When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm about to install a new windshield and have a couple of questions for anyone who has done this before.
1. should I re-install the windshield trims before or after the glue has dried?
2. what is the advantage of putting the damming tape and glue on the windshield rather than on the frame?
number 1. take a lot of measurements all around the windshield as per height. BEFORE removing original glass. then take many measures on install making certain the new slightly thinner than original glass is at the correct height. I found 3/8th's damming foam got me right there. but do your own measurements. A dry run or 2 without glue is a very good idea. wait till glue sets up. then start installing trim.
Number 2. never heard of it done any way other than foam and glue applied to frame, glass set into place.
Last edited by 4-vettes; May 18, 2021 at 05:02 AM.
That's interesting, all the stuff I've seen says put the windshield in place, mark the edge of the frame on the glass, then put the tape on this line and the glue round the outside of the glass. The reason I asked is that talking to a windshield fitter, he said he would prefer to put the tape and glue on the frame.
On the first question I think the side trims are going to be quite a tight fit, so wondered if it might be a good idea to get them on whilst the glue is still wet so it can compress a little if needed. on the other hand I don't want it compressing too much!
generally, with the new glass, the side trims and upper moulding is anything but tight. the newer glass is thinner than the old. thus take a lot of height measurements beforehand. I seen a good you tube Vid of a guy putting a windshield in a C3. he test fit it twice. he also ended up with 3/8th's damming foam.
And I have no clue what you have been reading. Never in my life have I ever heard of putting the glue on the windshield. NEVER. Your installer most likely has put in more windshields than both of us. listen to him.
As per dry fitting and marking the glass. yes some do this. but that's so you put the mark on the foam thats glued to the frame. it's for alignment not to glue the foam to. C3s are not difficult in that matter. your looking for an even gap at both sides.
Last edited by 4-vettes; May 18, 2021 at 06:31 AM.
New windshield, Jan 2020. Glue drying.
all mouldings installed, after the glue set, perfect fit. tons of measurements and I did set the side trims on lightly to check fit right after windshield was set down just as a double check. But don't press down. once down. there's no coming back up!
the one thing you do not do is call a glass place. they will come out and reassure you it will be at the correct height. then they will do 1 squirt of urethane and drop the glass in...1/4 inch too deep. there are 2 schools of thought on dam tape n urethane on the car or the glass. i guess they both work. i think it is more forgiving to do the tape on the car, not the glass.
Foam dam and urethane on glass is very European. It works with a two man set. One shot...You get good straight edges and lines. But you have to account for the VIN *** cut out. The sides don’t have much room for error; width wise.
I test fit and get your side to side distance marked. Then you can determine how much A-pillar needs to be covered. And the VIN tag location. Then make a good straight line with the glass, pinch weld primer. Looks like modern car silkscreen. And gives the urethane the best adhesion on the glass.
High viscosity urethane will hold the shield high enough to skip the foam dam. Hard to hand pump but the end result is as good. Put the mounlding on before the urethane sets. If you wait and the glass is too high, you may have a hard time clipping in the mouldings.
Well my screen is now on. I used 3/8 damming strip and the glue both on the windshield. I did use a windshield replacement firm but the fitter was perfectly happy to do things how I wanted and for me to help him with the job. At first he thought we should put the tape and glass on the frame, but then realised he couldn't fit his glue gun into the bottom corner of the frame, hence we put them on the screen. Decided to put in the top trim whilst the glue was still wet and that worked fine.
They also sell rubber blocks in various heights which I've used many times (skip the foam dam). The blocks can be cut down to any size ...I always make them small. A glass shop would have them. You test fit the height of the glass with the right thickness of blocks you need, leave them in place (not in the urethane path). Then apply adhesive on the frame ...install windshield.
Another tip: if the glass tops are on your car, NEVER slam the door closed after you're done. It'll create a blow-out hole in the soft urethane. Roll your side glass down a couple inches before you start to be safe.
windshield installation
