Windshield and Back Glass Removal (archive)

In the process of refinishing my coupe it was time to remove the glass to do the job right. Unfortunately, the old gaskets (original 1972 issue) was as hard and brittle as the glass itself for years of New Mexico sun. As I fought with it I tried to console myself that the same heat that hardened the rubber saved the body from rust, but it was hard to convince myself after about 2 hours of messing with it.

The glass shop told me that with hard rubber, there was a 70% chance the glass would be broken on removal and the headliner might be ruined as well. Not good.

Maybe everyone else knows this "secret" I happened upon, but for those who don't, I came up with a method that might be of use to the group.

If you remove the aluminum locking strip, then run a sharp putty knife along the face of the glass, you will cut away the outside rubber bead that retains the glass. Being well under the surface, the rubber there is probably still somewhat soft.

Then, simply lift the glass out of the gasket! It's almost possible for the glass to fall out after the cutting, so be careful. With the glass out, the remaining gasket can be removed without damaging the headliner, as well.

Obviously, you'll then need new gaskets, but in my case the old ones were no good anyway.

BTW, anyone have a good way to remove the factory applied butyl rubber sealant under the gasket? It is more stubborn than the gasket itself, and quite a bit more resistant to a sharp blade.

Bob

Follow Ups:

To remove use a sharp piece of plastic. Carlin 74CSA 00:20 9/23/2000 (0)

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