Winshield frame replacement or refurb-how easy?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Winshield frame replacement or refurb-how easy?
I am trying to get a deal done for a 1969 350/350 4 speed. Matching numbers decent shape, needs love. It shows some rust on both uprights of the windshield frame. How hard is it to rplace these, and if not too far gone what would you recommend as far as refinishing instead of replacing? Sorry if this had been dicussed before. I'm a newbie. Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
It really comes down to how bad they're rusted. Around here, almost every Corvette I look at, has some rust on the lower A-pillars. Sometimes it's just surface rust, sometimes it's more.
You need to determine how much rust there is, before you run away!
Ouch!
The local Corvette shop I deal with, gets about $2,000 to repair the A-Pillars. That includes cutting and replacing the fender tips and repairing the cowl area, but not paint (usually he's repairing them on cars that are in his shop, for paint anyway).
If he has to replace A-pillars because they're to far gone, and/or the windshield frame header, that adds another $1,500 in parts and labor.
You need to determine how much rust there is, before you run away!
Ouch!
The local Corvette shop I deal with, gets about $2,000 to repair the A-Pillars. That includes cutting and replacing the fender tips and repairing the cowl area, but not paint (usually he's repairing them on cars that are in his shop, for paint anyway).
If he has to replace A-pillars because they're to far gone, and/or the windshield frame header, that adds another $1,500 in parts and labor.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Ouch!
The local Corvette shop I deal with, gets about $2,000 to repair the A-Pillars. That includes cutting and replacing the fender tips and repairing the cowl area, but not paint (usually he's repairing them on cars that are in his shop, for paint anyway).
If he has to replace A-pillars because they're to far gone, and/or the windshield frame header, that adds another $1,500 in parts and labor.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Generally speaking this kind of rust repair is the most difficult and expensive to repair. Unless this car is the one you gotta have I would recommend avoiding it and looking at another car. I spent 3 months repairing the birdcage damage on my 71 and its not easy to do right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Is the windshield trim still on the car? You will not know how bad it is until the trim is off and then if rust is present only after the windshield itself is remove. With the kick panels off what does the inside of the door post look like?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
If the trim is still around the windshield its not likely that the owner will remove it for you to inspect it. Look at the pillar post on the driver side. Looking through the windshield you should see the Ven number plate. Look for rust around it and look to see if the plate is lifting. Open the doors look at the hinges what does that look like any rust lines? If the kick panels are off look inside the post. Also difficult to spot but the lower windshield corners under the surround (top of fender) is a real bad spot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Actually, if the rust is limited to just the A- pillars (possible but not very likely) it can be repaired fairly easily because it is accessible. You can replace the windshield for around $300, and the frame can be repaired while it's out. It may not be THAT bad once you get the glass out and can see exactly what's there.
What that rust DOES indicate is the potential for other problems in the birdcage...if the owner won't let you pull the kick panels out of the footbox to see how bad the birdcage really IS rusted, just walk away unless he's willing to give the car away. Again, making repairs to the windshield frame is relatively easy compared to having to dig into the guts of the 'cage, which literally requires disassembly of the entire car
What that rust DOES indicate is the potential for other problems in the birdcage...if the owner won't let you pull the kick panels out of the footbox to see how bad the birdcage really IS rusted, just walk away unless he's willing to give the car away. Again, making repairs to the windshield frame is relatively easy compared to having to dig into the guts of the 'cage, which literally requires disassembly of the entire car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Check out this link its a active thread of a forum member repairing his WS frame.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ps-please.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ps-please.html