Anyone sell new windshields for 69 Polara?

[polarnj]

My body guy is having trouble removing the windshield surround moldings since someone siliconed and glued it in there pretty tight. He said removing the moldings might damage the window, so before I start I'd like to know if I can get a new windshield if it cracks.

Unfortunately, I'm a bit stuck since I've had the whole roof repaired and ready for vinyl except for this sticking point

 

[azblackhemi]

Vintage Glass sells them. Good product but expensive when you add in the shipping. I bought one for a member here 6 months ago and the glass was around $465 and shipping was $300. With instalation it's right at a grand.

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

Try this guy

Classic Auto Glass - Bob's Classic Auto Glass

High-quality vintage auto glass & restoration parts for classic cars at Bob's Classic Auto Glass. Explore our catalog of classic glass.

bobsclassicautoglass.com

 

[polarnj]

Thx everyone, this is a "just in case" scenario

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

Thx everyone, this is a "just in case" scenario

I had a good experience years back when I bought glass for my 1962 Dodge. You might also want to reach out to Bill fury. he has a lot of C body parts and may have glass.

 

[3C's & a D?]

Body guys aren't necessarily glass guys. If your current windshield is good, an experienced glass guy should be able to remove it without damage. When I did glass I was called to a few body shops to do glass removals and later installations. Might be worth a call?

And depending on the severity of the offending silicone, the moldings might get twisted or bent. These moldings are actually pretty easy to come by, I have several back up sets in my parts hoard.

 

[polarnj]

Body guys aren't necessarily glass guys. If your current windshield is good, an experienced glass guy should be able to remove it without damage. When I did glass I was called to a few body shops to do glass removals and later installations. Might be worth a call?

And depending on the severity of the offending silicone, the moldings might get twisted or bent. These moldings are actually pretty easy to come by, I have several back up sets in my parts hoard.

yeah, I'm not worried about the moldings as much as damaging the windshield. Can that happen if the moldings are really stuck in there?

Without removing the moldings I can't put another vinyl roof on (at least I don't think so)

 

[413]

Body guys aren't necessarily glass guys. If your current windshield is good, an experienced glass guy should be able to remove it without damage. When I did glass I was called to a few body shops to do glass removals and later installations. Might be worth a call?

And depending on the severity of the offending silicone, the moldings might get twisted or bent. These moldings are actually pretty easy to come by, I have several back up sets in my parts hoard.

Very true, but a glass guy of today doesn't have to deal with metal trim around the glass. It's all held together with urethane. Cut it out and toss it, install everything new. Try asking a current glass guy about doing glass in gaskets like our 60's mopars, most won't even consider it.

Trying to take off trim and glass that is drenched in sealer is no easy task no matter how much skill and patients the person has.

 

[polarnj]

Very true, but a glass guy of today doesn't have to deal with metal trim around the glass. It's all held together with urethane. Cut it out and toss it, install everything new. Try asking a current glass guy about doing glass in gaskets like our 60's mopars, most won't even consider it.

Trying to take off trim and glass that is drenched in sealer is no easy task no matter how much skill and patients the person has.

How exactly do you get them off without damaging the glass? Maybe applying a heat gun or something?

 

[3C's & a D?]

Heat (unless extreme) won't help if it is silicone. Urethane will respond to heat. Trouble is getting to the clips covered in whatever it is. The bottom trim is screwed on, no clips, so that's the first one to come off. Might need an exacto blade going straight down to cut the gunk out. Then exacto straight down around the trim and body deep into the channel. Then around the trim and the windshield keeping the blade against the trim. Start with the sides, trying to wiggle up and down. No luck? Bend the bottom of the trim up with vice grips, then keeping the grips on, gentle hammer time. Same for the two top ones, except wiggle side to side.

 

[polarnj]

Heat (unless extreme) won't help if it is silicone. Urethane will respond to heat. Trouble is getting to the clips covered in whatever it is. The bottom trim is screwed on, no clips, so that's the first one to come off. Might need an exacto blade going straight down to cut the gunk out. Then exacto straight down around the trim and body deep into the channel. Then around the trim and the windshield keeping the blade against the trim. Start with the sides, trying to wiggle up and down. No luck? Bend the bottom of the trim up with vice grips, then keeping the grips on, gentle hammer time. Same for the two top ones, except wiggle side to side.

Thx for the info, No need to do the bottom trim, I only need to get the top one off so I can have a vinyl roof installed.

 

[3C's & a D?]

You may be able to mangle the two tops ones off, however to get them on properly you have to go in the reverse sequence I described for removal. The two tops go on first, sides second and lastly bottom. The sides also need to come off to do the vinyl roof correctly.

The question then is, why did a previous owner fill the trim and voids with silicone? The answer is simple, it was leaking. Why? Rusted out bottom channel, very common problem with these cars. If it's in a body shop right now, and you're working on the roof, there couldn't be a better time to tackle this.

 

[polarnj]

Yeah, probably true but my body shop guy doesn't want to take the chance of damaging the window

 

[3C's & a D?]

I understand his position completely. He might not want the extra work of repairing the channel either. I don't know how much work you're having done, but if it's not done right it won't last long.

I'd look around for a reputable glass shop to remove and replace the windshield at the body shop, this is common practice and is definitely worth it. And just so you aren't surprised, no shop can absolutely guarantee to get it out unharmed. That's why you need a good glass guy.

 

[polarnj]

I understand his position completely. He might not want the extra work of repairing the channel either. I don't know how much work you're having done, but if it's not done right it won't last long.

I'd look around for a reputable glass shop to remove and replace the windshield at the body shop, this is common practice and is definitely worth it. And just so you aren't surprised, no shop can absolutely guarantee to get it out unharmed. That's why you need a good glass guy.

Yeah I'm in a bit of a pickle here. Having the whole rear section around the window fixed, which is almost all done, and now I find out I can't put any vinyl on until i get those stupid moldings off and potentially damage the windshield.

So a glass guy can come right to the body shop and take care of the front stuff?

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

So a glass guy can come right to the body shop and take care of the front stuff?

I'm surprised your body shop does not have a glass guy they deal with. When I had my 62 Dodge at the MAACO in Perth Amboy, they had a glass guy come in to remove and re-install all the glass. Generally, body shops have a need for that and have someone they use. If not, check around for a "mobile" glass guy. What part of New Jersey are you located? I'm on Staten Island and can refer you to a guy near the Outerbridge Crossing on SI. I know he has the capability to do that work.