How do you remove hatch cover caps?

[warren s]

As the title asks, how do you remove the plastic caps on the exterior of the glass hatch?

On my 95 they turned gray and seem to be on very tightly. Do they just pry off or rotate off?

Silly little project.......

 

[speedmaster4]

remove the nut inside the hatch and the whole bolt/head lifts out...they're ''carriage'' bolts and the hole thru the glass is ''square''...yeah, scary.

 

[gmjunkie]

As the title asks, how do you remove the plastic caps on the exterior of the glass hatch?

On my 95 they turned gray and seem to be on very tightly. Do they just pry off or rotate off?

Silly little project.......

You need to paint them on the car,it's Very easy to screw up taking them out and break the glass!!hnoeshnoes

 

[Rabbit]

You need to paint them on the car,it's Very easy to screw up taking them out and break the glass!!hnoeshnoes

gmjunkie is right on! Clean em up & paint them a nice flat black or any color you like.

 

[warren s]

Thank you folks, I must have had a brain fart to not figure that out myself.

WS

 

[nelson84]

You can buy caps to cover them from MAD.

 

[B17Crew]

You need to paint them on the car,it's Very easy to screw up taking them out and break the glass!!hnoeshnoes

Hi, Junk, I hope you can help.

Do you happen to know how many ft. lbs you should torque the bolts to upon installation? I have a OEM set that I was going to install on my ’96 because my two rear center “caps” have grayed as well.

As for breaking the glass, that was a concern of mine when tightening the bolts. Is removing the bolts just as precarious as installing them?

Thanks!
B17Crew

 

[gmjunkie]

Hi, Junk, I hope you can help.

Do you happen to know how many ft. lbs you should torque the bolts to upon installation? I have a OEM set that I was going to install on my ’96 because my two rear center “caps” have grayed as well.

As for breaking the glass, that was a concern of mine when tightening the bolts. Is removing the bolts just as precarious as installing them?

Thanks!
B17Crew

Depends on how tight they are coming off!!Tempered glass is some strange stuff!! You can slam it with your fist,and Break your hand!! Or you can apply just a small amount of pressure with the tip of a ice pick,and it will Shatter into a Million Pieces!!They have thin nylon washers with a thin collar around the bolt shoulder that are designed to go through the glass to protect it from the corners on the bolt!! But if there old and brittle and happen to split and let the corner of the steel bolt get to the glass,Very little pressure and it will shatter!!:eyerole:eyerole:eyerole I myself have never broken a rear hatch,but I have broken a side window from a small sliver of glass stuck in one of the washers from the old window,that I didn't notice!! But I've seen it performed by a employee!!!hnoeshnoes Most of the time they will come loose,No Problem!! But sometimes there tight from age or crud and you end up putting more pressure on the glass than you think,and then you hear a little snap and it falls to pieces!!

I try to not mess with them if I don't have too!!I'll clean them up and paint them on the car with Black Trim and Molding paint!!:cool

They just need to be snug,with not even a speck of dirt under it!! I suppose there is torque spec's for it, but I can't find one in any of my books!!

 

[B17Crew]

gmjunkie,

Thank you, I have high regard for your advice.

I’m going to heed your advice and just paint them. I have the OEM set I can install at any time. I would have a heart attack if I destroyed my rear hatch glass!

There is one Corvette specialist here in town that I can trust if I decide to have the new set installed.

B17Crew

 

[Hot Rod Roy]

Don't use a cheap spray paint, as it will go grey quickly in the weather. The best spray paint I've found is Rustoleum Semi Gloss black. It's much more durable than others I've tried.

 

[douglas foster]

father & son

Once you paint them, spray a clear coat on ,that will help them from fadeing

 

[WhalePirot]

spray a clear coat on ,that will help them from fadeing

Cool neighborhood, with Vettes, side-by-side.

Choose the clear as gloss or satin, though, depending on the finish you prefer. UV protective paint is even better.

 

[douglas foster]

father & son

That was then,this is now!

 

[B17Crew]

This has been a helpful thread, some pretty good suggestions!

B17Crew

 

[nelson84]

I have to remove my caps to install a rear hatch wing. What about using vice grips on the cap and then wrenching the inside peice with your other hand. What will cause the glass to break the cap or the inside peice?