Fourth-generation Camaro/Firebird dew wipes? (Page 1/2)
Quad Raider NOV 25, 07:55 PM
While at the salvage yard today getting parts for my wife's GTP, I happened to glance at the car sitting next to the Grand Prix. It was a mid 90s Firebird. Has anyone tried using dew wipes from these cars? I searched the forum but didn't find any threads.

I've tried making my own replacement wipes but the lip won't seal over the door skin.

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...ML/097646-2.html#p78

When I saw the dew wipe on the Firebird today a light bulb went off. The Firebird/Camaro wipe is huge, both in length and width, so there's plenty of material to cut down. They're attached to the door with clips.



I'll have to take my doors apart to make sure, but here's what the Firebird/Camaro sweep looks like on one of my salvage yard door skins.



The Firebird sweep is on the left, the new Fiero sweep material is on the right. The rubber flange on the Fiero material sticks out more horizontally than the Firebird sweep, but that could because the Firebird sweep is 20 years old.



The Firebird/Camaro sweep is a better design, in my opinion, because it doesn't have the channel that would catch water. It’s one continuous slope from the window over the top of the door skin. I probably won’t be able to take the door apart and do a test fit until next weekend.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 11-25-2018).]

Habanera Hal NOV 25, 10:18 PM
longjonsilver NOV 26, 07:47 AM
i'm gonna be watching this one
jon

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Astronomy says we will find a coded signal from outer space. Then we'll KNOW that life exists there, for coded signals aren't by chance.

Biology says there are coded genetic signals in every cell, but we KNOW that no intelligence created life.

I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

Dennis LaGrua NOV 26, 10:49 AM
I believe that most of us will replace the dew wipes only once. I would say make the investment and buy the new ones advertised in the Mall or go to the Fiero store. Saving the glass with new wipes is IMO the best idea.

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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 "

Quad Raider NOV 26, 01:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

I believe that most of us will replace the dew wipes only once. I would say make the investment and buy the new ones advertised in the Mall or go to the Fiero store. Saving the glass with new wipes is IMO the best idea.




I hear you, Dennis, but after buying two separate kits and neither one of them working, I'm a little gun shy. I like the look of these wipes better than the Fiero ones because, in my opinion, they're a better design.

Quad Raider NOV 26, 01:49 PM
Here are brand new outer wipes for $70 a pair. They'd still have to be modified to fit the Fiero, but that seems like a great price to me:

http://www.firebirdcentral....s_Pair_p/wea-115.htm

The Fiero raw material I bought cost $40 for two 4-foot sections, plus shipping which was 15 bucks the first time and 20 the second.

If you follow the link you'll see photos of what the wipes look like. Again, I think it's a better design because there's no channel between the lip and the rubber sweep.

I'll try to get over to the shop this week to cut down one of the salvage yard wipes and take one of my doors apart to see how it fits. Chances are there's some kind of issue that will prevent them from working, but we won't know without a little experimentation.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 11-26-2018).]

Quad Raider NOV 26, 02:28 PM
I also contacted Convertible Specialists to see if they have similar material with a wider lip and they said no.
Dennis LaGrua NOV 26, 09:06 PM

quote
Originally posted by Quad Raider:


I hear you, Dennis, but after buying two separate kits and neither one of them working, I'm a little gun shy. I like the look of these wipes better than the Fiero ones because, in my opinion, they're a better design.



The Fiero Store dew wipes fit perfectly as do the ones formerly made by forum member seajai. If you are buying eBay product it may of may not fit. If you are using old junkyard rubber wipes its just a mater of time before they get brittle, break apart and/or possibly damage your glass. Not telling you what to do but IMO not worth the savings.

------------------
" 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 "

Quad Raider DEC 01, 06:56 PM
I spent some time in the shop this afternoon and the results were positive. As I mentioned, the Firebird/Camaro wipe is much wider than the Fiero wipe.

That's the Fiero wipe on the right:





I discovered GM used at least two different designs for the Firebird/Camaro wipes. One design has the felt inserts like the Fiero's (although there are three of them instead of just two, probably because the wipe is a foot longer than the Fiero's). The other design has the felt as part of the wipe and runs the entire length:



All week I'd been expecting to have to cut the Firebird wipe lengthwise to match the width of the Fiero wipe. I cut the Firebird wipe to length, then test fit it on one my salvage yard doors. There's plenty of room in the door for the wider wipe.

The Firebird wipe is attached to the door with these clips. They pry off easily.

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

Quad Raider DEC 01, 07:03 PM
After cutting two wipes to the correct Fiero length, I then washed them carefully with soapy water. The result is two wipes that are supple and look almost new. I removed my second attempt at a DIY Fiero wipe from my passenger door, transferred the mirror mount over to the Firebird wipe, then test fit it on the Fiero: