Windsheild Removal

So far I've done a few windsheilds (no leaks so far...) and find the removal process very easy (I took out my X's completely alone and in about 20 minutes). Though this may have been easier since my car is completly gutted...

First I used a carpenter's knife (a good quality one with a non-sectioned blade) to cut the adhesive under the chrome trim. This was done by carefully running the knife pllel to the window (at some points, this involves sliding the body of the knife along the windsheild. If you're really nervous about scratches, you could tape up the knife...). As well, run the knife between the windsheild frame and the trim. You should now be able to start lifting up the trim, while cutting the adhesive stringers (the "melted cheese" looking bits). Minor bends in the trim should be easy to straighten later.

From inside the car, you need to remove the u-channeled rubber that lays between the window and the steel frame. This will be difficult since the window is glued to it. I did mine by starting at the top passenger side of the window frame and using crow's foot (a fork shaped screwdriver for removing interior panel clips) and a small dead blow hammer to push the rubber u-channel off of its track. once a few inches is off, I pretty much just started tuggin (did I mention I'm not a professional yet?) and the rest pulled right out. This was probably very easy for me since there is no interior or dash in the car and since the adhesive used was very flexible.

Once that it removed, I started cutting away adhesive from between the top of the windsheild and the frame along a 3 inch stretch. this is to cut a hole in the adhesive to push the cutting wire through. Once the wire was through, I attached a small set of vice grips on each side of the windsheild, with about 8- 12 inches of wire between them. When sawing, you need to angle the wire away from the edge of the windsheild. This is hard to describe but you'll fiqure it out. Work your way around the perimeter and your done sawing.

When I started to push my windsheild away from the top of the frame, the cut glue was sticking to itself, so I took the knife and cut the stringers (same as trim removal). Once out, I placed it on an awaiting (padded) panel stand to clean the rest of the adhesive from it.

I got the wire (about 16") from a junkyard for free. Sawing by yourself is easier than with a partner (though my 6'5" arm-span allowed this along the middle bottom), since you know your own rythym (sounds dirty...)

Hope this helps. If there's anything I left out or skimped on the details of, let me know

Glen