Tips on plugging the rear wiper hole?

sbkob2447 · 07-19-2008, 03:51 PM

Okay so I know there's a DIY (I printed it out and followed it) but I'm having problems plugging the hole where the wiper arm stuck out of. I went to Home Depot and got like 5 rubber stoppers ranging from 15/16" to 1 1/18" but none of them fit perfectly where they were wedged in. So I took a fat one and cut a wedge around the tip of it so it'll sit around the body of the hatch door (does that make sense)... but that didn't work out too well either.

I know I could find someone online to buy a cap from from the DIY thread, but I'm trying to get this done cheap and quick. So any tips? Right now it's good enough to get by but it's just a goopy siliconey mess in the inside because i want to make sure the plug doesn't fall out haha

PCH · 07-19-2008, 04:05 PM

There should be more than a few threads here with people showing different style of plugs they came up with. Try reading into older Appearence posts.
I ended up getting a rubber grummet that was close to the diameter and then i pushed a plastic furniture plug into that. So i have a two tone now: black grummet and grey plug that matches TCM color. Made a very tight fit, no silicone needed. Hardware stores with good selection of furniture bits and pieces may have what you need. I think i spent not more than $3

DTRAIN619 · 07-19-2008, 05:58 PM

From back in the day....

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTRAIN619

If you go to Pep Boys and look in there "Help" section you'll find a package with chrome caps in assorted sizes. They don't hold up to the elements so I suggest color-matching it.

I'll see if I still have a pic of the packaging.....

Edit: What do you know? Still got 'em!

Sorry, not the best shots, but it'll give you an idea of what to look for. I also suggest putting some silicone on the inside of the plug - better safe than sorry!

BTW, the biggest plug in the package worked great. It has tabs on the backside that'll hold the plug in place. But for sure paint it first, because it's an interior plug and the chrome will get dull over time.

SAKURA · 07-19-2008, 06:41 PM

she'll prolly paint it green . . . . .

ricksxbox · 07-19-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbkob2447

Okay so I know there's a DIY (I printed it out and followed it) but I'm having problems plugging the hole where the wiper arm stuck out of. I went to Home Depot and got like 5 rubber stoppers ranging from 15/16" to 1 1/18" but none of them fit perfectly where they were wedged in. So I took a fat one and cut a wedge around the tip of it so it'll sit around the body of the hatch door (does that make sense)... but that didn't work out too well either.

I know I could find someone online to buy a cap from from the DIY thread, but I'm trying to get this done cheap and quick. So any tips? Right now it's good enough to get by but it's just a goopy siliconey mess in the inside because i want to make sure the plug doesn't fall out haha

send me a pm with your address and i'll send you a black plastic one that fits with no silacon needed

fatalrainz · 07-19-2008, 08:38 PM

i plan on doing this mod tomorrow any advise on where i can find the plugs in so. Cal mainly san diego area?

PCH · 07-19-2008, 09:06 PM

Do-It-Center may have locations there. They are great for hardware.

sbkob2447 · 07-20-2008, 09:50 AM

thanks everyone - yeah i looked at all the past threads but my question really wasn't answered. i mean i can find plugs to fit in there fine - it's just the actual sealing it/glueing it/making it stay in there where no one can poke it and push it in that i'm worried about. and i'm thinking i have enemies somewhere cuz last week i went outside and the rear hatch of my xB was silly stringed so yeaaaaah i want to make sure that plug is secure lol

shortbus_8 · 07-20-2008, 11:52 AM

TAG YOUR IT LOL

sbkob2447 · 07-20-2008, 06:26 PM

that's not funny!!! i went thru TWO car washes to get that silly string off the back... but that didn't work so i had to get my goo-gone spray out and do it by hand

not cool

TackBradley · 07-20-2008, 06:30 PM

seriously?...it didnt just wash off?

sbkob2447 · 07-20-2008, 06:35 PM

nope... silly string is serious stuff. esp when it's been baking on the car in direct sunlight i'm guessing. i heard its real bad on the paint too so that's why i had to wash it off asap.

macnut · 07-21-2008, 11:36 PM

Silly string is nasty. Did you guys see that video of that kid at the birthday party and he bent down to blow his candles out and someone shot silly string at him... The string burst into flames right on his face! It's flammable so yes, it will screw up paint.

Whoever did that to your car deserves a serious beating.

republicbB · 08-29-2008, 09:36 PM

or go to home depot again and buy a peep hole for ur front door and u will need a 1" pvc pipe to cut down to make a spacer for the inside ring of the peep hole. since its made for a front house door there isnt enough threading to sqeeze down on our thin metal doors..... but the wiper hole is 1" dia so find something that fits

859Toaster · 08-29-2008, 10:18 PM

Hello, 911... yeah its Quagmire... No, a window this time...

GIGGITY!

All this talk about plugs reminded me of Quagmire. No idea why, but thought I'd go uber off topic and share that with you all.

silvertoast · 08-30-2008, 09:20 PM

get the "help" plugs pictured above, take the biggest one and paint to match. apply some black rtv silicon to edge of the hole and the inside edge of the hole, when you put the plug in bend the tabs back all of the way around (their are like 50 of the tabs or more) mine has been in several months now and does not move or leak.

i should mention that i actually bought mine already painted from someone on line but after i received i compared it to the ones i bought at advanced auto/autzone it was exactly the same peice only painted, i could have saved like 10 bux

ok after looking at the picture again i think i exaggerated on the amount of tabs, its like 15 or so, could have swore it was more

morningman · 08-30-2008, 10:20 PM

hell i just got a lock that you put in safe and electrical control panels
and put it in there and it looks like a lock for a tail gate
and also the older ford pickuptruck locks work as well

big_hungry · 09-06-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTRAIN619

From back in the day....

BTW, the biggest plug in the package worked great. It has tabs on the backside that'll hold the plug in place. But for sure paint it first, because it's an interior plug and the chrome will get dull over time.

I don't have a pep boys even remotely close to me. SO i had to settle for Home de pot. I got a plug just like the biggest one in that package and it fit perfect. I used silcone to hold it in and it's worked out great so far.

RavenWulf · 09-06-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_hungry

I don't have a pep boys even remotely close to me. SO i had to settle for Home de pot. I got a plug just like the biggest one in that package and it fit perfect. I used silcone to hold it in and it's worked out great so far.

yeah I did the same thing when I first pulled mine, But I used a rubber O-ring instead... now I have a color camera in there acting as my rear-view mirror

robbiebryan · 09-06-2008, 04:33 PM

why does everyone take off the rear wiper blade?