Can you paint the black border on a windshield? | FerrariChat
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Can you paint the black border on a windshield?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by DMaury, May 14, 2008.

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  1. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #1 DMaury, May 14, 2008
    After having the replacement windshield for my 328 sit in my closet for a year, when I go to refit it I finally realize that it doesn't have the black border surrounding the edge of the glass. It's clear all the way to the edges. From all the pictures I've seen of 3x8 windshields, they seem to have the black border. When mine is set in the frame, even with the trim piece back in place, you will be able to see some on the window frame that you shouldn't.

    Now, I've emailed Daniel at Ricambi, and he tells me the ones he has in stock have the black border. Tonight someone suggested that I just tape off and paint the border with a satin finish black paint. I've searched all over the net and can't find any article or paint specifically for painting windshield glass. What I'm worried about is the paint pulling away from the glass as the windshield sealant will be adhering to the paint now, rather than the glass.

    Has anyone ever done this before, or is Daniel shipping me a new windshield? And no, I didn't get the first one from him, but from Maranello Concessionaires.
     
  2. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    Ian Anderson
    #2 Fast_ian, May 15, 2008
    +1

    However, could you paint the inside instead? - The "finish" as you look thru' the glass from the outside would be "perfect" - Any runs (!) and/or imperfections would be on the inside.....

    As to types of paint I'm surprised there's nothing "out there" - My guess would be good old "enamel" would work - But please don't hold me to that :)

    Good luck,

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  3. bert308

    bert308 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2002
    1,776
    Roermond Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Bert Kanters
    #3 bert308, May 15, 2008
    I'm not an expert but I know the black on the inside is a special primer, applied before the windshield is glued in. It makes the glue adhere better. Ask the guy that will be installing your windshield, or you if you're gonna do it yourself you can buy kits with the butil glue and the primer.
    I glued in a windshield in my Lancia and it looks OK and is watertight but I know I can do better next time but for the Ferrari I would probably pay the 200 for professional installment.
     
  4. 328GTB

    328GTB Formula Junior

    Jun 4, 2002
    305
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Carmine
    #4 328GTB, May 15, 2008
    Did you get the glass from Ferrari? My replacement came from FoUK with the black border & the logo on the lower left corner.
     
  5. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #5 DMaury, May 15, 2008
    Maranello Concessionaires. And Daniel at Ricambi was able to eyeball the windshield he has in stock, and it too does not have any black band around the edge.
     
  6. arium

    arium Karting

    Jun 16, 2005
    126
    Port Coquitlam, B.C.
    Full Name:
    Steve H
    #6 arium, May 15, 2008
    I believe that the black band is referred to as frit. It is actually a fired on ceramic at the time of manufacture. It acts as a trim and a primer for the urethane adhesive.

    The Lotus Esprit as an example uses just an applied band of primer on the glass in the quarter windows and this causes an endless source of aggravation as the primer erodes.

    With windshields unless they're gasketed in I'd think they should come with the frit.
    Steve
     
  7. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Nov 18, 2005
    16,918
    Wellington, FL
    Full Name:
    Duane
    #7 GatorFL, May 15, 2008
    No frit? :D
     
  8. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #8 DMaury, May 15, 2008
    Well, I gots no frit on mine! ;)

    Seriously, if you're not supposed to apply it after the fact, how do they expect you to glue in a 328 windshield?
     
  9. arium

    arium Karting

    Jun 16, 2005
    126
    Port Coquitlam, B.C.
    Full Name:
    Steve H
    #9 arium, May 15, 2008
    Modern cars with glued in windshields generally come with this ceramic trim/primer applied to the inside of the shield. Not only does it allow for the sealant to 'bite' but it also hides any variation in application width etc of the adhesive itself. The pinchweld primer is generally used if you've cut through the original urethane into the metal.

    If you are applying a brush on type liquid primer you will certainly get the same masking effect but the area that does not actually bonding with the windshield frame tends to flake off after a period of time. The application as a whole does not have the same durability as the ceramic component and the seal fails.

    I don't think you'll get proper bonding with regular aerosol paint as a mask unless you go with something along the lines of an etching type package.

    No Frit!!!!

    Hope that clears it up.

    Steve
     

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