This afternoon a mobile glass outfit cold-called, prospecting for business. Just for grins, I asked how much to remove my '65's windshield and reinstall it after I do some work on the sheet metal. The guy from the "service dept." said: "we don't service those because, due to the pinch weld (or something like that), the windshield is too likely to be damaged".

Was he just blowing smoke up my tailpipe or what? I removed the rear window from a '64 El Camino at pic-a-part years ago, but i have never removed a windshield. I used a piece of piano wire to cut through the stickum on the '64 rear glass and as I recall it worked out OK. I still have that piece stashed somewhere (I hope) in case I ever need one.

I really should have a new windshield, but i would hate to bust the old one while getting it out.

Opinions and actual experiences with a 64-67 would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My 65 widshield was installed wrong and had to be removed. Yea, I cracked it, but it was from being in a hurry and the new stickum was really sticky and kept resticking. If I had waited for an extra hand I wouldn't have been there. They come out just like all the others if you're careful. I found a local glass place that had one for $117.00 installed. I asked the girl at the desk to recheck the price, and thats what it cost. What a deal! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif


TC Member#494
65 Malibu SS convertible
in beautiful Evening Orchid

I had mine removed on my 66. It had been replaced years ago, is in great shape & I did not want to break it as I have never removed one or seen it done. A glass guy came out & removed it using wire to cut the sealant. It cost $40 to remove & another $40 to re-install when I'm ready. $80 might seem like a lot, BUT all the molding pieces were removed without damaging them, windshield did not break, & I learned something as I was there to watch. Had I attempted, it could have cost considerbly more if I damaged moldings & broke the windshield.

Something else to consider when people inquire about the cost of things: prices vary depending on where you live. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I expect to pay more, especially for labor. I called around for a new windshield in case mine broke & the best I could find was about $150 installed.

Mike Sibbitt
66 396 SS

I went to visit my car at the body shop yesterday and was told the windshield needs to come out. Their method is to get an old metal spatula and heat it with a propane torch and slip it up between the glass and the body to release the seal. I'm glad to hear I can still get a new windshield in case I break this one before I get it out.

JJ 65,

They're full of doo-doo. I've removd a few windshields from 1965's for friends and each time I used a guitar string (I can't remember the gauge but it's not the thinnest guitar string on a guitar but the next thinest... 20 gauge sounds right). I took my time and cut the seals and had two people help me lift them out. One person from the inside pushes slowly and the other two manage the side edges from the outside and then lift it right out.

Never saw a "pinch weld".

Bill

Yeah, I got the same response once when mine needed to be resealed. The glass guy, in business for years, said he couldnt because of how fragile the old glass was, and removing it was too hard to do. He said he would probably break it. I asked if I could do the job, and he said "certainly not". He just didnt want to do it I believe. I went home, used the spatula technique (the guitar string is better)and pulled it and resealed it with no problems. Then did the rear as well. Oh well...what do we know... http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

------------------
Tony C.
65 Extreme Machine
350/350 4.11 Street

I gotta tell you the glass shop is just covering their butt, and I don't blame them. The windshield is hard to remove on one of these old cars where it hasn't been touched in 30 years. I myself removed a few with a cut out knife before I was told "that will NEVER work", now that I know it is the wrong way to do it, I'd probably break the glass for sure. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif
And I gotta tell you, if you are pulling the windshield and the old one is even a little bit crummy, I'd replace it. There is nothing that gives that "brand new car" feeling more than a looking out a NEW windshield. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

------------------
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T

I can never seem to get an extra set of hand when I need it, so developed MY way to remover early GM glass. ( same as MARTINSR )
I cut mine out. I have an old linoleum knife
and a hand full of wood shim wedges.
remove the inside headliner trim and cut around the permitter. At some point you are able to LIGHTLY apply pressure and insert a wedge. This being the starting point it's cut cut around and wedge out the glass .
a little at a time.just take your time and
it's not a problem.

------------------
Wayne
ACES 1556
TCG 186
So many Mustangs
So Little Time

there is a special tool that make it very easy. The one I have used the most is called a cold knife. I got it from a Napa auto parts store(I have seen them all over though)You take off the molding of course, then stick the knife in the channel, turn the knife towards the window (this breaks the seal from window to body.)Use a lot of WD-40 or any other lube. The main thing to do is keep pushing down on the tool will pulling it. This will make sense when you see and use the tool.

------------------
SS 327 65 malibu
SF CA
1965 SS
There is Nothing like An SS Made your way
65 SS Chevelle (http://www.quake3hut.com/ruin/car.jpg)