Body / Glass: '39 Rear/Quarter Vent window rubber

[george k smith]

I know this isn't a "new" topic but, someone out there has put new rubber seals into their rear quarter vent windows. I've seen them.
What has been used for this replacement? I find that no one is making them so what have others done about this? I've tried using some
Ford seals but they just do not fit right over the metal lip around the window opening in the body. There must be something out there
that can be made to work. Please Help...At wits end!

[Skip Lackie]

Did you try any of the companies that make universal rubber gaskets, like Steele? In many cases, Studebaker used stuff that was commonly available at the time and was used on other makes.

[Jeffry Cassel]

If you can send a cross section of the seal to Restoration Specialties or /and Steele, they are pretty good at trying to find a replacement.

[george k smith]

Thanks for your responses. I have been looking at Steele to try and find something that will work but, it's difficult to tell from their drawings and some of
their parts don't show any dimensioned drawing at all. I do have one seal that I might be able to get a cross section from. I'll give them a call and see what
they say about it. Hadn't thought to try that.

[fh4ever]

Hiya George, are you referring to the commander? If so, I am looking for rear vent seals too. I had some old posts...most likely on the other prewar stude website regarding these seals. However, I cannot find those old posts. There would be some useful information if we could find those old posts...which would include where I had corresponded to the owner of the Stude with the vent window rubber installed. I recall he could not provide any info on where they came from, only some pics where they were installed...and they looked perfect. Perhaps if he reads this, he will chime in.
Another owner said he used Ford seals with some success, but like you stated, its doesn't fit over the lip properly. I had compared mine to a ford (late 30's, need to pin the year down) and the window pivots were in the same place. However, after months have gone by and $100 spent on Ford seals, I must have got the year wrong. The distance between the pivots was too great and would require 2 cuts in the seal.
When I talked to Steele in person a few years ago about making these and I would provide my crusty ones as a pattern, they were not even interested. I had even thought about trying to make a mold from mine.
Also in some of those old posts is where someone loaned another their seals to make the mold and the was never heard from again.
I will continue to look on both sites to to try to track down those old posts.

[fh4ever]

Hiya George. I found a couple of old posts on this , take a look. Contains some info but still no supplier.

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/291632-39-commander-upholstery/#comment-1616381

https://forums.aaca.org/messenger/132540/?tab=comments#comment-166861

you may have to sign in to view the second one.

[george k smith]

Thanks for responding. I am looking for Commander seals. I saw some of those old posts and I've been looking into some other leads. So far nothing new has turned up but, the Studebaker Museum does have the drawings. It is possible that someone could produce/3D print them. Then you could make a mold and pour the rubber to make some new seals. I am exploring that option. Will post any new info.

[enjenjo]

Here is something to look into https://www.wevolver.com/article/3d-print-rubber There are filaments that than produce a material that with further steps can make a rubber-like analog that can be used for seals. If you can get a print of the seal you need it can be printed.

[george k smith]

That's a really interesting article. Thanks for sharing it. I am not well versed in 3D printing technology so this info helps a lot.

[fh4ever]

I never checked for the drawings. Good to hear they are available. Any idea how much the drawings are?
PM sent

[gjamesk]

I never checked for the drawings. Good to hear they are available. Any idea how much the drawings are?
PM sent

It depends on the size. I purchased prints of a bellhousing drawing, and it was a full scale print and was fairly expensive. Contact Andy Beckman at the Studebaker National Museum with the part number and he can fix you up. This is a great resource for us Studebaker folk.

[george k smith]

I ordered the drawings. Cost $85.

[george k smith]

Update on the rear vent window seals. I have the Studebaker drawings for the seals and have found someone to convert those drawings into a 3-Dmodel drawing that can be
printed with some type of elastomeric compound with the proper shore rating. The company I talked to is called Xometry. I couldn't get an accurate cost estimate without submitting the 3-D drawing which I don't have yet. However, it sounded like the part would be in the $200 range.

[fh4ever]

I was wondering if you had made any progress. I might could have helped on the 3D model but glad you found someone to do it. I have heard of Xometry thru where I had worked. If it is around $200 each side, that might be too much for me. do they do qty discounts? I had considered drawing the mold pattern and pouring rubber into the mold. keep us updated!!

[george k smith]

I didn't ask about quantity discounts with Xometry. I'm hoping that once the 3D model drawing is complete and I can send it in for an exact quote the price will not be so
high. However, considering that no one is making these I don't have much choice. I expect the process of getting these made and test fitted to be done by some time in June.
Will provide updates. IF all this works maybe the 3D model can be shared with anyone who needs it and they can get seals made for their cars.