My stang need a new windshield and theres one for sale locally for cheap. Has anyone ever done this? Should i try to attempt it myself or should i just get a new one installed professionally?
Ive done it a few times and honestly its not worth doing but can be done.
Its a major PITA to do and half the time the windshield breaks anyway.
I accidentally broke two windshields when I was pulling them for a '97 Cutlass Supreme I had. I finally ended up paying $200 to get one installed.
Ive probably pulled 20 windshields for a friend's demolition derby cars over the past few years and even when you dont care about breaking the windshield (garbage anyway) its a pain.
If you do decide to do it yourself anyway, get a windshield knife (long narrow handled knife with a razorblade on the end) and cut up and down the inside of part of the sealer. Then once you have a hole all the way thru take some windshield removal wire (piano wire should also work) and run it thru the hole and put a pair of vice grips on each end. Have somebody grab the other pair and both of you use a sawing motion to cut the sealer. Spray WD40 up and down the seam to loosen the sealer a bit. Stop and rest if you see smoke from the friction of sawing.
Its really a pain and time consuming this way but it does work. Ive successfully pulled off a few windshields this way (but also broke a few).
Once the old one is out you need to remove all the sealer that remains along the windshield frame. If theres anything left the new windshield wont seal right.
If theres any bare metal apply some paint or atleast primer to the spots to prevent rust.
Youre going to need atleast two tubes of sealer and a caulk gun to hold the new windshield on. Have somebody else help you.
Lightly rest the windshield in place and move it around until it lines up. Once its in the right place lightly tap around it to seal it down. Then apply strips of masking tape (preferably 2") to the glass on the sides and top and tightly tape them to the body. Allow the tape to sit overnight and then pull it off gently. Dont drive the car for atleast 12 hours so the sealer can fully set.
Thanks that was the kind of info I was looking for. If I can get this one cheap enough I may just give it a try, I wont be losing much if I break it. If it doesnt work out ill just have someone intall a new one.
You can do it, but Its much easier to get it done professionally, plus they do it right and if it leaks you can always take it back. The downside is it can be friggin expensive sometimes. Oh well, the windsheild is what you see through, so don't cheap out on it.
Easy and a 20 minute job on a Mustang. Get a cut out knife. Harbor Freight has them for $7-$10 and go to NAPA and get 2-tubes of urethane sealer. Glass installer for 8 years and trained total idiots in a day to do a easy windshield like a Mustang. Remove trim molding with a hook tool Harbor Freight again for $5 and if you can't find these items NAPA sells them also. Remove the cowling and wipers. Take the knife around the glass 3 sides and push from the inside and cut the bottom with a utility knife or take the cutout knife around the bottom and remove the glass. You now will back cut the original urethane seal with the utility knife and vacuum all the dirt and crap from around the windshield area and apply the new sealant and lift the glass into the hole. Install the moldings and your done. Most glass shops will install your glass for $75 or abouts if you don't want to deal with it.