Body / Glass: Wagonaire-Installing the Windshield

[Dick Steinkamp]

The windshield went in today. Here's a blow by blow...

Wagonaire-Installing the Windshield

1.5 hours total.

[dnevin]

There's no substitute for experience. I was a bit shocked at the amount of the sealant that was all over that shiny new paint, but it came out really nice!

[BobPalma]

Boy, there's no substitute for experience to give one confidence accomplishing that task. Well-played. BP

[gs-xnr]

Dick, If Adam is open to do another windshield i need his contact info. I'm almost ready for an install. Thank you. Harvey

[52 Ragtop]

Dick,
Glad to see to called in a Pro! They make it look "so easy" don't they?
I had my glass guy put the windshield & back glass in my Avanti last year, He also made it "look easy" <G>

Will you be bringing the wagon to S. Bend in July???

Jim

jIM

[Dick Steinkamp]

Dick,
Glad to see to called in a Pro! They make it look "so easy" don't they?
I had my glass guy put the windshield & back glass in my Avanti last year, He also made it "look easy" <G>

Will you be bringing the wagon to S. Bend in July???

Jim

jIM

Jim,
I probably won't make South Bend this year. Too many other draws on time and money, unfortunately. You guys will have a great meet I am sure. Always do.

[jallen]

Hi Dick, very well done pictorial. Signed up for future updates. Your reputation for treating people right on car deals is paying off.

[Scott]

Wow, that's great. I'd like him to come down to Oregon and redo my 66 Cruiser's windshield. Someone put it in the car crooked and it leaks!! The seals are cracked anyway.

[aarrggh]

Wow , A garage with nice green grass in front of it . . Must not use it very often . ........

[tbirdtbird]

Excellent tutorial, best i've ever seen, and I've even helped a pro do this. Thanks

[JimC]

I too will be following your blog. Your posting style is great and your content is top notch! Keep it up.

[Andy R.]

Great step-by-step photography. We're really enjoying your posts on the Wagonaire.
There's nothing like a driving behind a perfectly clear windshield to really make the car seem new again.
The most beautiful paint in the world looks like crap through the glare and scratches of weathered glass.

[t1003nl]

Great instructions Dick.

I decided to try putting the windshield in my '62 Champ truck and I followed Dick's notes. This was the first time I attempted to install a windshield. I bought 2 suction cups from Harbor Freight. They worked great. I used the 3M Bedding and Glazing compound. I bought 2 tubes to make sure I didn't skimp and I used about 1 1/2 tubes. I put linseed oil on the interior edge of the gasket to aid sliding the glass in place. That worked great. I also put linseed oil on the trim tabs before installing the stainless in the gasket. That really helped lock the trim in place and allowed for a bit of movement to get everything centered correctly. One added thing I did was to tape the trim all the way around the windshield. This held the trim in place and made the cleanup easier. I also taped around the windshield opening before installing the glass to ease cleanup.

I went slow on initial installation to make sure I had the glass centered before getting too much of the seal roped in place. I pulled a little bit of rope, checked center, pulled some more... It was easy to slide the glass side to side early in the process, harder later. Once I had the entire lower edge engaged, I used the suction cups to pull the glass down and seat it in the bottom channel. This made it easy to turn the corners at the top.

I was surprised how easy this was. I wouldn't hesitate doing another one. Just go slow, check alignment as you go and be patient. One other thing that helped was to wear blue nitrile gloves. I changed them frequently to avoid getting sealant on everything.

Thanks to Dick for a great post. It was very helpful.