removing windshield glass
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
removing windshield glass
I would like to remove the windshield and back glass on my cab - it would sure make doing the body and paint work easier. Is it very difficult and does it take a special tool, or can anyone who is careful remove it?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Lake Jackson, Texas
It's not that difficult to get out, the problem is getting the windshield out without breaking. If you're going back with new rubber you can cut it away from the window and remove the glass with help. If you want to save the rubber it is a little more time consuming but if you're careful it can be done. No special tools, be gentle.
Bob
60 F100
95 F150
Bob
60 F100
95 F150
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 910
Likes: 8
From: Mustang ,OK
Personally, I wouldn't try it saving 50 y/o rubber. If I do it, I get a hole in the rubber (usually much hardened rubber) and thread a piece of wire thru and saw down the rubber between the body and glass. Obviously, care should be taken not to damage the retained (body and glass) parts. Then going back in with a pliable, new, pretty rubber seal.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
I've heard, as TexasBob said, it isn't too difficult as long as you have the help of at least one other person. Murphy, however, is always lurking. 
I plan on having my glass guy remove all the glass as well as put it all back in when I'm ready. He'll also be replacing the side glass with tinted. I figure that it is cheap insurance against the cost of one "OOPS".
I plan on having my glass guy remove all the glass as well as put it all back in when I'm ready. He'll also be replacing the side glass with tinted. I figure that it is cheap insurance against the cost of one "OOPS".
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
Your glass guy will be responsible for breakage? Guy I called would not touch it unless I agreed he was not liable if it broke. Guess I had better call a few more shops.
And I am working by myself - not much help available.
And I am working by myself - not much help available.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 8
From: Clarksville,Tn
If your like me usally all my trucks front windshield are crack prior to any resto; I use a utilty kinfe with a new blade and cut along the edge both inside and outside with the help of a friend. One of us cutting the other on opposite side holding. Also pre-plan a good place to store your good glass while in resto stage. I even got a carboard glass shipping box from my local glass shop to place the glass inside it while storing in during paint phase.
Just another $.02 worth to ponder.
Mitch
Just another $.02 worth to ponder.
Mitch
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
***** -
My glass guy is old school and has done many street rods over the years. I haven't asked him about liability, but I figure if it breaks with him taking it out, then I surely would have trashed it. A perfect finished job is what I'm looking for. I have heard that sometimes stuff happens, but all my glass right now is in excellent shape and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm just not confident doing the glass myself. And, like you, I'd also be working by myself.
My glass guy is old school and has done many street rods over the years. I haven't asked him about liability, but I figure if it breaks with him taking it out, then I surely would have trashed it. A perfect finished job is what I'm looking for. I have heard that sometimes stuff happens, but all my glass right now is in excellent shape and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm just not confident doing the glass myself. And, like you, I'd also be working by myself.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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Rear Window - You'll find a molded line on rubber on the inside of the cab that look's like it's probably how far the glass goes down into the rubber and it basically is. Take a good sharp razor knife and cut through to the glass and along a few inches. Grab onto the strip you've created and pull forcefully on it whilst you're cutting along the molding line and go alway the way around the window. With a buddy, gently but firmly push on the glass to break it free from the rubber it's been stuck to for 50 yrs and into the cab. One person pushing and the other waiting to accept the glass.
Front window - same deal except even though you trimmed away the rubber on the inside (again) you're pushing the glass out from the cab. I think! It was only about 3 wks ago, but I can't remember if we pushed the windsheild out or in......
Both came out without breakage and I am not the most finesse kinda guy....
Just use 50% fear, 50% common sense and 50% care.
Front window - same deal except even though you trimmed away the rubber on the inside (again) you're pushing the glass out from the cab. I think! It was only about 3 wks ago, but I can't remember if we pushed the windsheild out or in......
Both came out without breakage and I am not the most finesse kinda guy....
Just use 50% fear, 50% common sense and 50% care.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Adams,CO.
Have you seen an old windshield against a new paint job ? I tried this a few times and have never been real happy with the result. You may want to go with a new glass if your old unit has any signs of age,pits,yellowing etc. A new tinted,shaded PPG unit is only 265.00 installed with the glass shop being reponsible for the new unit. This is with new rubber of course. It would be sad to have to take it out again after the paint job to gat a new on in. Save up front I say. 
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,890
Likes: 9
From: La Verne, California
I hired a Glass Installer for mine believing the way R.J. is, But guess what?
As the guy was putting my New Windscreen in w/ the new rubber he was seating the it & asked if he was making me Nervous?
I stated yes & then he cracked my New windscreen right @ the Bend in the ringht hand side.
As the guy was putting my New Windscreen in w/ the new rubber he was seating the it & asked if he was making me Nervous?
I stated yes & then he cracked my New windscreen right @ the Bend in the ringht hand side.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 151
Likes: 14
I was really worried about damage while the whindshield was out. How are you going to store a '56 windshield and keep it protected .... I don't have a lot of room.
For $125 we had a pro remove it and store 'till we're ready and then re-install. He does lots of old vehicles and will replace anything he breaks. I was really encouraged when he was amazed at the complete lack of rust under the windshield.
DB
For $125 we had a pro remove it and store 'till we're ready and then re-install. He does lots of old vehicles and will replace anything he breaks. I was really encouraged when he was amazed at the complete lack of rust under the windshield.
DB
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
No guts, no glory! I removed both my windshield and back glass this morning. Stole some dish washing soap from the house and brushed it all around under the rubber seals. Then worked out the rubber with a old butter knife and a thin putty knife a little at a time.
Started with the back glass for practice and then did the windshield - turned out the windshield was the easiest, it sort of just popped out. Only time I came close to damaging anything was carrying the windshield - soap made it so slick I almost dropped it. Both glasses are now stored in the rafters.
The whole idea with this rebuild is to do it myself - with all respect to the trades, I do not think professionals are any smarter than me, just more practiced. Our problem is that by the time we learn how best to do a job, it is over and we never do it again. That and they have special tools we know nothing about.
I must admit part of my boldness came from the fact that my donor truck has a good back glass and a useable windshield, plus, as El Cabron said, I know myself well enough to know that if things go well I will want a new tinted and shaded windshield to match the new paint!
Thanks for all the tips ---
Started with the back glass for practice and then did the windshield - turned out the windshield was the easiest, it sort of just popped out. Only time I came close to damaging anything was carrying the windshield - soap made it so slick I almost dropped it. Both glasses are now stored in the rafters.
The whole idea with this rebuild is to do it myself - with all respect to the trades, I do not think professionals are any smarter than me, just more practiced. Our problem is that by the time we learn how best to do a job, it is over and we never do it again. That and they have special tools we know nothing about.
I must admit part of my boldness came from the fact that my donor truck has a good back glass and a useable windshield, plus, as El Cabron said, I know myself well enough to know that if things go well I will want a new tinted and shaded windshield to match the new paint!
Thanks for all the tips ---
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Dirt Boy
I was really encouraged when he was amazed at the complete lack of rust under the windshield.
DB
DB
Vern