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My 66 Coupe is now in for paint. I have the original windsheild still in the car. It has the usual road rash and some light wiper marks. So I want to replace it at this time. Does this glass have any value to warrant keeping it for resale or for somebody that could really use it? Do you have to remove any INSIDE mouldings around the windsheild to replace the gasket with the new glass?
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Re: Windsheild Replacement
Dennis - I don't know if originality is an issue with your car, but assuming it is, in my opinion the windshield would be valuable to its owner. In regard to whether someone else would place a value on the windshield, that depends on several factors. Obviously, the better the condition of the windshield, the more valuable. Some of the other factors to consider is the date on the windshield and whether it is tinted or non-tinted. If you absolutely can't live with its present condition, replace it with a new one and save the original. Paragon carries reproduction windshields with L.O.F. logo and date. In regard to the procedure used to replace the window, there is an article in the Restorer that discusses this issue. You might also want to check the NCRS archives. If you are interested in selling the windshield, I'm presently restoring my 66 427/390 back to original for show and I'm looking for an original windshield with the correct date and logo. All windows except my windshield are original with the correct dates. Hope this helps. Hector -
Re: Windsheild Replacement
Yup, the inside garnish moldings need to come off so you'll have clearance to pull the rope; no big thing - just a bunch of phillips screws.Comment
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Re: Windsheild Replacement
Pull the windshield BEFORE painting so that you can make any repairs/sealing to the opening.... especially if you have experienced any leaks. Then you'll have the paint in the correct areas.
Good luck.Comment
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Re: Windsheild Replacement
Dennis,
If the defects on your original windshield bother you, I'd replace it with a same dated reproduction, and put yours away.Comment
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Re: Windsheild Replacement
I have heard that the reproduction tinted windshields do not accurately replicate the original tinting. Probably not a big deduction, but something to be aware of.
Regarding the light wiper marks on your original windshield, my car had extensive wiper marks when I bought it. None of the scratches were deep, but they covered about 40% of the area swept by the wipers.
I decided to try a windshield polishing kit (from Eastwood, I think). This consisted of a jar of polishing compound and a special pad mounted on a mandrel. In theory you can use the mandrel in a drill, but in practice a right angle, variable speed grinder yields much better stability for the mandrel and pad.
The process is very slow because you can crack the glass if it gets too hot, so you have to proceed slowly. It took me several hours to complete the entire windshield.
However, I was astounded at how the polishing process removed every trace of the wiper marks. There are now no visible scratches in my windshield, from any angle and in any lighting. I still have the usual pitting from small stones and such, but these are not bad enough to be objectionable.
So, if your main concern is the light scratches from the wipers, it would probably be possible to polish them out yourself or have it done by a professional.Comment
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Re: Windsheild Replacement
I have had great success with this. I would try it before replacing the windshield that is original. I use fireplace glass haze remover. Sort of looks like liquid rubbing compound and have a very very fine abrasive in it. You can purchase it at hardware store and stove shops. I would try a stove shop. I squirt it on and buff it with a small circular pad on a mandrel with my electric drill. I have used a pneumatic disk sander with the soft pad also but it tends to run too fast. Keep the glass wet and work the entire glass. Stop and feel the glass from time to time to make sure it is not getting too hot. I have never had one crack but if you over heat it, it will. So, keep it wet. There are other product on the web that use chemicals to soften the glass as you buff. I would be temped to try them also. They claim great results. I would not replace the glass. TerryComment
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