Windshield replacement, Homebrew? Options

[y5e06]

Who has replaced their own windshield? I could save lots o' cash doing it myself.
I have a small crack starting in one my f-body windscreens.
Glass places stay an additional moulding piece is required and can't be reused.
can it be done w/o?

This post has been edited by y5e06: Oct 25 2005, 04:19 AM

[CMC #37]

Being in CMC I use el cheapo windshield guy several times a year for about $150. I would worry about doing this by oneself with a big piece of heavy glass. I think you need the gasket in a street car, in CMC we use some big clips to hold the windshield in.

[trackbird]

Pimpmaro just had one done on his fourth gen. They beat the crap out of the trim piece that runs next to the glass (up both sides) and are ordering a new one for him (it looks like it was installed by a band of monkeys with hammers). So, you may need that trim piece.

I can't say much on the rest of it.

[Soma07]

it looks like it was installed by a band of monkeys with hammers

From my experience a band of monkeys with hammers would do a better job than most glass guys. I am on my 3rd windshield in less than a year with my BMW and it still isn't right. "Quality" and "Attention to detail" simply don't exist in the auto glass industry. I'm guessing its because the tools to do windshield replacement are cheap so there really isn't anything stopping anybody from doing it and claiming to be a professional.

If you do have it replaced do yourself a favor and remove as much as the trim as possible before the guy gets there. Stuff like the windshield wipers, A-pilars, etc. This is where most of the damage was done to my car because the guy was too lazy to remove it correctly.

[Mojave]

Who has replaced their own windshield? I could save lots o' cash doing it myself.
I have a small crack starting in one my f-body windscreens.
Glass places stay an additional moulding piece is required and can't be reused.
can it be done w/o?

Thanks for the fun run Morgan! I want a CP car now......


And you don't need a windshield...thats what full face helmets are for...

[Cal]

I have been thinking about this also.

I had a chance to hang out at a glass shop and watch for a while. The guy doing it said all that trim stuff is just for looks and does nothing to seal the glass. The goop they glue the glass in with is what seals it.

I watched him place a windshield on a small car without any help. He held it with a sucktion cup handle, and just plopped it in place.

He said something about having to bolt-in plastic race glass.

[trackbird]

Harrs auto glass here in Columbus, OH did the 3 windshields in my 2000 GTI VR6 (retail, $1450 each, insurance company cost was $700+). They did outstanding until the last time when they put the wrong glass in the car (mine had rain sensing wipers and took special glass). Then VW and the glass company fought over it until my insurance company called the glass company and things suddenly got done. And, the final windshield was the correct one and the wipers worked again. I still recommend them, I think the glass was mismarked or they just installed the wrong one, but they did beautiful work every time (even picked the car up and dropped it off at my office). So, it's not a dead industry, but those guys are rare.

[Mojave]

(mine had rain sensing wipers and took special glass). Then VW and the glass company fought over it until my insurance company called the glass company and things suddenly got done. And, the final windshield was the correct one and the wipers worked again

Did you have problems knowing when/how to turn on the wipers yourself? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

[Pilot]

(mine had rain sensing wipers and took special glass). Then VW and the glass company fought over it until my insurance company called the glass company and things suddenly got done. And, the final windshield was the correct one and the wipers worked again

Did you have problems knowing when/how to turn on the wipers yourself? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

Too many levers for poor ol' Kevin.

Regarding the trim piece, I believe they're referring to the weatherstripping. While the goop/glue/gunk/whatever seals the window, the weatherstripping does add extra protection and also protects the edge of the glass from chipping (which, from what I understand, is where it is most vulnerable). The trim piece Trackbird was mentioning regarding my windshield install is the driver's side "rain gutter." They had to pull it to install the new window and trying to "push" it back in they beat the absolute crap out of it with a dead-blow.

[trackbird]

(mine had rain sensing wipers and took special glass). Then VW and the glass company fought over it until my insurance company called the glass company and things suddenly got done. And, the final windshield was the correct one and the wipers worked again

Did you have problems knowing when/how to turn on the wipers yourself? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

I could never tell when it was raining.....

Actually, every car should have them. When you came to a stop, they slowed down. When you took off and started getting spray, they sped up. If you forgot to turn them off, they just "parked" (they didn't stay up on the glass like ours) and if you hit a puddle, they'd swipe right away. It was a great system, something we could all use, it really was.

[GlennCMC70]

if the glass was $65 would that convince you guys to do it yourselves?

[y5e06]

don't forget the $4 for the window goo......

Did you have to do yours yet Glenn?

[#07]

I have removed the front windshield in the race car,but I replaced with lexan. Removing the glass I broke it all up,it was kind of a pain shards popping all over.
The problem was,that the windshield removal tools' blade doesnt quite reach past the the bead of glue when cutting.And I got one of the better tools. The bead tends to wander from the edge of glass in areas also (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant2.gif) in the cowl area. No way the stipping would have gone back on.

In my street car I also had the insurance take care of that one and had a pro do it worst I had was a bit of the glue on the paint..I see I got lucky. They replaced the stripping around windshield mentioned it required. That is one pricey windshield,I was gratefull insurance did it (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Cal]

(mine had rain sensing wipers and took special glass). Then VW and the glass company fought over it until my insurance company called the glass company and things suddenly got done. And, the final windshield was the correct one and the wipers worked again

Did you have problems knowing when/how to turn on the wipers yourself? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

I could never tell when it was raining.....

Actually, every car should have them. When you came to a stop, they slowed down. When you took off and started getting spray, they sped up. If you forgot to turn them off, they just "parked" (they didn't stay up on the glass like ours) and if you hit a puddle, they'd swipe right away. It was a great system, something we could all use, it really was.

I have a different kind of automatic windshield wippers that weight much less: RainX

This post has been edited by Cal: Oct 26 2005, 10:29 PM