Rear glass removal…?

[The Seer]

The rear glass needs to come out for restoration reasons and eventually the windshield too.

I’ve had a look via YouTube on how to remove bonded glass. The toolpro windscreen remover gets some bad comments but it seemed to work for a guy with a ‘67 Firebird, maybe worth a go?

This is my first restoration and I’ve never tackled glass removal before. I wondered if you guys had any suggestions regarding tools needed and techniques? Or maybe I should hire someone to do it?

Thanks

 

[Twisted_Metal]

Do you plan to replace the glass with new or reuse these pieces?
(I ask because glass and shipping to the UK is probably quite expensive.)

If you are reusing them... I would hire someone to remove it for you.
They would be less likely to damage it than someone who has never done the job before.

Take pics and measurements of how the trim fits and how the glass sits in the channel before it's removed.
You will want it installed exactly the same depth/position so the trim fits the body and glass properly.

 

[doug m]

1st time i ever did it, my son and i used this, right or wrong i was surprised at how easy it went. https://www.ebay.com/itm/285134175363?hash=item4263523c83:g:85wAAOSwLNpj3poO&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA4PtrffRuu6bCAnVp+X9ZKOi7TkYAto0haQJebBUjS2q71zX63QtRJxYniV1IwoY5XXjTf/8cVCoO3W7hoM0s860/qaIAsd1ts+L7Nitb9+3P6tj1tJi93ZVZG3M0NbtdT2FXORcmzDfnTzmuoznBBYJ21M+zipDLBA9v+X0Rjkdr4Wn5USofdRLPFe7btpbSfapnAddEamLM537t2qFhdAPtOdyNAHlM4lYAslJrzkEqnwOLJAN94VQdFG7ZqV+LsLsV9Xx0iAGdGddy9781V0MFFgotj2tyLVtuGU/5Z5Vp|tkp:Bk9SR4LKxufDYQ still have 3/4ths of the roll left.

 

[Twisted_Metal]

^ I've done it with the wire too.

If you do it yourself...

Make sure all inside and outside trim is removed.
The wire gets hot and can leave burns and gooey, melted sealer on the plastic trim pieces.

AND... Don't forget to disconnect the windshield antenna.

 

[bones57]

^ I've done it with the wire too.

If you do it yourself...

Make sure all inside and outside trim is removed.
The wire gets hot and can leave burns and gooey, melted sealer on the plastic trim pieces.

AND... Don't forget to disconnect the windshield antenna.

^^ it’s a 2 person job one inside the car and one outside and go slow especially at the corners.

 

[FS87LT]

IF you've never done it before, it might be good to find an automotive glass shop to do the job. Watch how they do it and learn from that. Letting them do it also means that if the glass gets cracked, it's theirs, not yours to pay for. Plus a guarantee on the labor against future leaks.

In any event, you might plan on a new glass anyway rather than an old one, letting them get the glass and install it as a package deal.

It might also be that some of the orig sealer has aged and is in the process of releasing from the glass, which makes it easier to get out. IF you might see some little "blocks" of rubber at the bottom of the glass, those are there for positioning purposes when the orig glass was installed. Re-use them if possible. A good glass installer can see where things need to be, visually, and place the glass as it needs to be, first time. Getting it centered in the "hole". Once there, the glass stays put, if quality OEM-level sealer is used.

 

[grzewnicki]

And when re-installing, butyl tape is not the proper way to do it. GM used a Thiokol adhesive that bonded the glass to the metal frame, today a urethane is used. But it has a tendency to let the glass sink into it if rubber blocks to hold the glass at the right height are not used during install. Best left to a professional, trust me, I'm going to be having the front and rear galss done in my car due to it sitting so low there is a gap under the trim, getting tons of dirt and leaves collecting under there. I'll be searching out a good installer.

 

[The Seer]

Do you plan to replace the glass with new or reuse these pieces?
(I ask because glass and shipping to the UK is probably quite expensive.)

If you are reusing them... I would hire someone to remove it for you.
They would be less likely to damage it than someone who has never done the job before.

Take pics and measurements of how the trim fits and how the glass sits in the channel before it's removed.
You will want it installed exactly the same depth/position so the trim fits the body and glass properly.

Yeah, the shipping wouldn’t be pleasant to the U.K.

I’m intending to keep the glass, it’s hard to say if it’s original or not but the condition is good with no chips or cracks.

Thanks for the heads up about the particulars when it comes to time to re install. I will certainly make a note and take photos as you recommend, I don’t want for any headaches when fitting the trim.

There’s a few windscreen specialists in the Essex area, I’ll make enquiries tomorrow about a home visit

 

[The Seer]

1st time i ever did it, my son and i used this, right or wrong i was surprised at how easy it went. https://www.ebay.com/itm/285134175363?hash=item4263523c83:g:85wAAOSwLNpj3poO&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA4PtrffRuu6bCAnVp+X9ZKOi7TkYAto0haQJebBUjS2q71zX63QtRJxYniV1IwoY5XXjTf/8cVCoO3W7hoM0s860/qaIAsd1ts+L7Nitb9+3P6tj1tJi93ZVZG3M0NbtdT2FXORcmzDfnTzmuoznBBYJ21M+zipDLBA9v+X0Rjkdr4Wn5USofdRLPFe7btpbSfapnAddEamLM537t2qFhdAPtOdyNAHlM4lYAslJrzkEqnwOLJAN94VQdFG7ZqV+LsLsV9Xx0iAGdGddy9781V0MFFgotj2tyLVtuGU/5Z5Vp|tkp:Bk9SR4LKxufDYQ still have 3/4ths of the roll left.

Thanks for link I was considering doing the job myself but I think it might best left to a specialist

 

[The Seer]

^ I've done it with the wire too.

If you do it yourself...

Make sure all inside and outside trim is removed.
The wire gets hot and can leave burns and gooey, melted sealer on the plastic trim pieces.

AND... Don't forget to disconnect the windshield antenna.

Could you advise as to where the antenna is disconnected?