As some of you may recall, my 55 has a chopped top. Yesterday I waxed, shot pva and did several layers of fiberglass on my windshield so that I could make a pattern for cutting a new windshield.





I've been entertaining doing a glue in windshield with late model trim instead of the rubber gasket install. I've got a feelling that I'm barking up a tree with nothing in it but I'll ask anyway. Has anyone on here ever done a glue in on a 53-55?

 

Where are you going to find a weatherstrip for a custom made chopped top windshield? Probably no where. All the new stuff glues in, so I would think you could do the same thing on a 53-55, cuz what's the alternative?

Have an autoglass shop install the glass, forget the trim (windsheild reveal mouldings) because what vehicle out there will have any that will fit?

 

There's a lot of chop top trucks out there that use a modified weatherstrip. Nothing new about that.

As far as the glue in, I know it can and has been done. One of the trucks that won either Best of Show or People's Choice several years back at the Supernationals had a glue in.

Just wondering if someone on here has attempted it.

 

One application that I saw used rear window trim from an S10 truck...it looks like black half-round plastic and it fits right into the gap between the glass and the body. Glues in, no clips and it's thin enough to bend around the corners.

 

I'll take a look at the S10 trim. I wish I could remember what the guy said he used at the Supernationals. It was a really clean look without the bulk of the rubber weather strip. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

I wish I had a picture to post of the window...it was on a 50 Merc leadsled, the trim was barely noticable maybe 3/8 inch wide.

BTW - nice job on the FG pattern, I encourage people to use this technique when fitting new glass. The PVA helps a lot, without it I have seen glass crack.

 

I pulled the pattern this morning and it came right off without any urging. As a matter of fact when I started sanding the pattern even with the edge of the windshield I could see that it was starting to release all around the edges.

 

The glue in windshield is a great way to go. It definitely makes the glass install a lot easier, especially with a chop top. To do it properly, you do need to make a little modification to the windshield opening. You need to square up the edge next to the glass, and have the opening inset approx. 3/16" deeper than the thickness of the glass. That gives room for the bead of urethane under the glass, and the squared up edge allows the GM plastic T moulding to fit and fill the gap. Talk to a local auto glass shop for their recommendation. There's likely one in your neighborhood that is into doing fun stuff, like your project.

 

A glue-in windshield needs a stiff (rigid) frame. I can see it working out on a show truck, but I wonder if it would on a street-driven flimsy old truck? The rubber used stock is very forgiving.

 

My local glass guy has the glue in molding by the roll in several different sizes and styles.......
I would think the glass would have to fit the opening pretty evenly all of the way around, otherwise no real concerns.

 

I haven't done one in an effie truck, but I have done several 30's-40's cars with the glue in windshield. I've never seen one that was a problem as long as the opening was modified to accept the glass at the right depth as I mentioned above and the gap was correct, like Scott said, for the T-moulding to fit right. Gluing in the windshield adds an incredible amount of rigidity all by itself. Most new cars today utilize the glass being glued in as part of their crashworthiness.