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MG TD TF 1500 - Windscreen glass to frame seal

Of all the jobs so far on my TD rebuild the one that has given me the most trouble is installing the glass in the windscreen frame. I had the frame parts replated and a new piece of glass cut using the old for a pattern. I could not get it together. Even with four hands I couldn't get the glass and seal far enough into the frame. I finally decided the seal was too thick or too stiff or both.
I had been using the Moss seal (280-300) so I ordered one from Abingdon Spares and one from From the Frame Up to see if there was any difference. There was a difference and I was able to get it assembled by myself without too much trouble using the FTFU seal (RU-224). It was slightly thinner than the Moss but more importantly it was not as stiff. The AS seal (63-078) was about the same thickness as the Moss and a lot stiffer. It also seems to be a completely different material. It has a peel and stick side which I presume you are to stick to the glass to aid assembly.
The photo shows a comparison of the seals demonstrating the stiffness. I let them sit over night in this position to see how they would compare. The FTFU is in front and the AS is in back.

B Mooney

If you set the glass in black silicone sealant the job is easy (can be messy though). The cost of a tube of silicone in the UK is only about £3. When set the frame will be rigid and no clamps or belt straps are needed. If the frame is lightly oiled there is no problem removing the glass if ever necessary. I know first hand having grandchildren who play with hard balls.

Jan T
J Targosz

When I did mine, I found the Moss packing to be just the right size.
The Abingdon was too thick however.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

I used the one from MOSS about 6 years ago. I used a heat gun to soften it as I installed each side.
M Grogan

I didn't have an issue with the Moss material

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W. A. Chasser

I also used the Moss seal with no issues. PJ
Paul161

My recommendation after attempting to use two different thicknesses of rubber, one of which came from Moss, the other from Clark Rubber, is to use black polyurethane windscreen sealant. This allows plenty of room within the frame to manoeuvre the wiper cable & allows more clearance for the 2BA machine screws. Also there is zero chance of stressing the glass. I also painted the edge of the glass & about 1/2" of each face adjacent to the edge with satin black so that the glass appears to be encased in rubber. This is detailed in an archived thread however I couldn't find it. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Keep in mind that the original glass was 1/4". FTFU sells this glass today and therefore their seals are probably set for that size glass.

Moss and AS are selling you a seal for the metric equivalent windshield which is a bit thinner than 1/4" so the seals are thicker to make up for that.

If you go anywhere in the US for a flat windshield glass today, I doubt you will find it's actually 1/4" even though they will tell you it is.
Christopher Couper


When I redid mine, my daughters, then boyfriend now ex boyfriend, obtained and cut the glass for me. He had formally worked as an auto-glass installer. He was aware of the 1/4" vs metric issue and was able to obtain a sheet of fractional thickness. It was not an Issue for him.
The Moss rubber worked well.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

This thread was discussed between 19/10/2016 and 21/10/2016

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