glass help needed
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 343
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From: Pincher Creek Alberta
glass help needed
like many money has stalled my 50 merc m-68.
i will need to replace the windshield as it is cracked,i have a 97 f-150 extended cap that im parting out for some cash for my merc,i was thinking the back window is flat glass.could this be cut down to make a windshield or is it safe glass.
i feel i can do the cutt myself,if it brakes i really have lost nothing but some time,but if it is safety glass i will just find another way.
any thoughts,yah or nay,thanks.
i will need to replace the windshield as it is cracked,i have a 97 f-150 extended cap that im parting out for some cash for my merc,i was thinking the back window is flat glass.could this be cut down to make a windshield or is it safe glass.
i feel i can do the cutt myself,if it brakes i really have lost nothing but some time,but if it is safety glass i will just find another way.
any thoughts,yah or nay,thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
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From: San Jose, CA
The truck cap glass is usually made out of tempered glass. When broken, it shatters into million of pieces. Windshields are normally made out of safety glass - two glass pieces with a laminate in between. When impacted, safety glass will crack and not shatter.
I suggest using safety glass instead of the tempered glass for the windshield.
I suggest using safety glass instead of the tempered glass for the windshield.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 343
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From: Pincher Creek Alberta
51panelman,this i understand about the safety glass,this is not a cap on the back of the truck,its the back window of the cab itself.is this a safety glass or tempered glass.if it is tampered then i would not even try to use it.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The only glass that is not tempered in a new vehicle is the front windshield. It is of safety glass made to keep you inside the vehicle in the event of an accident. If you tried to cut the back glass it will instantly become crystalized. I don't even think tempered glass can be cut or reshaped. Maybe it can but I think the only way is to grind it into shape.
The best suggestion I can give you is to call around to the non auto glass companies. I had the windshield for my F-2 made by a shower glass company about 8-9 years ago because none of the auto glass companies cut glass any more, they only want to sell packaged glass. Make sure you tell them what you want the glass for, there is a special safety glass for windshields and a different type for side and back glass.
The best suggestion I can give you is to call around to the non auto glass companies. I had the windshield for my F-2 made by a shower glass company about 8-9 years ago because none of the auto glass companies cut glass any more, they only want to sell packaged glass. Make sure you tell them what you want the glass for, there is a special safety glass for windshields and a different type for side and back glass.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
Ever seen a truck that has been rear-ended and the rear glass is shattered? Chances are that the driver and/or passenger struck it with the back of their head. This is common in older trucks that didn't have headrests in the seats.
Tempered glass can be cut. I just had a glass shelf made from tempered glass. It was cut to size right in front of me.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Ilya,
I would like to see a demo of how the guy did it. I worked for an auto supply store when I just got out of high school. They sold packaged glass and also cut custom glass. It's been a while but I seem to remember the guy told me if you were lucky you could grind tempered glass into a shap but you couldn't cut it like plain glass.
As a side note, we toured the Corning glass company a few year ago and it was amazing the different types of glass they made. In one display they had a piece of glass maybe 10 feet long and about 3-4 wide that was clamped on each end and they constantly brought the clamped ends together, within 4-5 feet without the glass breaking. It was constant display going 24 hours a day. It's a pretty interesting place.
I would like to see a demo of how the guy did it. I worked for an auto supply store when I just got out of high school. They sold packaged glass and also cut custom glass. It's been a while but I seem to remember the guy told me if you were lucky you could grind tempered glass into a shap but you couldn't cut it like plain glass.
As a side note, we toured the Corning glass company a few year ago and it was amazing the different types of glass they made. In one display they had a piece of glass maybe 10 feet long and about 3-4 wide that was clamped on each end and they constantly brought the clamped ends together, within 4-5 feet without the glass breaking. It was constant display going 24 hours a day. It's a pretty interesting place.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
He used some sort of small tool. I wasn't really paying attention to what he was doing. The glass cutter told me that sometimes the glass would break during the cut, so it's usually a 50/50.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Springfield Mo.
Tempered glass is cut to size, then heated in a oven. If it was cut without shattering, I dont think it is tempered.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Pincher Creek Alberta
ok i get it "dont use a back window for the front".
there is a 66 envoy out at my buddies place,maybe i will check that out .
thanks every one for your help.
i will find something to make work.
there is a 66 envoy out at my buddies place,maybe i will check that out .
thanks every one for your help.
i will find something to make work.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
I had all new glass cut for my entire cab and got everything in a smoked glass tint (other than the windshield) which has a slight green tint. The whole works cost me less than $400.00. Just shop around for the best deal. Your front windshield should only cost you around $150.00, maybe less.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Original glass is two-piece laminate all the way around. However, as safety standards improved, the laminate was replaced with tempered glass, except for the windshield. That has remained as a laminate throughout the years.
