Windshield install?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Windshield install?
A couple years ago I had to have a new windshield installed in my 82 and when the did the upper windshield trim never fit right. There was a gap and has bugged me ever since so tomorrow I'm having a glass company come out to remove it so I can replace the trim clips and just to inspect. Now I have looked in the AIM and they show a foam insert or something?? So my question is what is the correct procedure? The lady on the phone told me they can either use butyl caulk or the regular adhesive which is what is on there now. What do you use to get the windshield to sit high enough so the trim sits flush with the glass?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi alc,
The original installation of the glass held it away from the windshield frame a certain distance. This insured there would enough adjustment in the trim (there's only a little bit) to have the trim be snug against the glass. The original installation made use of a firm foam 'damming strip' which acted as a spacer around the entire perimeter of the glass.
The gap should allow only a single piece of paper to be slid between the glass and trim.
I recommend dry fitting the glass and trim first to establish what the distance between the glass and frame should be.
Regular glass installers don't want the hassle so you see cars around with horrible gaps.
Regards,
Alan
The original installation of the glass held it away from the windshield frame a certain distance. This insured there would enough adjustment in the trim (there's only a little bit) to have the trim be snug against the glass. The original installation made use of a firm foam 'damming strip' which acted as a spacer around the entire perimeter of the glass.
The gap should allow only a single piece of paper to be slid between the glass and trim.
I recommend dry fitting the glass and trim first to establish what the distance between the glass and frame should be.
Regular glass installers don't want the hassle so you see cars around with horrible gaps.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 30, 2015 at 08:35 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
A couple years ago I had to have a new windshield installed in my 82 and when the did the upper windshield trim never fit right. There was a gap and has bugged me ever since so tomorrow I'm having a glass company come out to remove it so I can replace the trim clips and just to inspect. Now I have looked in the AIM and they show a foam insert or something?? So my question is what is the correct procedure? The lady on the phone told me they can either use butyl caulk or the regular adhesive which is what is on there now. What do you use to get the windshield to sit high enough so the trim sits flush with the glass?
Hope it helps
Tim
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...indshield.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
thread he will get a good understanding how to do it but make sure he understands the end results to to have the trim laying on the glass with no gap. If you are using new glass he will need to use 3/8 damming strip to get the gap you are looking for if you are going to use the damming strip method. In the Thread you will find a process that willcox uses not using damming strips.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Here is a picture on how it is now.
Now should the trim be flush with the chrome t-top trim? See how it's below it, I don't know if that's correct or not? And you can see the gap underneath the trim as well.
Now should the trim be flush with the chrome t-top trim? See how it's below it, I don't know if that's correct or not? And you can see the gap underneath the trim as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
If he watches the Video on the the
thread he will get a good understanding how to do it but make sure he understands the end results to to have the trim laying on the glass with no gap. If you are using new glass he will need to use 3/8 damming strip to get the gap you are looking for if you are going to use the damming strip method. In the Thread you will find a process that willcox uses not using damming strips.
Good Luck
thread he will get a good understanding how to do it but make sure he understands the end results to to have the trim laying on the glass with no gap. If you are using new glass he will need to use 3/8 damming strip to get the gap you are looking for if you are going to use the damming strip method. In the Thread you will find a process that willcox uses not using damming strips.
Good Luck
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi alc,
That's not a typical fit.
It's not possible to determine what the problem is from one picture.
My bet would be that the long thin piece of ss trim isn't installed behind the clips as it should be, but rather is in front of the clips which has pushed it forward and down.
It's also possible that the large piece of ss trim isn't clipped down over the edge of the windshield header properly and is thus to high and won't let the small piece seat properly.
It also could be…… anyones guess from one picture.
You won't know for sure until you begin to take the trim off.
Your installer likely won't be happy because he's used to installing present day glass with often no trim for him to have to worry about.
Regards,
Alan
That's not a typical fit.
It's not possible to determine what the problem is from one picture.
My bet would be that the long thin piece of ss trim isn't installed behind the clips as it should be, but rather is in front of the clips which has pushed it forward and down.
It's also possible that the large piece of ss trim isn't clipped down over the edge of the windshield header properly and is thus to high and won't let the small piece seat properly.
It also could be…… anyones guess from one picture.
You won't know for sure until you begin to take the trim off.
Your installer likely won't be happy because he's used to installing present day glass with often no trim for him to have to worry about.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 30, 2015 at 05:53 PM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Well the glass is out and the car was missing two clips and had a couple broken. The ss trim was clipped over the edge so that's good. I asked the installer several questions and he had a dumbfound look on his face. I'm tempted to install the glass myself... Now a new problem has arisen, I took liberty to do a through clean up job scraping cutting the old adhesive and butyl away but in doing so I broke off the edge of the dash pad. So now do I replace the pad since the windshield is out (looks easier) or glue the piece back on if that's even possible????
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
Well the glass is out and the car was missing two clips and had a couple broken. The ss trim was clipped over the edge so that's good. I asked the installer several questions and he had a dumbfound look on his face. I'm tempted to install the glass myself... Now a new problem has arisen, I took liberty to do a through clean up job scraping cutting the old adhesive and butyl away but in doing so I broke off the edge of the dash pad. So now do I replace the pad since the windshield is out (looks easier) or glue the piece back on if that's even possible????
If you need a few trim clips I have a bunch of extras... Let me know..
Originally i was going to have a installer do mine glass Insulation but could not find anyone that would assure me that the trim would lay on the glass.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Ouch on the dash pad.. The only reason I have not finished putting my Windshield in is I have not purchase the dash pad yet. After reading threads on installing the pad it seems a good idea to do this while windshield is out.
If you need a few trim clips I have a bunch of extras... Let me know..
Originally i was going to have a installer do mine glass Insulation but could not find anyone that would assure me that the trim would lay on the glass.
If you need a few trim clips I have a bunch of extras... Let me know..
Originally i was going to have a installer do mine glass Insulation but could not find anyone that would assure me that the trim would lay on the glass.
