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Well after taking my 62 for a nice drive Saturday and driving into the sunset for 1/2 an hour I'm thinking it is time to replace the original windshield. The car is a nice car but an older restoration. I put a new top on it a few years ago but the paint is laquer from the 90s that I'm not ready to redo. So what are the best options for windshields? It doesn't look like the easiest thing to have changed. I recall seeing a dealer every year at Carlisle with several c1 windshields and frame but I'm not sure cost or if they were reproduction or rebuilt original frames? Any suggestions are appreciated, if someone has had just the glass changed, approx cost? thanks- Dan
To be done correctly, the windshield and frame have to come off the car. The frame comes apart on your bench to gain access to the glass. I've done it and it's not an easy job.
I've heard that glass shops will attempt to change the glass without removing the frame from the car. In doing it this way, they often break off important bolt tabs at the bottoms of the side uprights. Besides just being wrong, if those tabs are not intact, fastening the softtop header latches can often pull the top of the frame away from the glass.
Are you sure you need to replace that original windshield?
Are you sure you need to replace that original windshield?
Well it has a lot of sandblast to it, doesn't seem that bad until you drive into the sun and then it becomes an issue. But hey at least when I finally see that car stopped in front of me, c1's are known for their excellent brakes.
Last edited by 68sixspeed; Jul 9, 2020 at 02:46 PM.
Take the windshield and frame off as one piece. Ditto on the help you will need it to take off the windshield assembly from the body. Next send off the posts to get refinished. The header and lower moulding needs to go to a polisher. Get the tabs fixed by corvette central. Its worth it. Now, the windshield some are thinner and some of the weatherstripping will not fit right. Clean up the channels so that its not going to be a problem when you reassemble the frame on the bench. I would buy new hardware if any of it looks wrong or not able to reuse it. Its not that bad but you might want a glass shop to do the work if you are afraid you are going to crack it. Then just reinstall the entire assembly.
I took mine all the way apart for a new gasket and new windshield posts about 4 years ago and regret not replacing the glass then. Tons of labor for sure, go slow and it can be done as a DIY if you're ambitious.
I agree with Jim's question. Obviously in your photo that W/S looks new, but I'm sure it's not, but if its not cracked, why take a chance on damaging a beautiful paint job?
I agree with Jim's question. Obviously in your photo that W/S looks new, but I'm sure it's not, but if its not cracked, why take a chance on damaging a beautiful paint job?
correct no cracks or major problems, just a ton of tiny pits from sand etc. Looks fine with the sun to your back, but drive it into the sun or at night with headlights coming at you and its another story. Anyone have any luck with polishing with an eastwood glass restoration kit or I'm thinking that wouldn't do much for pits. (or could cause distortion) thanks for the suggestions so far, worst case I'll make it a winter project.
Mine is the same way, driving into the sun is baaad ! I keep putting it off and even have all the parts to do it. Did one a couple months ago and had to get my neighbor to help with the ends. Ya GOT to take your time doing it. There's a great step by step write up on the forum that I used. Good luck.
Last edited by Pop Chevy; Jul 9, 2020 at 05:39 PM.
correct no cracks or major problems, just a ton of tiny pits from sand etc. Looks fine with the sun to your back, but drive it into the sun or at night with headlights coming at you and its another story. Anyone have any luck with polishing with an eastwood glass restoration kit or I'm thinking that wouldn't do much for pits. (or could cause distortion) thanks for the suggestions so far, worst case I'll make it a winter project.
I've tried the Eastwood kit and did not work well for me. Maybe someone else can get better results. All the new windshields are a lot thinner then original which means gasket will not fit correctly.
I tried to do one myself. Was able to remove the windshield from the body, not to difficult. Disassembled everything, got it all cleaned up. My glass was like new but the weatherstrip was dry rotted. Bought new weatherstrip and tried for days to get the lower channel to seat onto the new rubber. Long story short CRACKED the glass, and had Glassworks /The Hardtop shop replace it. It came out beautiful. I can highly recommend them..
Just my opinion but wait till you want to repaint. A good paint job will have the windshield and most everything else off, why do this twice. It is a DYI project if you take your time and talk to a few people who have already done it!
Be careful as this operation turns into "CREEP" real fast!
Special tools needed
7/16 and a 1/2 inch 1/4" drive "wiggle joint sockets"
Patience and perseverance and determination nothing to it
Don't take it to a shop IF they will not remove the windshield from the car
as stated above they will cause you more trouble
A side note when you have new glass have the inside ceramic coated tinted
Refinish and replace all the rubber and good for another 50+ years
Your insurance may cover this. Call them and ask. There's usually not a deductible for glass. Your insurance company doesn't want you driving around with impaired visibility.
Don't let a glass company do this job. A C-1 Corvette place has to do it. There's a few tricky items that the usual glass place won't know. There's also a huge learning curve for this job. The usual glass place won't be up on that curve.
Thanks all, I'll probably let it slide to be a winter project or maybe pull it then and ship it to Glassworks (or drive the 8+hr). Also some good stuff to look at if I go to Carlisle... thx Dan
Just my opinion but wait till you want to repaint. A good paint job will have the windshield and most everything else off, why do this twice. It is a DYI project if you take your time and talk to a few people who have already done it!
You certainly don't need another opinion, everyone above has good points.
If you think seriously that you will paint this car during your stewardship than wait until then. Sure it would be nice to see clearly while driving into the sun but that is really the only time the problem is one.
An original windshield that is otherwise crack free and not delaminating adds character in my view.
If I had it apart for paint I would change the glass because new glass goes with new paint. Patina glass goes better with older paint.
But I understand the frustration. I have 9 old cars. Each has a wart somewhere I'd like to get rid of...
Dan
Last edited by dplotkin; Jul 10, 2020 at 02:03 PM.
62 windshield replacement
