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Bubble Window Installation Considerations?
#793752 August 02nd 2022 12:02 pm
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 10
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 23
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Howdy all. I have two vintage bubble windows I’ll be installing over the course of the summer, a heart and a teardrop. Despite this being a very common aftermarket modification back in the day, I can find very little information online for how to do it properly.

On the surface it looks straightforward; cut hole, install window, seal with butyl tape.

Clamping the trim ring down tight sounds like a recipe for warping the side panels. To avoid that, I plan to make up shims or spacers to bridge the curvature on the inside with the inner trim ring. For the outside, instead of butyl I’m considering windshield urethane to fill the gaps.

Most importantly, I’ll take a pile of photos to make up some kind of instructional walk-through for other amateurs like myself.

So before I start cutting holes, does anyone have any tips? Installation suggestions? Other considerations? Thanks!

Re: Bubble Window Installation Considerations?
Ed Is Not My Name #793771 August 03rd 2022 12:32 am
Joined: Jul 2019
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I'd reach out to Charlie99909 . Good luck.

Last edited by SDMickey; August 06th 2022 6:28 pm.
Re: Bubble Window Installation Considerations?
Ed Is Not My Name #793785 August 03rd 2022 12:53 pm
Joined: Sep 2019
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The butyl tape is more than enough for the windows. You don't want to glue the ports to the sheet metal so much as make to it water tight. Pick a spot where the curvature isn't too crazy, but some ports have a very slight curve to them, especially the larger ones. You have two smaller ones so it won't affect the curve too much. These weren't a super complex piece of engineering, just meant for the enthusiast to install in their own garage. If you plan to use the inner trim ring to hold onto an interior panel, I would stick some furring strips or foam cut to size against the interior of the sheet metal to keep it from buckling.

Last edited by Charlie99909; August 03rd 2022 12:53 pm.

You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers
This town ain't big enough for the both of us
And it ain't me who's gonna leave
1 member likes this: Ed Is Not My Name
Re: Bubble Window Installation Considerations?
Ed Is Not My Name #793794 August 03rd 2022 3:32 pm
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I will use the same instructions on a roof vent I am replacing in my Dodge


When in doubt..get the sawzall out..
Re: Bubble Window Installation Considerations?
Charlie 99909 #793872 August 05th 2022 11:09 pm
Joined: Jun 2019
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stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 23
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Thanks Charlie, you’re the man.

Neither of my bubbles have any curvature to their frames. I placed the trim ring against the panel to get an idea of what I’m dealing with, and it’s just short of 1/4” gap at the top and bottom. Would stacking a little more butyl tape as it tapers toward top and bottom suffice?

Thanks!

Edit, Photo for reference:

[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]

Last edited by Ed Is Not My Name; August 05th 2022 11:19 pm. Reason: Add photo

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