Windshield Removal and Tool

[169yenko]

Anyone have any experience with the "Cold Knife" tool used to remove windshields? I prefer to do most stuff myself and want to remove my windshield to redo the dash top on a project. Any tips? Is this better left to guys who do it everyday? My windshield is fine so I don't want to break it, but the process looks pretty simple. Thanks

[JRSully]

VERY EASY to break the windhshield taking it out yourself, leave it to the pro's if you want to use it again. I learned, multiple times, the hard way.

[Plowman]

Here's a thought-To get some practice go to a U-Pull-It type of junk yard and practice on some old carcasses. If your successful with them and you feel lucky, try your own. I've tried it and has worked, but I ususally use a professional. Good luck and let us know how you made out.

[SuperNovaSS]

Just make sure you don't twist the blade. Keep it flat and take your time especially around corners. Most shops don't touch old glass to be saved since even they can break it. Patience and a willingness to accept breakage is all you need.


Jason

[Schonyenko2]

My personal preference is piano wire, and a helper either inside, or out.

[Mr70]

I've had some experience doing it myself.Much easier with a helper as Ken said.
I just ended up going to Action Glass a few years ago,and even they were hestitant with any vintage vehicles glass removal,as the prices for the OEM stuff soared.
They refused to gaurantee NOT breaking the glass,and made me sign a paper stating I wouldn't hold them liable.
I did learn to hate that stubborn factory butyl tape,and to also make sure you disconnect the embedded antenna wire at the center base & tape it out of harms way beforehand,if so equipped.
I've heard of guys losing finger tips trying doing this procedure...Be careful.

[3macs1]

In my opinion from a guy that removed or tried to remove 100's of them when working in a salvage yard go to the professionals.Wire, special tools it does not matter, one slight wrong twist or a bit of sealer that does not want to cut and bang it is all over.
Signing the paper now is something they are doing up here also. My truck is not a collector but 19 years old and last week after the heavy rains I noticed a small leak on the side. Went in to the glass shop and after signing the form watched them take it in and out , install a new seal all in 20 minutes.I know I would have broke it for sure.
Just one man's opinion
Good luck

[budnate]

I must be lucky I hardly ever break them and have done lots of them, I go around the window a few times with the one handled blade and the T-handle cable you pull on,

if you cut the tar a few times it seams to be less grabby, sometimes if its a little grabby after I cut a side and its loose I will slide a thin piece of a piant stick or whatever to hold most of the corner up and go to the other side and cut it again and slowly tip them forward away from the roof line.

they also make a neat electric tip one man cutter its slick lot less grunt involved when pulling it around, http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Dog427435]

I worked in Hunts Point (S.Bronx) for over 10 years. Hunts Point probably has more used auto glass dealers in
1 sq. mile then in the whole state of NJ.
I would watch in amazement as people popped front and rear windshields out of cars (legally or not) by sitting
on the roof and working a piece of piano wire under the glass. The process would take less then a minute
and I never saw one broken!
They could strip a car at the curb to nothing in hours!
This new Vette was parked by my building when I left one night and looked like this the next morning.
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http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/dog427435/Super%20Chevy/car019.jpg
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[BARRY]

hi where do you get the butle tape for a 1969 camaro windshied 3\4 of a inch ricks sells 5\16 thanks

[RamAirDave]

Butyl tape wasnt used at the factory. They used Thiokol, which is more similar to the urethane commonly used today.

[169yenko]

Took the windshield out today with no problems. Read I did not break it. Came out rather easily I might add. Used the $8 cold knife t-handled pull deal. I did talk with my local auto glass guy for any tips before hand. He said, "Let the car sit out in the sun (still actually sunny and warm here) to soften the seal and then go around it with the knife making sure you keep the blade down away from the glass". He actually said that he has pushed some glass out without using any tools when it is really hot and the inside of the car heats up alot. Just thought I'd let you know.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[BARRY]

hi where do you buy the 3/4 inch butal tape to instal the window

[Motion Camaro]

[ QUOTE ]
I worked in Hunts Point (S.Bronx) for over 10 years. They could strip a car at the curb to nothing in hours!


[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.interstate-guide.com/images051/i-087_st_16.jpg

<font color="blue">My Dad had a business in the South Bronx &amp; I also worked in Hunts Point for a while.

I remember driving to work down the Major Deagan &amp; see a car broke down, out of gas, whatever,
on the side of the Expressway at 6am. Going home at 5pm that same car would be a roof, quarters, floor &amp; chassis ... all else was GONE!!!
That was on a main Expressway in NY, cops everywhere, can you imagine. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

A friend of my Dads parked his new Vega in front of the business before it opened &amp; went in to have a cup of coffee &amp; shoot the sh*t.
Came out to go to his job &amp; the car wouldn't start. Went back in to ask my dad to jump start him (he thought he left the lights on).
When they came out with the cables, he opened the hood to reveal a missing .... ENGINE. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
In 15 minutes on Bruckner Blvd. with A.M. traffic ... I guess it looked normal there. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

I could go on &amp; on with these kind of stories.
</font>

[Xplantdad]

That's just crazy... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[JohnZ]

[ QUOTE ]
hi where do you buy the 3/4 inch butal tape to instal the window

[/ QUOTE ]

GM never used butyl tape to install either the windshield or the backlite. Use urethane.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif