CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Flowjoe on March 29, 2007, 08:05:24 PM

Title: installing windshields
Post by: Flowjoe on March 29, 2007, 08:05:24 PM
How do you guys install windshields (and back glasses for that matter) so that they achieve a stock height and appearance?  I know that urethane is the best for sealing but I hear that it is difficult to get the height correct.  Butyl is  a pain but comes in a 3/8" bead plus no one seems to make/cary a pinch weld primer thta is compatible with butyl.

What did the factory use?
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: JohnZ on March 30, 2007, 03:29:18 PM
The factory used a "dam" and Thiokol pumpable adhesive with different silane primers on the glass and on the body opening flanges, which changed to urethane pumpable adhesive in the 70's. GM never used butyl in production, as it won't pass the MVSS 208 Frontal Impact Windshield Retention requirement, and the Thiokol or Urethane adhesive design makes the windshield and backlite structural parts, improving body torsional stiffness. Some glass shops use butyl for replacement glass because it's quick and cheap, but it's technically illegal. The factory rubber spacer blocks established the windshield height for correct flush fit of the reveal moldings to the glass surface.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff68 on March 30, 2007, 04:09:59 PM
How/where do we go about finding the proper rubber spacer blocks?  My replacement windshield was installed with butyl and all the moldings seemed to fit very well, so I guess it was at the correct height.  Now, the windshield has been removed for body work.  I would like to have it re-installed correctly, so I am curious where to get the proper parts.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: Flowjoe on March 30, 2007, 04:13:39 PM
Thanks a bunch John...as always, you are the man.

I have a some follow up questions:

1) what is the best way to replace glass on a current restoration?  By that I mean materials (I assume urethane) and can I do it by myself.  I don't trust a lot of these replacement glass guys so I'm trying to get an idea of what to look for when searching a company out.

2) Is there a source for the rubber blocks that establish height?  I've never noticed any when removing windshields so don't know what or where I am looking for them

Super interesting stuff on structural integrity...I never knew that...nor the front impact info.  Makes me think twice about the cars that I have with butyl in them now (installed years ago by myself).

Thanks again and thanks in advance
Joe
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: bbd564 on March 31, 2007, 02:52:19 PM
Since we are talking about windshields, isn't there supposed to be a "ribbon" cloth tape that goes between the glass and the adhesive strip.  I have seen this on original cars, but never have I seen this on cars where the glass has been replaced or reinstalled.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: JohnZ on March 31, 2007, 04:09:56 PM
Since we are talking about windshields, isn't there supposed to be a "ribbon" cloth tape that goes between the glass and the adhesive strip.  I have seen this on original cars, but never have I seen this on cars where the glass has been replaced or reinstalled.

That's the "dam" I mentioned above; it's cloth-reinforced, and was glued to the glass just inboard of the adhesive before the adhesive was applied; it's intended to prevent any adhesive "squeeze-out" from being visible past the edges of the garnish moldings from inside the car.

Any auto glass shop will have the spacer blocks that set the height of the windshield and backlite glass.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff68 on April 01, 2007, 12:38:06 AM
So, if the glass is being installed by a professional, will they know the proper spacer to use or do they need to be told?
Also, is there such thing as a replacement "dam" that can be used for a correct installation?
Sorry to keep beating this subject to death, but I would very much like to have my windshield 'correctly' installed.  It always bothered me that I could previously see the butyl ribbon along the bottom of my windshield. 
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: Jonesy on April 01, 2007, 01:52:20 AM
My glass guy did mine and also made sure the chrome trim went on. Thats why I had a guy who does this every day do mine.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: Flowjoe on April 04, 2007, 04:00:28 AM
The trick is (like with most of these sorts of things) to find a guy who knows older cars...and gives a hoot about his work.  Too many giuys are fast talkers and "adept" at doing new cars...would never admit to knowing next to nothing about old cars...and don't care if you will be a repeat customer.  It takes really good referrals from people you trust and a little trial and error to find quality automotive profesionals.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: 69Z28X33 on April 04, 2007, 11:49:50 AM
How do you guys install windshields (and back glasses for that matter) so that they achieve a stock height and appearance?  I know that urethane is the best for sealing but I hear that it is difficult to get the height correct.  Butyl is  a pain but comes in a 3/8" bead plus no one seems to make/cary a pinch weld primer thta is compatible with butyl.

What did the factory use?
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: Flowjoe on April 07, 2007, 10:11:35 PM
How do you guys install windshields (and back glasses for that matter) so that they achieve a stock height and appearance?  I know that urethane is the best for sealing but I hear that it is difficult to get the height correct.  Butyl is  a pain but comes in a 3/8" bead plus no one seems to make/cary a pinch weld primer thta is compatible with butyl.

What did the factory use?
????????
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff g on April 12, 2007, 01:49:21 AM
 Hey, folk's just joined CRG's forum I own a small auto glass shop in N.E. PA.  called First Class Auto Glass Inc. I have a dam that is 95% correct for all GM after they changed from rubber gasket set to "adhesive caulked glass" check your 69 Service manual. the only thing that is diffrent is that the factory's had a flap on one side of the dam that got embedded is the adhesive mine dosn't have the flap but since you can't see it unless the glass is removed it look's perfect, has the cloth type tape as well  i'm not too good with computers but I'll try and post some pic's of car's that I've done with it. and could offer my service's or set you up with a kit to do both front and rear glass.  give me a call or send me a e mail 570 344 8798 It will transfer to my cell if not at the shop
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: Flowjoe on April 12, 2007, 03:10:23 AM
Post some photos and details ...I'd be interested in seeing what you are doing.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff g on April 13, 2007, 02:21:08 AM
(http://)http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s122/jeffscamaro/ here are some pic's
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff g on April 13, 2007, 02:57:43 AM
hope the pic's are  ok. ( my buddy had to talk me thru the photo bucket deal on the phone) the glass in ang's camaro was done by the book . "V" notch bead 1/4 inch wide 3/16 tall. also note that on original cars that i've seen you will see a hint of the dam all the way around the glass. molding's are tight to the glass. no squeeze out on the inside. took about 3 hr's for both front and back
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: Flowjoe on April 20, 2007, 03:03:19 AM
Some how I missed your response until now...sorry.  What are you looking to get for a kit and what all is included?
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff g on April 21, 2007, 12:33:14 AM
You will get 2 Tube's of ADDCO Titan Urethane Adhesive (this is a non conductive /high modulus urethane ) 1 Bottle of pinch weld primer 2 roll's of closed cell foam dam  enough for front and back glass and detailed instructions i'll pre cut 2 tip's to the correct size and supply you with some extras if needed. If $100.00 w /shipping included is fair let me know. Need about a week's leed time on a kit. I'll try to get some close up pic's of the dam this weekend. the car in the pic's is my friend Angelo Rudlophi's 67 it's a base model 327/4 speed car that's getting a 468 big block 4 speed 12 bolt swap the hood is an original Baldwin Motion off a 68 Motion that a guy on his street owned back in the 70's He has the  motion wheel's also  thank's
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff68 on April 21, 2007, 11:59:56 AM
jeff g-
Do you use the spacer blocks mentioned above by JohnZ when you install a windshield, or do you rely solely on the dam to set the height of the glass?  How thick and how wide is the dam?

Also, does the dam get mounted to the body or to the glass?  I'm wondering how you know where to put the dam in order to have it look consistent all the way around.

Thanks for your help,
Jeff
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: JohnZ on April 21, 2007, 08:55:47 PM
The dam is applied to the glass before the adhesive is applied to the glass.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff g on April 22, 2007, 03:24:33 AM
the dam set's the height. the spacer blocks  john z is talking about might be from years ago when most glass shop's  used ESSEX U400 Urethane this was real runny almost like silicone and you woulkd use the blocks to hold the glass at the corrrect height. As for installing the dam I will mark the outside of the glass with whitness mark's or 3/4 masking tape after it is dry fit and square to the car. You want the dam about 1/4 inch in from the edge of the glass. bye applying the tape you get a nice straight line to work with when you install the dam on the inside of the glass. once the dam is installed reinstall glass dry and set the stop's at the bottom of the glass mark them with tape or a sharpie marker and your ready for the adhesive.
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: gothiccustoms on April 22, 2007, 08:36:13 AM
IN OHIO YOU HAVE TO USE URATHANE . THEY WILL NOT LET GLASS COMPANIES USE OLD SCHOOL BUTYL. SO CHECK WITH YOUR STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff68 on April 22, 2007, 02:24:16 PM
jeff g-
I sent you a PM regarding ordering an installation kit.
-Jeff
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: jeff g on April 23, 2007, 11:19:23 AM
got it. talk to you when you call thanks         
  - jeff
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: 1slow64 on January 08, 2014, 07:36:36 PM
subscribed
Title: Re: installing windshields
Post by: scoop on January 09, 2014, 03:47:57 AM
I just finished installing my windshield and back glass with Jeffs kit. It worked great and looks great. I would highly recommend it!  Thanks, Scoop