MTFCA Forum

Is an adhesive used to bond the door glass felt channel to the metal retaining channel in couples?

I would not trust an adhesive. Only pop rivets. There is no adhesive that won’t eventually let go over time and vibration, but it would not hurt to use a fast drying 2 part clear Devcon or JB Weld epoxy (comes in a 2 tube syringe) to hold the felt channel in place while you drill the holes and pop rivet the felt channels in place. Try to use the same holes. Jim Patrick

Jim, The felt channel was not riveted to the retaining channel on my 1927 coupe. It held in place by the clip at the top and the clip at the bottom that are shown in the attached photo. The was no evidence of any adhesive.

Some one told me that adhesive should be used. I had not intend to use any adhesive because it takes some time to get the felt channel hooked in at the top and bottom, and the adhesive is tacky enough to prevent the piece from being moved around while trying to get it hooked.

Rivet the top and bottom clips to the top and bottom felt channels as originally done. Whoever told you to use adhesive is wrong. If you have the original felt channel (never throw away old parts until the job is done), line the original felt channel up with the new felt channel and drill holes in the same place on the new felt channel and rivet the clips on. Make sure you get the top and bottom correct and be sure to rivet the clips with the tops and bottoms correctly positioned so they will slide into the channel holes properly. After 51 years, It is coming back to me. Instead of pop rivets, you will need to use hollow rivets so they will fit flat to the clips, as pop rivets are not flat on the backside.

Attached are several photos of the hollow rivets you will need and the special punch used to brad them. The photos are from McMaster-Carr of Atlanta, GA. Go to www.McMaster.com and type “hollow rivets” in the search box and choose the size you need. Be sure and carefully read the tutorial on all of the hollow rivets that are available and how to measure them so as to order the correct rivets. Jim Patrick

PS. I would carefully drill out the rivets and re-use the original clips. When you drill the rivets out, drill only the rivets, then punch them through with a pin punch. Do not drill new hole in the clips. Notice how the rivets on your original clips look identical to the hollow rivet “bottom” photo.

Jim, Thanks for hollow rivet information.

I have attached some of my clips using split rivets, but I ran out of them. After seeing your information, I thought maybe I should attach the remaining clips using hollow rivets or maybe replace the split rivets that I had already installed.

I looked up the McMaster information for size etc. and also the special tool needed to install them. The Tool cost is $55, so I guess I will stay with the split rivets!

I know you don’t want to hear what I am about to suggest, but I know how conscientious you are and that you want to do it right. With that said, I would absolutely replace the split rivets with hollow rivets. The only thing I would use split rivets for is the cowl and radiator lacing. Split rivets are unable to to hold as tight and as permanently as the hollow rivets and split rivets will eventually loosen and break, leaving your felt channels to move around inside the door which offers no protection and could break your door glass. Jim Patrick

I have a hollow rivet punch I can lend you in order to help you do it right. Send me a PM with your address and I will mail it to you. If I can find my hollow rivets, I will send you those as well. Jim Patrick

Jim, I sent you a pm. Hope you got it, I haven't used pm very much!

I didn’t get it. I PM’d you my e-mail so you can email me your address. Jim Patrick

I used hollow rivets as Jim Patrick recommended.

Outstanding! The hollow rivets will hold alot better than split rivets. Jim Patrick

Bruce, what diameter and length hollow rivets did you use? I have the same task to do on my '25 coupe. Thanks,

Jahn

Jahn, I used 9/64" diameter x 0.25" hollow-body rivets from McMaster.com. They also have hollow-end rivets.