Fourth-generation Camaro/Firebird dew wipes? (Page 2/2)
Quad Raider DEC 01, 07:10 PM
I still have to transfer the felt inserts over to the Firebird wipe and adjust the screw holes, but I'm very happy with the results.

I think this design is so much better than the Fieros. Because the lip is so big the mounting holes don't have to be precise.

Of course, there's still a chance I'll discover a problem when I put the window back in the door, but so far so good.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 12-01-2018).]

88Fingers DEC 01, 11:02 PM
Kudos to you man! I think your innovation on this is fantastic and keep up the process.
It's guys like you that help keep the whole Fiero fantasy alive and I for one appreciate reading about new ideas like this. Kudos!!
Quad Raider DEC 02, 11:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by 88Fingers:

Kudos to you man! I think your innovation on this is fantastic and keep up the process.
It's guys like you that help keep the whole Fiero fantasy alive and I for one appreciate reading about new ideas like this. Kudos!!



Thank you. Dennis brings up some good points, but I think this may be a good alternative.

I don't remember which vehicles the different types of Firebird/Camaro wipes came from, but I bet the integral felt ones are a later design. Tempted to go back to the salvage to try to find a set.
Quad Raider DEC 03, 10:26 AM
Here's some more documentation of the process. The Firebird/Camaro wipes are attached to the door by several clips. It's easy to pry them off:



Here's a view of the preferred type of wipe. It has a felt strip that runs the whole length, eliminating the need for the two felt inserts that are riveted to the Fiero wipe, as well as the two curved felt plates at either end.



I somehow managed to get home from the salvage with four F/C wipes, but only one of them had this strip. I can't remember if I got my wipes off of two cars or three, but I will plan to get to the salvage later in the week to find another one with the long felt strip.

Unexpected problem #1. The long felt strip at the bottom of the F/C wipe is a tight fit for the hole punch.





So tight, in fact, that the punch rubbed off some of the felt. The solution to this is to use a Dremel to make the holes.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 12-03-2018).]

Quad Raider DEC 03, 10:30 AM
I had to adjust the screw holes several times, but finally got the F/C wipe installed in the door. The long felt strip makes it a very tight fit to get the window back in the door. The strip actually caught the bottom of the window a couple of times but by using a screw driver I guided into place. I ran out of time to get the window bolted in and to check the lowering and raising operation, but so far so good:
Quad Raider DEC 03, 10:15 PM
I put the door back together and it works. I'll post photos tomorrow.
Quad Raider DEC 29, 08:38 PM
I installed the dew wipes on both doors and they work and look great.



After I took this photo I trimmed the front of the wipe so it would fit around plastic triangle. I'm very happy with the results. I've now moved on to painting the car.
cmechmann JAN 12, 09:11 PM
Few questions.
Are the Firebird wipes long enough to extend the rubber all the way to the front of the door under the triangle(top of wipe trimmed)?
Do you know if the aftermarket/Firebirdcentral F-body wipes come with the lower felt bar? couldn't tell from their pics. If they have the lower felt bar, Do the stock felt pads need to be installed?
With the 4th gen F-bodies being produced in larger numbers, I'm wondering if the bulk strips are not available somewhere.
It isn't that I wouldn't spend the money for new wipes, it's more like I don't have the money to spend on them. I have been considering making my own from http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/ymr260x , but if the F-body type is somehow available, I'd rather make them from them. Anyway to get a hold of Firebirdcentral, to find out where they are getting their bulk strips? Being that we would have to modify them anyway.
Would you post some pics of how you are removing installing your window?
I do like the better water repealing design of this. Also they look better the way they they cover the skin.
Quad Raider JAN 14, 08:00 PM
Yes, the Firebird wipes are long enough to stretch the whole length of the Fiero door. They’re about a foot longer than the Fiero wipes. Once I got mine installed I thought about redoing them and making them the length of the door, but the plastic triangle fits too closely on my driver’s side door.

I ditched the square felts and the felt inserts. I’m not an expert, but I don’t think they’re needed with the Firebird wipes that have the felt strip. The Firebird wipes don’t have them and the Firebird window is bigger than the Fiero window.

The windows install the same way they did with the Fiero wipes, but you have to be careful not to catch the felt strip with the glass as you’re sliding it into the door. I ended up drilling the mounting holes on the wipes about a quarter-inch lower on the wipe than on the Fiero ones, because the lip holds the wipe higher on the door.