How to fix the strip above the windscreen on MK5 hightop?

[Kiwi MAN]

Hi everyone,

Another weekend of tinkering on the 1996 Mk5 high-top campervan.
One job was to remove the broad rubber strip across the top of the windscreen that was not sitting flat. I expected this to have been pushed out by rust and covering some holes, but it's remarkably good underneath.

The rubber strip and the stainless steel insert have cleaned up well and the area above the windscreen and on to the roof are looking good.
But how do I fix the strip back on the van? It was previously held on with sealant - but there seems to be the ancient remains of some screws also, that were not holding anything.

Should I fix it back on with windscreen sealant, double sided tape or are there meant to be clips to attach it?

Thanks,
Mark, Wellington NZ.

[MinorMatt]

There should be a stainless steel "channel" which was rivetted on - clamping the fibreglass between the channel and the steel of the van internal roof.

The rubber strip should sit on this without any sealant etc - but it often needs a little bit of help at the ends.

It sounds like you don't have this?

[Kiwi MAN]

Thanks for the information.

I do have the stainless steel strip, but when I removed the rubber trim, the stainless strip was only held on by sealant.
The small 'nubs' that I found must be the remains of the rivets, but they weren't holding anything.

I'll see if I can get the remains of the rivets out and replace the strip properly with new ones.

Cheers,
Mark,
Wellington, NZ.

[MinorMatt]

Don't try and get the rivets out... you will only damage stuff.

Get the strip off and clean off all the extra sealant - check the fitment of the rubber on the strip and then put the strip back by drilling through it and the fibreglass/steel below and secure using stainless self tapping screws