Welcome to my C2 NIGHTMARE!!!!

[67HEAVEN]

You haven't lived until you try installing a windshield in a C2 coupe.

What a frigggggggggggggggggggggin' nightmare!

As you know, the window frame (like the rest of my car) is freshly painted and clean. The moulding clips and screws are all brand new. The weatherstrip is new. The windshield is new.

So, with the help of my associate, we happily set about installing this lovely new windshield today:

Step 1. Final clean of everything.
Step 2. Run a bead of sealer around the glass recess in the weatherstrip.
Step 3. Place the weatherstrip around the perimeter of the glass.
Step 4. Insert the pull-rope in the pinchweld recess around the inside perimeter of the glass.
Step 5. Run a bead of sealer around the window frame on the body.
Step 6. Place the windshield/weatherstrip assembly in the window frame.
Step 7. Apply lots of pressure trying to seat the windshield around the perimeter. Realize that this isn't going to be easy. :eek
Step 8. Climb inside car and, using the rope, begin popping the weatherstrip inner lip inside the pinchweld flange.
Step 9. Notice, as we go along, that the process of pulling the lip inside shifts the outer w/s edge away from the glass surface.
Step 10. Begin fighting with the weatherstrip along both verticle planes trying to get a balance between the inner lip being in place without pulling the outer lip away from the glass surface.
Step 11. Come to the realization that the sealer is beginning to set up on us.
Step 12. Start swearing profusely.
Step 13. Reach a management decision that the windshield must come out before the sealer completely hardens.
Step 14. Begin removing the windshield/weatherstrip assembly.
Step 15. Further realize that we now have black sealer material all over everything.
Step 16. Swear some more.
Step 17. Begin thinking about all the work now required to remove and clean all the molding clips, clean the sealer out of the window frame and where it stuck to the body, clean it all off the windshield and order another new weatherstrip.
Step 18. Swear some more.
Step 19. Actually perform all the cleaning mentioned above.
Step 20. Come in for dinner.
Step 21. Sit down and cry to my forum buddies. :cry
Step 22. Get drunk.

Good-night. ad

Friggin' nightmare.

 

[Mac]

Remember, you're doing this to relax... Knowing how much fun it isn't, I'd be calling the local Apple Autoglass (or whoever you patronize) and arranging for a professional (ie: someone who knows all the tricks of the trade) to finish up.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Remember, you're doing this to relax... Knowing how much fun it isn't, I'd be calling the local Apple Autoglass (or whoever you patronize) and arranging for a professional (ie: someone who knows all the tricks of the trade) to finish up.

Mac,

The reason I tackled it myself is that they (the pros) didn't want to try it using sealer. (Now I know why!!!!!!!!!)

However, the Service Manual, JohnZ and logic tell me that sealer is required.

????????????????????? What now? (as he looks towards the Heavens)

 

[Mac]

Mac,

The reason I tackled it myself is that they (the pros) didn't want to try it using sealer. (Now I know why!!!!!!!!!)

However, the Service Manual, JohnZ and logic tell me that sealer is required.

????????????????????? What now? (as he looks towards the Heavens)

What do the pros propose? Are the new sealing processes better? If so, why not go for it? When I re-did the Jeep, the Apple guy used a new style formed seal which was one piece rather than the 'tar with a cap' that was used before but Jeeps are exposed, rather than recessed.

If the pro solution isn't up to snuff, I guess I'd import JohnZ. Michigan isn't that far away.

 

[Sky65]

67HVN.
Hang in there. You are building an increadible car. Toss down a few cold ones and take look at your web site. There is no doubt in my mind you will get it done and it will be great!

Sky

 

[jerrybramlett]

The sealer to use for mid-year windshields is 3M Bedding and Glazing Compound. It is a black goo in a tube that never hardens and remains sticky. You squirt it with a caulking gun. I've used this product since the seventies on Corvette windshields. Anyone who tells you to use a sealer that hardens is not speaking from experience. Well, at least not good experience.

I also suggest the you apply the sealer after the windshield is in the car to minimize the mess. While you're installing the weatherstrip/glass using the pull string, lube it well with a light oil. Personally, I use spray Pam.

Yes, you can do this successfully yourself. But I think you would be miles ahead if you had someone with you who has done it before. They will know details that you won't until you screw something up. For example, the reproduction trim clips don't always work. It's smart to test fit all your stainless in the clips before you install the glass. Repro glass is thinner than original glass, and reproduction weatherstripping for a windshield is a little thicker than the assembly line rubber.

Good luck. I charge $350 labor to remove and replace a mid-year windshield, and I believe I work very hard for it. Since you just need help with the installation, I'll bet you can find a professional nearby who will come over for a very reasonable price.

