rear glass removal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Chesapeake Virginia
rear glass removal
Hey guys, as part of my restoration I need to pull the rear glass from my '81, I bought the L-shaped glass removal tool from Northern Tool but for the life of me I can't seem to get it between the glass and the body. I don't want to break the rear window because they cost a fortune to replace and the one I have is perfect. anyone every used this tool or one like it ?? any tips on how to make this a little less risky task ??
thought about putting a little heat on the adhesive with my heat gun but don't want to risk the glass before asking.
thanks, Jig......
thought about putting a little heat on the adhesive with my heat gun but don't want to risk the glass before asking.
thanks, Jig......
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
They can be a real pain to remove.. We use a hot knife cutter which melts the old ribbon glue used by GM. This thing is older than dirt but has been a useful tool for over 25 years. I'm not sure where you can purchase one.. maybe modify an old soldering iron would be a some food for thought. I can not say enough about how much easier a hot knife is vs. that cutting tool (which in most cases will break the glass).
The issue is if you scratch the rear window.. it is not laminated like the windshield and it will blow up right before your eyes! Knowing this rules out using wire (old school way) as an option and makes one leery of using the cutter tool.
You might google Windshield removal tools.. or something like that and find one.
I know it's only one glass.. but the replacement cost is over the top. I have plenty of old rear windows for your car... but shipping it will cost almost as much as the glass.
Willcox
The issue is if you scratch the rear window.. it is not laminated like the windshield and it will blow up right before your eyes! Knowing this rules out using wire (old school way) as an option and makes one leery of using the cutter tool.
You might google Windshield removal tools.. or something like that and find one.
I know it's only one glass.. but the replacement cost is over the top. I have plenty of old rear windows for your car... but shipping it will cost almost as much as the glass.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Dec 6, 2012 at 09:16 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
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From: Chesapeake Virginia
that was the easy part, the plastic clips were so old and brittle they had pretty much turned to garbage, they came apart REAL easy, may be an issue when I have to replace the clips with new ones but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
They can be a real pain to remove.. We use a hot knife cutter which melts the old ribbon glue used by GM. This thing is older than dirt but has been a useful tool for over 25 years. I'm not sure where you can purchase one.. maybe modify an old soldering iron would be a some food for thought. I can not say enough about how much easier a hot knife is vs. that cutting tool (which in most cases will break the glass).
The issue is if you scratch the rear window.. it is not laminated like the windshield and it will blow up right before your eyes! Knowing this rules out using wire (old school way) as an option and makes one leery of using the cutter tool.
You might google Windshield removal tools.. or something like that and find one.
I know it's only one glass.. but the replacement cost is over the top. I have plenty of old rear windows for your car... but shipping it will cost almost as much as the glass.
Willcox
The issue is if you scratch the rear window.. it is not laminated like the windshield and it will blow up right before your eyes! Knowing this rules out using wire (old school way) as an option and makes one leery of using the cutter tool.
You might google Windshield removal tools.. or something like that and find one.
I know it's only one glass.. but the replacement cost is over the top. I have plenty of old rear windows for your car... but shipping it will cost almost as much as the glass.
Willcox
You guys always have knowledgeable things to contribute here.
