Removing windshield
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 47
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From: Lee's Summit, MO
Removing windshield
I need to remove and replace a cracked windshield on my '50 F2. The rubber seal is as hard as a rock. Any suggestions on how to soften it up enough to cut it off or otherwise remove it?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 23
If you're not keeping the windshield you could always push it out from the inside (it will break) and then just pull off the rubber seal. That's how I do it... but I tend to like to break things, lol. Anything that I can think of risks damaging paint, I'm sure someone has a good way to do it...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
You might try some localized heat from a hair dryer to soften the seal up a bit as you cut it. Sometimes that helps. Be careful doing this on a good piece of glass, though. If you get the glass too hot it might delaminate. It wouldn't make a difference on a cracked window, though.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 7
From: Moyie, BC Canada
The fastest way to get it out, give it a couple good wacks with a hammer ....I saw this done one time down at a professional glass installation place. 10 minutes tops and the glass was all vacuumed up the old rubber was in the trash, and two guys were on their way across the floor with the new windshield.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I'd sit in the center of the seat, put my feet against the glass as far apart as possible and centered vertically and push until it pops out. Second way is to run a propane torch over the rubber seal heating it quickly and cut it with a fresh bladed utility knife (or box cutter as some call it). Third way is to modify a good sized soldering iron into an electric knife and use that to cut the seal.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
One more thing, there are four retaining tabs the hold the rubber in. They're a PIA when installing a windshield and I aways cut them off and grind them smooth. When removing the windshield they could get in the way. They don't do much because if you were going to install the stainless steel trim used on the Five Star cab they manual tells you to cut them off. The trim piece doesn't add any additional hold.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
If your redoing the interior, good carb cleaner like Berrymans will soften rubber. Spray it (or buy the pour can) on a rag and hold it against the rubber to soften, then cut with a sharp knife.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 47
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From: Lee's Summit, MO
Thanks for all the replies. I am not concerned about the paint or the interior but I would prefer to get it out without shattering if possible. I'll probably try heat or maybe the carb cleaner approach.
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