69 windshield questions
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
It's actually polished stainless steel. You really want to ask whether your installer has any experience installing these windshields. If he lays too much adhesive down, the windshield could be a bit too proud of the frame and the trim will no longer fit correctly.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
on the C3 it is extremely important to install windshield at proper height, or your trim will fit like crap. most young installers now know nothing about this.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
I took the wiper door off and the wiper arm off. You might be able to do it without but I would think you would have a hard time cleaning the old sealer off and ensuring your new seal is good if you didn't. It's not hard to remove any of this stuff, although it took a post on here to find the trick to release the wiper arms.
The windshield trim (which is actually stainless steel) can be removed and replaced by whomever. I would remove and install yourself to make sure it didn't get bent. Some of the clips that hold the trim will likely need to be replaced after you remove the old glass and before you install the new glass. Your installer isn't likely to have the correct ones on hand. You can't install new clips after the new glass is in, and you can't remove the old ones with the old glass in.
You might consider doing this job yourself because the new glass is thinner than the original so it'll take some trial and error to get the seal thickness correct so you don't have a gap between the ss trim and the glass. Most installers won't have the patience for that. The guy who does glass work on my company trucks and DDs wanted $100 to remove the windshield! I bought the tools for ~$30 at Horror Freight, 2 suction cups and the wire/handles. My son and I had it out in less than 10 minutes after the trim was removed. I set the glass aside and got everything cleaned up then made sure that any bare metal was well-coated. Before you remove the old glass, you'll want to index the glass to the windshield frame so you can get in the ballpark for seal thickness when you reset the new glass, assuming the existing trim and glass has a good fit.
The windshield trim (which is actually stainless steel) can be removed and replaced by whomever. I would remove and install yourself to make sure it didn't get bent. Some of the clips that hold the trim will likely need to be replaced after you remove the old glass and before you install the new glass. Your installer isn't likely to have the correct ones on hand. You can't install new clips after the new glass is in, and you can't remove the old ones with the old glass in.
You might consider doing this job yourself because the new glass is thinner than the original so it'll take some trial and error to get the seal thickness correct so you don't have a gap between the ss trim and the glass. Most installers won't have the patience for that. The guy who does glass work on my company trucks and DDs wanted $100 to remove the windshield! I bought the tools for ~$30 at Horror Freight, 2 suction cups and the wire/handles. My son and I had it out in less than 10 minutes after the trim was removed. I set the glass aside and got everything cleaned up then made sure that any bare metal was well-coated. Before you remove the old glass, you'll want to index the glass to the windshield frame so you can get in the ballpark for seal thickness when you reset the new glass, assuming the existing trim and glass has a good fit.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Something to bear in mind is that originally the windshield was held off the windshield frame by a foam rubber 'damming strip'.
Very few installers use the damming strip so if the glass is to end up the right distance from the frame, spacers of some sort are often used.
Once the glass is finally set it's too late to do anything about poor fitting ss trim.
Have a plan before beginning!
Regards,
Alan
A section through the windshield header.
Something to bear in mind is that originally the windshield was held off the windshield frame by a foam rubber 'damming strip'.
Very few installers use the damming strip so if the glass is to end up the right distance from the frame, spacers of some sort are often used.
Once the glass is finally set it's too late to do anything about poor fitting ss trim.
Have a plan before beginning!
Regards,
Alan
A section through the windshield header.
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 7, 2017 at 04:53 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 164
From: Broadview hts Ohio
I agree with Alan. You need to use the spacers and dry fit the WS and trim 1st. Once the depth is correct place the seal and install the WS.
Also, easier with wiper door open and wiper arms removed.
Joe
Also, easier with wiper door open and wiper arms removed.
Joe
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
My suggestion to you is to go read the post I made in this thread. I'm very familar with the installation of a C3 windshield.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...indshield.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...indshield.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 6
Hi,
Something to bear in mind is that originally the windshield was held off the windshield frame by a foam rubber 'damming strip'.
Very few installers use the damming strip so if the glass is to end up the right distance from the frame, spacers of some sort are often used.
Once the glass is finally set it's too late to do anything about poor fitting ss trim.
Have a plan before beginning!
Regards,
Alan
A section through the windshield header.
Something to bear in mind is that originally the windshield was held off the windshield frame by a foam rubber 'damming strip'.
Very few installers use the damming strip so if the glass is to end up the right distance from the frame, spacers of some sort are often used.
Once the glass is finally set it's too late to do anything about poor fitting ss trim.
Have a plan before beginning!
Regards,
Alan
A section through the windshield header.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi mft,
I think I'd begin by making a visit to Lakeside to talk to them about how they do this work.
I believe that you can get an adea of their competence and experience by asking the right questions (without being a jerk about it) and listening to what the answers are.
Putting a windshield in a 68-72 is NOTHING like the replacements the installer is doing on a daily basis.
Regards,
Alan
I think I'd begin by making a visit to Lakeside to talk to them about how they do this work.
I believe that you can get an adea of their competence and experience by asking the right questions (without being a jerk about it) and listening to what the answers are.
Putting a windshield in a 68-72 is NOTHING like the replacements the installer is doing on a daily basis.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 6
Hi mft,
I think I'd begin by making a visit to Lakeside to talk to them about how they do this work.
I believe that you can get an adea of their competence and experience by asking the right questions (without being a jerk about it) and listening to what the answers are.
Putting a windshield in a 68-72 is NOTHING like the replacements the installer is doing on a daily basis.
Regards,
Alan
I think I'd begin by making a visit to Lakeside to talk to them about how they do this work.
I believe that you can get an adea of their competence and experience by asking the right questions (without being a jerk about it) and listening to what the answers are.
Putting a windshield in a 68-72 is NOTHING like the replacements the installer is doing on a daily basis.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mft,
I can understand him wanting the wiper door off.
It certainly gives much improved access to the bottom of the glass.
Probably helps in getting the old glass out, prepping the frame for the new glass, and putting the new glass in place.
Regards,
Alan
I can understand him wanting the wiper door off.
It certainly gives much improved access to the bottom of the glass.
Probably helps in getting the old glass out, prepping the frame for the new glass, and putting the new glass in place.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 6
That picture says it all, your the best. Thanks