Installing Windshield Myself?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Installing Windshield Myself?
Thinking of installing a new windshield myself. Had a company come out to install a new windshield in my 73. When they removed the old one there was some rust in the upper corners, so they said they would come back when the rust was repaired. They charged me for the job and left the new windshield. Have since repaired the rust, and have been thinking about installing the new one myself. I would probably be a lot more careful and make sure everything is done right/perfect. What is required to install a windshield? What type of windshield sealer is used on a 73? I have new clips for the trim. I used to work in a body shop and have seen windshields installed, but never on a Vette, and never did it myself. Any help will be appreciated. 
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Go for it! I did mine myself, no problem. The only thing is use butyl tape instead of the goo. It made the windsheild sit at the correct height so the trim fit properly when done and no mess. If used properly the tape seals just fine. Park it in the sun for a few hours after you set the glass and press around the contact points to get it to spread / seal good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
Originally Posted by 427basketcase
Go for it! I did mine myself, no problem. The only thing is use butyl tape instead of the goo. It made the windsheild sit at the correct height so the trim fit properly when done and no mess. If used properly the tape seals just fine. Park it in the sun for a few hours after you set the glass and press around the contact points to get it to spread / seal good.
Except you must put two pads (looked like felt pads) at the bottom of windshield tabs! I had a windshied guy install mine but would not install the trim. He indicated I would do a better job then he would. Anyway, he showed me and installed the pads at two landing tabs (for a better word), he indicated without those two pads the windshield will crack at those two points. 
Muddy
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Yea, I forgot to mention the "Pads" They are little rubber blocks that hold the glass up from the bottom channel about 1/4 to 3/8 inch, they also help center the glass from top to bottom in the frame.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
I had a local place that's been in the area for years do mine. It was cheaper to have them install the glass than for me to buy the glass. They sent an old timer along with an apprentice. My dad was there while they put it in, and he said the old man did most of the work and said he has installed 100's of vette windsheilds in his life. They did beautiful work, even installed the trim to make sure the windsheild was up high enough so that the trim would just rest on the glass and not leave a gap. My dad said they test fitted it two or three times before glueing it down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by FAST73
Thinking of installing a new windshield myself. Had a company come out to install a new windshield in my 73. When they removed the old one there was some rust in the upper corners, so they said they would come back when the rust was repaired. They charged me for the job and left the new windshield. Have since repaired the rust, and have been thinking about installing the new one myself. I would probably be a lot more careful and make sure everything is done right/perfect. What is required to install a windshield? What type of windshield sealer is used on a 73? I have new clips for the trim. I used to work in a body shop and have seen windshields installed, but never on a Vette, and never did it myself. Any help will be appreciated.
Here is my contribution to the community..
http://www.speakeasy.org/~pws/Corvette.htm
It's not a bad job at all - you should do fine. The only thing I would add at this point is [For safety reasons especially] to use BOTH the Butyl Tape AND the Urethane "goo". And DO NOT EVER use Silicone.
Good luck!
Last edited by pws69; Sep 20, 2006 at 01:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Thanks for the advice and info.
Is it correct that the pads just go on the windshield perch? I assume the pads can be purchased from Doc Rebuild. Also, instead of replacing the foam that was under the top chrome corner sections (not the windshield trim), I was thinking about using RTV to fill the area instead?
Is it correct that the pads just go on the windshield perch? I assume the pads can be purchased from Doc Rebuild. Also, instead of replacing the foam that was under the top chrome corner sections (not the windshield trim), I was thinking about using RTV to fill the area instead?
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Originally Posted by pws69
Here is my contribution to the community..
http://www.speakeasy.org/~pws/Corvette.htm
It's not a bad job at all - you should do fine. The only thing I would add at this point is [For safety reasons especially] to use BOTH the Butyl Tape AND the Urethane "goo". And DO NOT EVER use Silicone.
Good luck!
http://www.speakeasy.org/~pws/Corvette.htm
It's not a bad job at all - you should do fine. The only thing I would add at this point is [For safety reasons especially] to use BOTH the Butyl Tape AND the Urethane "goo". And DO NOT EVER use Silicone.
Good luck!
pws69, Great detail of the project! I have a new WS mocked up and I have the goo sealer that I bought from the guy I got the glass from. Where can I get the butyl tape, and rubber spacers? Also where can I get the pads that the WS rests against at the bottom. I have a couple of peices of wood screwed in right now to hold it in place. Bubba anyone????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by BlackRat
pws69, Great detail of the project! I have a new WS mocked up and I have the goo sealer that I bought from the guy I got the glass from. Where can I get the butyl tape, and rubber spacers? Also where can I get the pads that the WS rests against at the bottom. I have a couple of peices of wood screwed in right now to hold it in place. Bubba anyone????
There is a metal plate about 3" wide that sticks out from the center of the cowl - the wipers "park" on it and there is a strip of rubber (about 1/16" or less) that the windshield touches. That's it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: NY
You paid for r/r and a windshield, right? They removed it, and left the glass with you so you could fix some rust, do I have this right so far? Why would you think of doing a job that you paid someone else to do? If you break it, you're SOL. If they break it, they have to get you a new one.
Don't get me wrong, I am a do it yourself kind of guy, if you have a slight clue. And from your initial post, you don't. If they said that they would return and install, make them honor it, and leave the responsibility on the professionals. All of the stuff that you are looking to buy come with the installation, that you paid for.
Don't get me wrong, I am a do it yourself kind of guy, if you have a slight clue. And from your initial post, you don't. If they said that they would return and install, make them honor it, and leave the responsibility on the professionals. All of the stuff that you are looking to buy come with the installation, that you paid for.
Last edited by stinkray; Sep 22, 2006 at 06:17 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
I agree with Stinkray. I figure that the most they could cahrge is for another visit to your house $20-30 bucks? Glass is very delicate and cracks easily both before and after installation. Plus you will need a recruit since it is not a one man job. I think you are crazy to do it your self if you screw up you have no recourse. If it leaks, cracks, or doesn't fit right you have no one to blame but yourself. Let the pro's do it.
