Windshield glass fitting/new nose welding

Matt Wilson

Installed a new nose on a 75 Bay. Everything lined up great, the "crease" around the equator of the bus, the holes for the wiper arms, etc. As the bus had been hit (possibly multiple times) I lined up everything best I could.

The pinch seam was slightly high on the outside in the lower corners, but the seam in the middle 90%, lined up perfect. As did the A-pillar metal and the overall angles and crimp around the sides.

The windshield guy couldn't fit the glass, tried two different pieces of glass, and broke one.

I have since carefully ground down the corners of the pinch seam to perfectly line up with the factory curve.

Is the pinch seam what is preventing the glass from installing? Or have I totally messed up the weld job by letting the outer "bulge" go too high?

Can glass people cut/modify a piece of glass, worst case scenario?

PicklePickle

Matt Wilson · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject:

I really don't feel that the dimensions are out of whack, as everything else lined up dead on.

In reading some other posts, they stated that sometimes glass guys can shave down the glass a little bit with a belt sander.

vwbusbusvw · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

What seal are you using?
This is a controversial subject - some say the seal makes no difference, some say certain seals are better than others.
I've installed many windshields. I always use Wolfsburg West seals, and have had no trouble. Once, when WW was out of stock, I purchased a West Coast Metric seal from a local parts shop - the rubber was very stiff, making the window impossible to install. I broke the windshield.
I suggest getting a WW seal, then trying to install.
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TheTominator · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject:

I've seen a seal make all the difference. Busted new windshield with the first, easy install with the second.
_________________
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If I can't curse, I can't fix it.
71 Bus
78 HD FXS Lowrider 1200cc
An Oldsmobile for crying out loud.

PicklePickle · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject:

Mine was from Bus Depot. Plenty soft enough to make the window go right in. I also use "Tire Wet" silicon spray which keeps the rubber and the metal lip around the window slick. Some people use soap and water, but that dries out and leaves a sticky mess and....it's WATER--the last thing you would wan't trapped in behind the seal!
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1970 Yellow Beetle aka "Melbourne"

jah_B · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:17 pm Post subject:

krimpoo · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:48 am Post subject:

The glass your installing is laminated and you can remove as much or as little of the corner as you want using several methods. Belt sander works but takes time if your removing a 1/2 inch or more. Keep it wet so you dont build up too much heat.Do not just place a vertical belt to the glass.First remove glass from the top edge and bottom edge as if you were bevelling it and then remove glass to that established line...repeat as necessary.

If your viny bead (rubber) is hard leave it in a low oven for 10-15 minutes.It is important to have the rubber as soft as possible.If it hardens while installing use a heat gun on it...dont directly heat the glass or it may break. Keep it well lubed with glass cleaner spray as you install.

Once your in install urethane from a caulking gun between the seal and glass and the seal and metal. The shitty part is removing all the residue urethane from the glass and metal once done.You WANT it to squeeze out..use more than necessary.

Good luck.

rumplestilskin · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:20 pm Post subject:

the ww seal has worked for me about 20 tiimes. the only thing i recomend differently is dont use liquid to install windshield. use corn starch power. or foot powder. 90%cornstartch 10% smelly stuff. no mess and it keeps your seal warm/clean
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currently 71 super auto-stick, 73 ghia, 71 yellow ghia , a 68 square w71 fi, a 77 bus station wagon deluxe. and finaly finaly a 74 riveria with volvo pawer .ITS AN ADDICTION!!!

1977_L63H_P27 · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject:

Matt Wilson · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I must not have been clear, the glass is being installed by a glass company, not me. I did the welding on the bus, installing a new nose and rocker metal for a friend of mine.

I am going to meet the glass company when they attempt again today. Hopefully the cold weather today won't let the seal get too stiff. Hopefully the glass guy has a few tricks up his sleeve. Either way the glass people haven't been paid yet.

Fingers crossed....

rumplestilskin · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

i think what we are trying to say. is do it your self. if u can do a nose u can install a windshield...

btw do u have any pics
_________________
currently 71 super auto-stick, 73 ghia, 71 yellow ghia , a 68 square w71 fi, a 77 bus station wagon deluxe. and finaly finaly a 74 riveria with volvo pawer .ITS AN ADDICTION!!!

Blaubus · Samba Member Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5153

its so common for glass to fit tight first time around. over the last 15 years, every time i had to install glass i had to grind it. i grind the lower edge but donot grind the lower corners, as they are too loose to begin with.

glass shops suck in my opinion. on a used windshield, shops wont offer a guarantee of fit OR against breakage, so they want to install it as many times as possible since they are getting 30 a pop. so they try, then grind a smidge, then try , then grind a smidge, then try, then grind a smidge................ Rolling Eyes

i was just grinding my windshield today, so i can say its very doable and not scary. just need a belt sander with a 150 grit belt. i lay the sander on its side & clamp it to a bench. for a glass support, i stack up three 2 x 8s about 6" from the belt, cover them with fabric. this supports the bottom half while i hold the top edge and slide the bottom edge against the belt...

...not that you wanted to know how its done.

krimpoo · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:46 pm Post subject:

Matt....if your using a glass shop that installs glass outdoors find another glass shop.They should have an interior shop..not outdoors.

"on a used windshield, shops wont offer a guarantee of fit OR against breakage"

Yes..this is standard procedure as it should be for two reasons.

1) Your taking away their ability to make $ on the glass by supplying your own and they have no idea what methods you used to remove the glass your supplying them with....they are in business to make money like we all are.

2) Used glass is just that..used. Glass is a fragile thing.The slightest flaws (usually invisible) can easily cause breakage during install...or just handling the glass...sometimes it will break just transporting it.

Therefore if they arent making any money on the glass there is no reason for them to be out of pocket,by replacing your glass, if your glass breaks. Always remember the people you are dealing with are trying to make a living to feed their families just like you are...see it from both sides.

Matt Wilson · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:11 pm Post subject:

Glass guys never showed up yesterday.

I thought about just doing it myself, but my friend is very adamant about it. They have already broken 2 windshields, they obviously need to be grinding a little bit.

itlives · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject:

My wife and I broke one (used) trying to get it in. I paid a glass co. to do the new one.
I replaced the metal on the bottom lip myself. The windshield leaked, so I got some flowable silicon to put in the behind the rubber. No worries now!
I figure it leaked because of my welding job which you can see at
www.vwrides.com - bus forum - "'74 Westy"
Page two starts the windshield job.

krimpoo · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:19 pm Post subject:

It lives.....the silicone may break down over time. Urethane is what you want in there.

"I thought about just doing it myself, but my friend is very adamant about it."

Get your friend to help you install it instead of telling you what to do.

josh · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject:

Glass guys usually suck at these old seals. I'd do it myself.
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Matt Wilson · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:

Ok I lied, I just don't want to. I put over 40+ hours into a bus that's not mine, for free. (My best friend.)

I would like to get back to work on my own Beetle....

jah_B · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject:

Matt. Lying sucks.
_________________
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Windshield glass fitting/new nose welding
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