59BlueSilver

Does anyone know what the correct side window thickness is? Mine seems to fit loose even with the correct glass set tape.

Frankie the Fink

Are you talking about the hardtop plexiglass side windows or your roll-up windows in the doors ?

59BlueSilver

The plexiglass side windows.

Frankie the Fink

I don't know about the side windows....I know the C1 rear windows had a few issues for a while. One member's rear window kept popping out of the upper rubber.

If it were me, I'd call the boys at Glassworks and ask them about it for an expert answer. You don't want to get that thing all together and find out something is wrong.

59BlueSilver

The glass is not date coded and it looks like it was cut out of a larger sheet by Bubba. It fits okay as far as the outer periphery, just the thickness doesn't seem right.

Frankie the Fink

Those hardtops are a PITA to tear down/build up.
I wouldn't even consider installing something that might not be correct - you'll hate yourself later. Talk to Glassworks and find out what's correct. If yours is wrong - get the right thing...don't cheap out now. It'll cost you later on.

59BlueSilver

Good idea, Frankie. As a matter of record, in case someone does a search, I just called Glassworks and they said the thickness is actually .220. Standard industry terminology calls it .25!

Frankie the Fink

I'd put a micrometer at several spots on yours to see what's up now....

59BlueSilver

I just did, measures .180", hence the problem. Don't know the std. terminology, 3/16" maybe?

Kinda funny, making odd thicknesses like that.

fyreline

I think you nailed it with this. Someone just cut themselves a side window out of Home Depot plexiglass. After all, it was a lot cheaper than a NOS or quality repro date-coded piece, so why not?

Now you know why.

62corvette

For many years there was no NOS or reproduction hardtop side windows available, although GM provided rear windows for a very long time. The only way to do anything about crazed side windows was to buy plexiglass and cut it. I did that several times, but at least bought the right thickness (1/4"). I also did that to build the correct "box" in the rear window for access to the filler cap on my Gulf Oil 62. Used MEK to fuse the plexiglass together.

fyreline

. . . So it could be done, and done properly.

Or not.

Pilot Dan

When I did my top a few years back, I found that will happen if you do not in addition to the setting tape also use some of the 3M filler caulk strips. The original and replacement side windows are both 3/16 thick and once you add the filler strips they make up the 1/4 fit to the channel. If you look carefully, they used a soft caulk (sort of yellowish by now) and that needs to be replaced to eliminate the rattles. I used the black stuff for a cleaner look Pilot Dan

59BlueSilver

Great, I'll check on the different caulks.
In investigating plexiglass industry standard thicknesses, .25" can come in from .019 to .250. That's weird. Lumber has a better tolerance than that!