 

[wallyknoch]

Just think, you also could have broken the sucker! I know if it was mine, it probably would have. :L

Good luck,

 

[Ron Miller]

Proper Help

The sealer to use for mid-year windshields is 3M Bedding and Glazing Compound. It is a black goo in a tube that never hardens and remains sticky. You squirt it with a caulking gun. I've used this product since the seventies on Corvette windshields. Anyone who tells you to use a sealer that hardens is not speaking from experience. Well, at least not good experience.

Right on, I've done three or four myself with good results. I always put the sealer in both the glass & body channels, somewhat messy, but I like to be sure there's plenty there. And as Jerry says, you can always add more after the windshield is in place.

I believe at least part of your problem may be from using a butyl type sealer that indeed does set up, I wouldn't recommend at all on one of these older type windshields that fit into a gasket. As tight as it sets, you would probably never be able to remove your stainless trim (reveal mold) without damage should you have to replace the windshield at some future point in time.

Also, I wanted to recommend you see my & John Z's comments in "installing a windshield in a 65 . . ." in this forum. It's extremely helpful to have someone who has installed a fully gasketed windshield to help. They have a better idea of where & how much pressure can be used without breaking the glass. It can take quite a lot of pressure if it's not in a bind and is properly supported.

Lastly, Pam is indeed a good lubricant for such activities as this. Also useful to spray over the front of the car prior to making a night run when bugs may be a problem, makes their removal a lot easier in the morning. One more use for Pam!

 

[64VetteMania]

Step 18. Swear some more.
:L been there done that

 

[midyear]

Dont use sealer till you are done installing the windshield. To make the windshield/gasket easier to work with, spray it down with a spray lube like wd40 ect. Use a hook tool (a window clip removal tool will do if thats all you have) to assist in pulling the gasket over/under whatever is an obstacle. My personal preferance is to put the gasket on the windshield, then pop it in the car, bottom first and finish at the top corners (they act tough but will go in easily when lubed) I can usualy pop one in in well under 10 minutes. To seal afterwards, clean out lube (or you can wait a few days and it will evep) and use the tip to get under the w/s and apply.

 

[67HEAVEN]

The sealer to use for mid-year windshields is 3M Bedding and Glazing Compound. It is a black goo in a tube that never hardens and remains sticky. You squirt it with a caulking gun. I've used this product since the seventies on Corvette windshields. Anyone who tells you to use a sealer that hardens is not speaking from experience. Well, at least not good experience.

I also suggest the you apply the sealer after the windshield is in the car to minimize the mess. While you're installing the weatherstrip/glass using the pull string, lube it well with a light oil. Personally, I use spray Pam.

Yes, you can do this successfully yourself. But I think you would be miles ahead if you had someone with you who has done it before. They will know details that you won't until you screw something up. For example, the reproduction trim clips don't always work. It's smart to test fit all your stainless in the clips before you install the glass. Repro glass is thinner than original glass, and reproduction weatherstripping for a windshield is a little thicker than the assembly line rubber.

Good luck. I charge $350 labor to remove and replace a mid-year windshield, and I believe I work very hard for it. Since you just need help with the installation, I'll bet you can find a professional nearby who will come over for a very reasonable price.

Jerry,
Thanks for the info on the 3M goo to use. I found it listed as Bedding and Glazing Compound - Part #10-5965-8. I'll get a couple of tubes. Neither one of the pro shops I talked to were interested if sealer was involved. They all wanted to do it dry. Like I said earlier, now I can see why.

Ron,
Thanks for the referral to the other thread and the idea of spraying Pam for late night cruises.

Midyear,
Thanks for the suggestion on WD-40. I wonder which is easier to clean up -- Pam or WD-40?

Everyone,
Thanks for your comments........best wishes.......sympathy.......etc. I'd rather pull apart the IRS than install a windshield. Yuck!!! What a friggin' ........never mind, I already said that.

Now that I've calmed down a bit, I'm going to try again as soon as I get another gasket.

P.S. See Mac.......how calm I am.

 

[bossvette]

I learned at an early age not to mess with windshields, there was a girl I was dating when I was a young man who had a comet convertable with a cracked windshield. I said I could fix it for her cheaper then what the glass shop wanted. I got the old one out OK but busted the new (junkyard) one putting it in. The next one broke on the way back from the junkyard :cry and I eventually took it to a glass shop and payesd the bill. It was an expensive lesson at that time:L :L but she did get it fixed cheaper

 

[Mac]

P.S. See Mac.......how calm I am.

It's not in yet, is it? Remember, wrenchs aren't meant for throwing. :L

 

[Midyrcoupe]

And after it's all done, it will still leak...