Replace your own windshield?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 9
From: Troy Ohio
Replace your own windshield?
Has anyone replaced their own windshield? It really does not look to hard to do after reading over it in the gm manual. I'm a real sucker for trying anything once.....within reason, and legality. :eek:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Tom 35th anniversary)
thats why there is comprehensive insurance.
personally, I would not tackle that one...
you do need new trim and seals, I think... others will chime in, I am sure.
personally, I would not tackle that one...
you do need new trim and seals, I think... others will chime in, I am sure.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota FL
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Tom 35th anniversary)
Had to replace mine a couple of years ago. I watched the guys at the glass shop do it, and believe me, it's not a job that I would ever think about doing myself. I do most of the work on my car myself, but as far as I am concerned this is a job best left to the professionals. Easy to screw up and big $$$ when you do...
Mark
Mark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Replace your own windshield? (90Z51Vette)
i almost went down that road with a daily driver a couple years ago and ended up paying to have it done. i was worried about not getting the best seal and it leak, plus if you break it while moving it around and putting in your out of luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 0
From: Northern tip of Virginia
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Tom 35th anniversary)
its a 2 man job, and BOTH men need to know what they are doing.
save yourself some aggravation, and let the glass shop handle it. :D
save yourself some aggravation, and let the glass shop handle it. :D
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
Re: Replace your own windshield? (90Z51Vette)
:withstupid:
Absolutely, some things are best left for people who do it EVERYDAY, saves time, grief, and money if something goes bad........imagine hunting water leak on that one?.......Doing it twice.......nehh...........pro only for that job
Absolutely, some things are best left for people who do it EVERYDAY, saves time, grief, and money if something goes bad........imagine hunting water leak on that one?.......Doing it twice.......nehh...........pro only for that job
Had to replace mine a couple of years ago. I watched the guys at the glass shop do it, and believe me, it's not a job that I would ever think about doing myself. I do most of the work on my car myself, but as far as I am concerned this is a job best left to the professionals. Easy to screw up and big $$$ when you do...
Mark
Mark
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 3
From: atlanta ga
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Tom 35th anniversary)
if you crack it durring the install you have to buy another one. if they crack it durring the install they have to buy another one. most body shops wont change a windshield for that reason. thay call the glass man. :nono:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Tom 35th anniversary)
For me, things like this fall into my "get some sense" category :lol:
If you're doing some work on your car after you've gotten off work, it's no different than working overtime. That being said, I would rather work some O/T at what I do, and pay someone else straight time to do what they do. Especially if the job on the car involves a degree of potential failure like this windshield thing (the same goes for a convertible top, or seat covers, etc.) (for me).
Other things on my car fall into the different category of pursuing my hobby and therefore I consider then to be relaxing ( plugs, fuel pump, my D44 swap, etc)
So for me, it all boils down to what I consider to be fun and what I consider to be a beaatch to do.... :D
If you're doing some work on your car after you've gotten off work, it's no different than working overtime. That being said, I would rather work some O/T at what I do, and pay someone else straight time to do what they do. Especially if the job on the car involves a degree of potential failure like this windshield thing (the same goes for a convertible top, or seat covers, etc.) (for me).
Other things on my car fall into the different category of pursuing my hobby and therefore I consider then to be relaxing ( plugs, fuel pump, my D44 swap, etc)
So for me, it all boils down to what I consider to be fun and what I consider to be a beaatch to do.... :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Caboboy)
For me, things like this fall into my "get some sense" category :lol:
If you're doing some work on your car after you've gotten off work, it's no different than working overtime. That being said, I would rather work some O/T at what I do, and pay someone else straight time to do what they do. Especially if the job on the car involves a degree of potential failure like this windshield thing (the same goes for a convertible top, or seat covers, etc.) (for me).
Other things on my car fall into the different category of pursuing my hobby and therefore I consider then to be relaxing ( plugs, fuel pump, my D44 swap, etc)
So for me, it all boils down to what I consider to be fun and what I consider to be a beaatch to do.... :D
If you're doing some work on your car after you've gotten off work, it's no different than working overtime. That being said, I would rather work some O/T at what I do, and pay someone else straight time to do what they do. Especially if the job on the car involves a degree of potential failure like this windshield thing (the same goes for a convertible top, or seat covers, etc.) (for me).
Other things on my car fall into the different category of pursuing my hobby and therefore I consider then to be relaxing ( plugs, fuel pump, my D44 swap, etc)
So for me, it all boils down to what I consider to be fun and what I consider to be a beaatch to do.... :D
P.S.-Caboboy (Tim) is dark halo hosting your sig pic?
:lurk:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
From: Stamford VT
Re: Replace your own windshield? (edsalinas)
I've never done a windshield in a Vette, but I've done plenty of them in other cars, including a couple of my Camaros. In general, they're easy. But... if you don't know what you're doing, for what it costs you're probably better off letting a pro do it.
