How to remove windscreen
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 114
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From: Gold Coast Qld
How to remove windscreen
I am replacing my windscreen, the old one is cracked. I have removed all of the chrome trim. What is the best way to get the screen out from this point. I would like to keep it as it is the original, even though it is cracked.
The birdcage is in excellent condition so far, I will know more when the screen is out, but the rest of the car has virtually no rust and that really surprised me as the car was originally from Minesota. I will start to post some pics as I build this car, nothing fancy, just a good reliable clean car.
The birdcage is in excellent condition so far, I will know more when the screen is out, but the rest of the car has virtually no rust and that really surprised me as the car was originally from Minesota. I will start to post some pics as I build this car, nothing fancy, just a good reliable clean car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
I just replace mine on my 68
you have two choices
1. BFH- smash glass clean up mess and clean out old buytal (sp) from window channel
2. get some fresh razon blades, and good blade holder and go all the way round the windshield breaking teh old buytl seal, you will also have to do this inside the car along the front edge of the dash, be carefull not to mess it up.
once you get the old stuff starting to break free, begin pushin on the winshield from the inside till it separates from the windshield frame.
now when it comes to the wipers, you cvan open the wipere door, and tape the wipres to the door in the open position, that will keep you from having to take the wipers off and deal with that pain in the ***.....
then its just a matter of cleanign and prepping the windshield frame for the new on e
tim
you have two choices
1. BFH- smash glass clean up mess and clean out old buytal (sp) from window channel
2. get some fresh razon blades, and good blade holder and go all the way round the windshield breaking teh old buytl seal, you will also have to do this inside the car along the front edge of the dash, be carefull not to mess it up.
once you get the old stuff starting to break free, begin pushin on the winshield from the inside till it separates from the windshield frame.
now when it comes to the wipers, you cvan open the wipere door, and tape the wipres to the door in the open position, that will keep you from having to take the wipers off and deal with that pain in the ***.....
then its just a matter of cleanign and prepping the windshield frame for the new on e
tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
you can also use a stiff piece of wire to "saw" thru the sealant. i used a piece of mig welding wire. it can be pushed thru the sealant -i started on the lower left corner- and then held with heavy leather gloves and sawed. the wire broke a few times but i just started with a new piece. keep the wire towards the metal. it only takes about 10 minutes, and the glass will just lift out. easy job.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The pros use piano wire - one inside the car, one outside - and "saw" through the sealant.
Got an automotive glass shop near you? This may be a job better left to the pros. They'll be three times quicker than you and you can expect professional results. Some of these outfits will come to your house and complete the task.
Got an automotive glass shop near you? This may be a job better left to the pros. They'll be three times quicker than you and you can expect professional results. Some of these outfits will come to your house and complete the task.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
The pros use piano wire - one inside the car, one outside - and "saw" through the sealant.
Got an automotive glass shop near you? This may be a job better left to the pros. They'll be three times quicker than you and you can expect professional results. Some of these outfits will come to your house and complete the task.
Got an automotive glass shop near you? This may be a job better left to the pros. They'll be three times quicker than you and you can expect professional results. Some of these outfits will come to your house and complete the task.
Pros, hobbiests, ive done it both ways......and these "pro's" dont always know how to deal witht he old style steel moldings, so be carefull and shop around before you commit, also the pros wont always be willing to help if there should be some issue with rust on the windshield frame with the older cars....caveat emptor my friend
the only challenge with the piano wire is when you get to the base of the windshield. the vette unlike other cars has the odd shape (Lip) at the base, and the seal runs in a straight line (doesnt follow the lip) as well as the wiper door issue on older models. this is where you need a littel extra finesse ( or if you dont mind break the windshield )
There is also a paddle attachment that fits on a sawsall, and works very well in this case
lastly, if you are going to use a silicone sealant, be sure to clean and prep the windshiled, as well as prep the frame with a rust preventative that the silicone will stick to, other wise you could loose the whole thing on a good bounce at worst and leak like a siev at best
cheers
tim
Last edited by sweethence; May 16, 2007 at 08:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Gold Coast Qld
So far in my disassembly with the car there has been no rust discovered. I pulled the #2 body mounts to check them and there was only minor surface rust there. A simple clean and repaint was all that was needed.
The top of the birdcage is in excellent condition. The trim came off easily enough, even the screws holding the end pieces in were not rusted.
I will pull the screen today myself. I hate having people come here. I have plenty of guitar strings around (I am a guitar maker) that will do the job as described. Thanks again for all your helpful advice.
Jeremy
The top of the birdcage is in excellent condition. The trim came off easily enough, even the screws holding the end pieces in were not rusted.
I will pull the screen today myself. I hate having people come here. I have plenty of guitar strings around (I am a guitar maker) that will do the job as described. Thanks again for all your helpful advice.
Jeremy
