them about this. Thay have seen older cars that have had windscreen leaks were someone tryed to seal it with silicone when the screen was removed and the silicone scraped away rust would be every were the silicone was. and they were saying it was just that a reaction to the silicone and metal vary intresting. But I have the right product and thats what is matters.
Thanks guys

I was a windscreen fitter for a number of years and I can you the worst thing you can do to a leaking screen is seal it with silicon, although you can buy non-acidic silicon.

VL Commodores, Sigmas, and early Magna's were the worst for rust after people had had a go at it with silicon.

One caution about using Sikaflex is it will not adhere to rust. If there is rust present, it will expand and push the sikaflex. Instant leak. Butyl Mastic will stay pliable for a long time, and will not cause rust

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Member VMCI #19