Basically getting the old windshield out is the only frustrating part. Once that's out, you clean up the surface, run a thick bead of the windshield sealant around the opening, and set the new glass in, with spacers at the bottom so that it sits at the right height. Once it's in place, you wiggle it back and forth a little while pushing down. This seats it into the goop and will provide good adhesion once the goop sets up. This is VERY important because that goop is the only thing holding your windshield in place, plus the glass is a major part of your car's structural rigidity.
Basically getting the old windshield out is the only frustrating part. Once that's out, you clean up the surface, run a thick bead of the windshield sealant around the opening, and set the new glass in, with spacers at the bottom so that it sits at the right height. Once it's in place, you wiggle it back and forth a little while pushing down. This seats it into the goop and will provide good adhesion once the goop sets up. This is VERY important because that goop is the only thing holding your windshield in place, plus the glass is a major part of your car's structural rigidity.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Tom 35th anniversary)
Its no big deal replaced more than few.
The hardest part is getting old sealer out. You have to cut it out with a razor knife. As far as a new seal goes the new windshield is "glued" in with a black sealer. Once the windshield opening is clean the new sealer is laid down in the opening and the glass is set in. Theres a primer that goes on before the new sealer in applied.
I pay $180.00 for a new glass installed with the rubber all ready on the glass.
The glass comes both ways but get the new rubber with the new glass.
You'll save very little doing it yourself. Maybe $50.00.
A Corvette is fairly easy to do. A Peterbuilt is much harder.
Good luck.
The hardest part is getting old sealer out. You have to cut it out with a razor knife. As far as a new seal goes the new windshield is "glued" in with a black sealer. Once the windshield opening is clean the new sealer is laid down in the opening and the glass is set in. Theres a primer that goes on before the new sealer in applied.
I pay $180.00 for a new glass installed with the rubber all ready on the glass.
The glass comes both ways but get the new rubber with the new glass.
You'll save very little doing it yourself. Maybe $50.00.
A Corvette is fairly easy to do. A Peterbuilt is much harder.
Good luck.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: lakeland fl
Re: Replace your own windshield? (redwing76)
yep, and I paid $160 three years ago for the glass with installation- so buying the glass on my own for $180 doesn't seem like the best value.........
true, there is a time value to money, but to me, it is about doing the job right- I can stand there and watch them put in my windshield, but I didn't mind at all replacing my valve stem seals- tho it killed a weekend- because only I really care about whether or not it's done right.
true, there is a time value to money, but to me, it is about doing the job right- I can stand there and watch them put in my windshield, but I didn't mind at all replacing my valve stem seals- tho it killed a weekend- because only I really care about whether or not it's done right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Replace your own windshield? (edsalinas)
P.S.-Caboboy (Tim) is dark halo hosting your sig pic?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 0
From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Replace your own windshield? (yoslambo1@cs.com)
If you decide to have a shop do it, make sure they are a referred shop. Ask other vette owners who have gone thur this for a shop that did a great job. Make sure it's the same installer also. Also don't take a shops word that they have experience doing vette installs. They will lie just to get your money.
Trust me on this. Been there done that. Plenty of members on here can tell you their bad story's also. So in short make sure they use the soft OEM seal and the installer is experienced and you should no have problems.
[Modified by ConeKLR, 12:42 PM 4/2/2003]
Trust me on this. Been there done that. Plenty of members on here can tell you their bad story's also. So in short make sure they use the soft OEM seal and the installer is experienced and you should no have problems.
[Modified by ConeKLR, 12:42 PM 4/2/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
From: Stamford VT
Re: Replace your own windshield? (ConeKLR)
If you decide to have a shop do it, make sure they are a referred shop. Ask other vette owners who have gone thur this for a shop that did a great job. Make sure it's the same installer also. Also don't take a shops word that they have experience doing vette installs. They will lie just to get your money.
Trust me on this. Been there done that. Plenty of members on here can tell you their bad story's also. So in short make sure they use the soft OEM seal and the installer is experienced and you should no have problems.
[Modified by ConeKLR, 12:42 PM 4/2/2003]
Trust me on this. Been there done that. Plenty of members on here can tell you their bad story's also. So in short make sure they use the soft OEM seal and the installer is experienced and you should no have problems.
[Modified by ConeKLR, 12:42 PM 4/2/2003]
I've never put a pair of speakers in a vette before, but I can guarantee you that when I do change mine, it won't be any different from the hundreds of other cars I've changed speakers in. Although there are a whole lot of unique issues with Vettes, there are also a whole lot that are the same as every other car.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Replace your own windshield? (Tom 35th anniversary)
There is always a learning curve when taking on a new project. Sure you might crack a few windshields, and chase a few leaks at first, but when you’ve done it once or twice you will forever have that knowledge. Who knows how many cracked windshields your family will have in their life. The knowledge you gain today could save you a lot down the road.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=463356
:cheers:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=463356
:cheers: