Hello
I was wondering if anyone has sucesfully removed a windshield? and what is the best tool fvor the job?
Thank you

 

I have not removed a windshield b4. But from what iv herd, sometimes you have to go to such lengths as using piano wire.

 

That comfirms what I've always heard.
Thanks bro

 

+1 on the piano wire method if you want to save the windshield. I tried one of those "windshield removal" tools from HF. It removed the windshield all right. The best part was that the resulting pieces of windshield were very easy to transport.

 

I used to work at a few audio shops that also did glass.

#1 and most import is your going to shatter it if you remove it so I hope your not removing for reasons other than it already being broke.

Generally for a windshield we would use a combination of tools.
We would start with a tool that looks like a sawzall but has a razor type blade on it with a sheath that it retracts in to as its working.
Then once you can get a piano / guitar string in between the glass you would use a tool with said string and handles on each end with a helper inside of the car.

Im sure people seriously underestimate how hard it is to get a windshield out so I am going to tell you up front its a bitch. The adhesive that holds it in is very hard and strong, its not like silicone for you home windows at all.
Once its out you will want to take a scraping style razor blade and get a nice smooth flat surface.

MAKE SURE YOU SAND ANY AND ALL RUST
Before putting in the new windows you will need to buy a special primer style paint. Its even used on new cars but extremely important when replacing glass. It comes in a small can with a brush and your gonna want to wear rubber gloves because it does NOT COME OFF YOUR HANDS. It will stain in them for weeks until you slowly sweat it out and shed the top layer of your skin or whatever magically makes it disappear over time.
After that you will need to apply the new windshield seal which I couldnt imagine doing without the electric caulking gun because it is sooooooo ******* hard to get out of the tube PLUS YOU NEED A CONSISTANT EVEN BEAD.

This isnt something you can just "wing it". I have seen them leak with brand new windshields many times from not paying attention and carelessness.

You only need a few pieces of masking tape to hold it in place after it is set in, you can remove the tape after 24-48 hrs then perform a leak test.

Good luck

 

Tools

http://www.aegistools.com/catalog/Po...ard-Kit-EM145/

http://www.aegistools.com/catalog/Ma...ty-Cold-Knife/

http://www.aegistools.com/catalog/Ur...ulk-Gun-300ML/

I Highly suggest grabbing the Ultrawiz because its so cheap.


Looks like they have a hand pump style gun for cheap but have fun with that. You will in the least need one of these because a standard caulk gun probably would bend or break.
http://www.aegistools.com/catalog/Ur...Cartridge-Gun/

 

Ack I can stop posting !!!!!!


J/K, but seriously dont forget to study up on tip cutting for the urethane. Its imperative to cut a proper tip for the correct bead width and height.

I cant explain how to do this, you need to actually see it so search.

 

Well actually I want to remove it from one car and put it in another.
Thank you for your time Bro.

 

Hahahahaha never gonna happen

 

btw- if you do pull it off it will definitely leak cause u wont be able to lean the old one good enough without cracking it.

 

Well I might just hire a pro. I got a few prices beetween $75-$100 no gurantee it won't break .$25 if it does[for time and gas they say] as far as installation on my car I'm not worried about any leaks if I use the right stuff.

 

it is pretty hard to do, ive broken a few at the junkyard, i was able to get one winsheild out one of my parts car fc, and use it, but desided to have a professional install it.

i used a razor to cut a small hole, then i used thin guitar strings, and a couple of screw drivers wraped arouind the ends, with me on the inside and my dad on the outside slowly going around, its pretty tricky cause if u have the wrong angle with the string u can chip the edge of the window and that will in many cases cause a crack to form and ruin the glass...

my advice go to a pick-a-part junkyard where the attendants are not around, and practice on some cars there worst case u ruin winsheilds that no one was gonna use anyway...

i think i destroyed like 4 ford tempo windsheilds there one time LOL

 

You can easily remove the windsheild and install it on another car without leaking, i did it on my rx7.
for the removal i used piano wire and a drill bit.
drill a small hole in the rubber seal, push some wire through it and the have someone on the inside of the car and someone on the outside and you basically push and pull creating a sawing motion to cut through the entire seal.

 

installation isnt that hard either, it just seems like us do it at home guys would screw something up but its really simple.

 

The first and only windshield i removed was on a parts car and my friends wife said we couldnt do it without breaking it. We used some thin wire my friend had in his truck and after a few peices it was out and not broke.

 

saw some professionals do it one time. It did not look easy.

 

I do auto glass.

 

The drilling a hole through the rubber seal makes a lot of sense because It seems like they usually break in the first part[getting the wire through] I wish I could help pull it out but the windshield is located in Tallahasse Fl .glass will be coming out off a 10th ae . my friend will be doing the removing of it and then shipp it Dallas Tx, but that's another story lol.. Thank you all for your help guys.

 

I actually needed a new windshield and didn't even consider a donor window from another car...The whole process just seems to not be worth it. I don't know what the circumstances here were but I just spent my 200 bucks and have a new one professionally installed.

 

I'm just trying to keep the car all original by replacing it with the original bronze windshield,which by the way is imposible to find.



[QUOTE=fliaznguy;10041951]I actually needed a new windshield and didn't even consider a donor window from another car...The whole process just seems to not be worth it. I don't know what the circumstances here were but I just spent my 200 bucks and have a new one professionally installed.

 

Ah, I see. I keep hearing about those but I haven't ever seen one. I'm new to RX7s in general. Just got mine a couple of weeks ago.

 

Well in this first part i didnt actually use a drill i just twisted the bit through the rubber by hand.
The process seams overwelling but after seeing someone do it or doing it yourself its not too difficult.

 

if you break a windshield removing it you did it wrong

 

HARBOR FREIGHT sells a kit for removing windshields. FYI