Does any one know any one that is making the white rubber tips for the windshield rods that are on the late 09-12's? Also, where can I go to find something that will work.

Pete-
Don't tell anyone, but I got mine at Home Depot.


: ^ )

Keith

Interesting I have never herd or seen this before is this a US thing or did they do this on all T's

Keith, Are they rubber or plastic? I had a set of white rubber ones. They deteriorated. I went to Home depot and found a set of plastic ones. The judges on Saturday did not like them.
Colin, All T's that had the rod coming down like Keith's photo had them.

Keith, are they rubber or plastic? I had a set of white rubber ones. They deteriorated. I went to Home depot and found a set of plastic ones. The judges on Saturday did not like them.
Colin, All T's that had the rod coming down like Keith's photo had them.

Try going to your local medical supply or even a drug store and look though their cane tips. They are most always rubber.

Google white rubber cane tips / ferrules and
turn or sand them down . I know Ace hardware
carries the 1/2 ID white rubber ones. Art stores
use them on little tripods and get as small as 1/4
ID.

Pete-
I believe they are plastic.

You might get a can of white Plasti-Dip Synthetic rubber coating and coat the outsides of them. Maybe that will satisfy the judges.

: ^ )

Crutch tips sold in medical supply places have 5/8" diameter ones in white and black. You will have to put them on the end of something 5/8" diameter so you can chuck them up in something that spins and hold a file or sandpaper against them to remove the ribs. I believe originals were most likely white since these began way before carbon was added to rubber formulas in tires and things. That is how I made the first ones after I found the item listed on the windshield bill of materials.

Hey John,....I haft' say, a "proper" crutch tip, whether white, black or brown, really would look better than a lime green tennis ball jammed onto the bottom of your windshield support rods! Ha,ha,.....harold ( ; ^ )

Who were the judges? AACA, HCCA, MTFCA, MTFCI or locals? You always did well with them b4.

BTW Pete, I am now a Gold Card Judge, so you had better watch out in Auburn! LOL LOL

Will, It was AACA judges. THe judges did not pick up on it. The team captain
came to me after the judging and told me that he noticed them. I will be right in Auburn!!!!
Looking forward to seeing you.

Pete-
I know you don't have your fore-doors on your car, but do you have them finished and on display along with your side curtains, tools and tire pump?

I means it's one thing to have plastic caps instead of rubber caps on the windshield support rods, but another to have a car on display for judging with missing parts...

*wink*

; ^ )

-Mr. Fore-door

What is the ID of the rubber tip and the OD of the rod?

Go to ebay (www.ebay.com) and type "white rubber tip" into the search box. 766 items will appear. Jim Patrick

Thank you Jim. The OD of the rod is 5/8. I am looking on ebay. Most seem to be plastic or vinyl.

Rubber furniture tips are tapered so you would need to turn them down on a lathe. The vinyl caps are straight.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-5-8-in-Off-White-Rubber-Leg-Tips-4-per-Pack- 49118/203661014

Hardware stores also carry them, sometimes under their house brand name (Ace, Truevalue, etc.):

Rubber -
http://www.truevalue.com/product/4-Pack-5-8-Inch-Rubber-Leg-Tips/12038.uts?keywo rd=5/8%20leg%20tip

Vinyl -
http://www.truevalue.com/product/4-Pack-5-8-Inch-White-Vinyl-Leg-Tips/12053.uts? keyword=5/8%20leg%20tip

eBay:

Vinyl
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-White-Push-On-Pliable-Vinyl-Caps-Fits-5-8-Rod-Rubber- End-Caps-/261411129885

Gray rubber:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-ea-5-8-Gray-Rubber-Tips-Quad-Canes-Chair-Legs-/330389 214350?hash=item4cecbb548e:m:mF9I28GhCSF-abuYplsMb6Q

Erik, True-value Vinyl ones look right. Maybe someone would have them in off white rubber. The taper looks good also.

For a more realistic rubber look, I would try scuffing up the vinyl tips with sandpaper and then give them a coat of flat white spray paint.

You guys better quit picking on Ole' Pete, you're gonna give him a complex and he may have to find a good shrink!

Try www.mcmaster.com. Type "rubber tip" in search box. As Purchasing Director for a railcar repair company for 37 years, this was always my go to place for most items we needed. Next day delivery. Get one of their catalogs. Its' a good 2 1/2" to 3" thick. Jim Patrick

Here you go - the common sizes are typically available at the hardware store:

Rubber tips
http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-tips/=12kwvrg

Rubber caps
http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-caps/=12kwwa4

Vinyl caps - includes white
http://www.mcmaster.com/#vinyl-caps/=12kwwoi

I made Pete his rubber tips, as John Regan suggested. Put them on a piece of 5/8 shaft and sanded them down with 50 grit emery cloth the 320 for the final finish. Ran the lathe at 1400 rpm, was a piece of cake!

Original package

i used 1/2" cpvc pipe caps. sanded the mold line smooth and a coat of flat white paint. perfect fit on the rods.

Stuart, the only problem is if your having your car judged, it's supposed to be rubber & that has an obvious different feel to it. Most folks have been getting by with white vinyl caps, but that is not authentic either. If your a purist only authentic will do!

Thanks Bob, They look nice. Things like this is why the forum is so good for the hobby.

OK Pete...... now get those embarrassing vinyl caps off those windshield rods!

Bob:

Yes that is what mine looked like. Thanks for posting the details on speed and method since I made mine so long ago that I only remember that the RPM was pretty fast.

Please paint them Black!

Dan, The ones in that picture are the white rubber ones that John Regan made for me back in 1995. They bit the dust a couple of years ago. That is when I went to the vinyl ones!! See you in NY.