Windshield frame repairs(pics)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Windshield frame repairs(pics)
After removing my broken windshield I noticed a couple of areas that were rusted pretty bad
(holes)
as well as some significant pitting. I cut out the rusted areas, welded a piece
of flat bar in these
places then fiberglassed over the repaired spots. Once the glass dried I put a thin coat
of bondo across the
entire frame for a good smooth sealing surface. Only took a couple of hours to complete.
Let me know what you think and if any one needs the details for there project let
me know and I can tell you exactly what I did. I put big pictures of the before and
after for clarity. I would recommend "stitching" the weld and not welding everything
at once. The metal is pretty thin and I didn't want to chance distorting it from
the heat.
This shows the worst areas, also note the pitting.
This was after welding and fiberglass was done.
This was after the bondo and a couple coats of rustoleum.
I should also note I used a power wire wheel to remove as much rust as I could see,
sandblasting would be better but the motor was in the car when I did this.
Let me know what you think.
ltlevil
(holes)
as well as some significant pitting. I cut out the rusted areas, welded a pieceof flat bar in these
places then fiberglassed over the repaired spots. Once the glass dried I put a thin coat
of bondo across the
entire frame for a good smooth sealing surface. Only took a couple of hours to complete.
Let me know what you think and if any one needs the details for there project let
me know and I can tell you exactly what I did. I put big pictures of the before and
after for clarity. I would recommend "stitching" the weld and not welding everything
at once. The metal is pretty thin and I didn't want to chance distorting it from
the heat.
This shows the worst areas, also note the pitting.
This was after welding and fiberglass was done.
This was after the bondo and a couple coats of rustoleum.
I should also note I used a power wire wheel to remove as much rust as I could see,
sandblasting would be better but the motor was in the car when I did this.
Let me know what you think.
ltlevil
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
Nice job. I am sure it is very solid but not sure about the fiberglass and bondo. I had todo the same thing when replacing my glass but just worked the metal until fairly flat. The glass adhesive they use is thick like caulking...no need for a perfectly flat surface...only solid.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Originally Posted by carguy4sure
Nice job. I am sure it is very solid but not sure about the fiberglass and bondo. I had todo the same thing when replacing my glass but just worked the metal until fairly flat. The glass adhesive they use is thick like caulking...no need for a perfectly flat surface...only solid.
ltlevil
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
ltlevil...thanks for the compliment!
You are certainly putting a lot of care and attention to detail into your ride. Replacing my windshield was one of the best things I did from a price-value perspective. It still surprises me how cheap it is to have new glass supplied and installed at your home. I did the same as you...pulled the glass on my own so that I could inspect, repair and clean things up. But I did not go to the extent that you did...nice work. Looks like you already had a very solid windshield frame.
From the pics it appears that you have removed most of the interior. Are you also doing the interior?
You are certainly putting a lot of care and attention to detail into your ride. Replacing my windshield was one of the best things I did from a price-value perspective. It still surprises me how cheap it is to have new glass supplied and installed at your home. I did the same as you...pulled the glass on my own so that I could inspect, repair and clean things up. But I did not go to the extent that you did...nice work. Looks like you already had a very solid windshield frame.
From the pics it appears that you have removed most of the interior. Are you also doing the interior?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
ltlevil,
Did you take my project car?? I have the same rust hole where you do!
Nice job on the weld, and repair. I'm going to do the same thing but I'll be able to sand blast since my car is totaly gutted.
SGT Kirk
Did you take my project car?? I have the same rust hole where you do!
Nice job on the weld, and repair. I'm going to do the same thing but I'll be able to sand blast since my car is totaly gutted. SGT Kirk
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Originally Posted by yellow73sb
You could have bought replacement pieces from paragon.
about it than ordering a replacement part that may or may not fit. The replacement
parts may be the way to go for some, I felt in my situation was easier to just fix
what I had.
Originally Posted by carguy4sure
ltlevil...thanks for the compliment!
From the pics it appears that you have removed most of the interior. Are you also doing the interior?
From the pics it appears that you have removed most of the interior. Are you also doing the interior?
gauge to install but haven't decided what gauge, probably trans temp. I also put
in aftermarket speedo and tach. Have new carpet to install, and have finished
with glasssing the floor boards and putting the heat barrier stuff in. I'm more concerned
with the functionability of things on the car, I know it will never be a show car
but I would like it to be presentable. Here's apic of the gauges before the final
assembly of the dash.
Kirk you can but the replacement pieces as mentioned above but it really is a pretty simple fix.
Thanks
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
You did a nice job of repairing the hole in the windshield frame. I don't want to rain on the parade, but if you really want to keep the frame from rusing again :
Strip it down to the bare metal again.
Coat it with POR-15, Rust Bullet or Rust Encapsulator.
Skip the Bondo.
Mount the new windshield.
I wouldn't want Bondo between the glass and the metal since Bondo can break off in pieces if it's too thick. The windhield adds some structural strength to the birdcage, however slight, so it should be bonded as firmly as possible.
There may be some restoration experts here who would disagree or offer alternate solutions, but I don't think I'm too far off base.
Rick B.
Strip it down to the bare metal again.
Coat it with POR-15, Rust Bullet or Rust Encapsulator.
Skip the Bondo.
Mount the new windshield.
I wouldn't want Bondo between the glass and the metal since Bondo can break off in pieces if it's too thick. The windhield adds some structural strength to the birdcage, however slight, so it should be bonded as firmly as possible.
There may be some restoration experts here who would disagree or offer alternate solutions, but I don't think I'm too far off base.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Originally Posted by Blair Winch Project
You did a nice job of repairing the hole in the windshield frame. I don't want to rain on the parade, but if you really want to keep the frame from rusing again :
Strip it down to the bare metal again.
Coat it with POR-15, Rust Bullet or Rust Encapsulator.
Skip the Bondo.
Mount the new windshield.
I wouldn't want Bondo between the glass and the metal since Bondo can break off in pieces if it's too thick. The windhield adds some structural strength to the birdcage, however slight, so it should be bonded as firmly as possible.
There may be some restoration experts here who would disagree or offer alternate solutions, but I don't think I'm too far off base.
Rick B.
Strip it down to the bare metal again.
Coat it with POR-15, Rust Bullet or Rust Encapsulator.
Skip the Bondo.
Mount the new windshield.
I wouldn't want Bondo between the glass and the metal since Bondo can break off in pieces if it's too thick. The windhield adds some structural strength to the birdcage, however slight, so it should be bonded as firmly as possible.
There may be some restoration experts here who would disagree or offer alternate solutions, but I don't think I'm too far off base.
Rick B.
thanks,
Steve
