Windshield install for my 72 Super Beetle

[Mudpump]

It's pretty straight forward especially if your not using the aluminum trim but I would suggest forgoing trying to do it yourself. It's do-able with 1 person but it's ALOT easier with 2 people.

[Jusbuggin72]

Any suggestions on the curved windshields? All the videos out there are for the flat ones.

[Buzz64]

Yep, had to grind mine off as they were tack welded on!
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1978 Super Vert
1600 FI (Stock)

[cookrw]

[Globespotter]

Another helpful tip:

On my 71 SB, it had factory original metal clips around the frame. REMOVE them prior to installing a replacement windshield. They will not work well with replacement seals.
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1977 Westfalia - October 2015 - Current
1971 Super Beetle - May 2012 - Current
1979 Westfalia - 1986-1991
1971 Super Beetle - 1977-1980

1971 SB Survivor Story: https://globespotter.com/
Road Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511800&highlight=
My 77 Westy Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647114&highlight=

http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN&id=30990
https://vw-type2-id.xyz/mplate/72067382

[JerryMCarter1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGMd0CrEQig

Jerry
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Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

[cookrw]

To put the rubber on the window, I layed the glass on the couch and stretched it over the windshield. To get the windshield in you need to make sure the windshield is centered in the window frame, and keep constant pressure on the seal as you pull the well oiled/greased cable or string out of the seal.
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'71 Super 'Vert
'84 Vanagon GL (w/ Sunroof!)
'96 Jeep Cherokee

[evelwevel]

I used weedeater line and a couple of peeps (my wife and daughter) to put constant pressure on the windshield as i pulled the line out of the groove to get my front windshield seated in my car.

I also used soapy water to help it slide into place.

The hardest part for me was putting the gasket on the window but after a few cuss words i got it on. This took longer than putting it in the car.

It also seemed to help to lay my windshield across my bed while installing the gasket so the work surface would have a little give so i didn't have to worry about breaking it as easily.

[jlex]

It's really important to keep the window centered. All that pulling will move it off center then you can't finish the job at the end.
Mark the window and the frame before you start. Have your helper keep a good eye on the marks.
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jlex.
'70 std. "Elsie"
'88 Carrera

[Chief Wahoo]

i've seen videos of the actual installation of the window, but i have the front window seal, and have no idea which of the 5 or 6 grooves is actually for the glass! i assume one or two are for the chrome trim. i spread the "grooves" and found one or two are wider than others. i can't find any pictures of this being done...
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*please no smartass comments...i'm new to this restoration stuff...*

[Raggamuffin]

Place that did mine used Pledge. It went in like butter. Used Pledge on the back and did it myself...furniture polish works well, cleans up easily.

[aircooled74]

I do my windows with dish soap and water, and instead of rope or wire I use a pick, one for puttin on and removin hoses. Its about 10" long, use it at work on Volvo semi trucks winshields too. Same style

[Cricket]

My brother helped me with mine and had a few tricks. First he gets one short end of the window with the rubber seal on it, then he tied it off with a rope. Then he worked his way down each of the longer sides and would stop and wrap the rope around the window as he worked his way down. I was the beneficiary of his previous tries. It worked pretty slick, now if we could just get the thing into the car. Try again tomorrow.

[dews70bug]

A extra pair of hands help me out. I had them hold the seal on as I moved around the glass.

[damquick1]

This is a great write up, my next project and nemisis...but is there any special trick to getting the seals on the glass? These Cal look seals I have are a pain in the ass to get on the glass, I'm damn mechanical (or maniacial anyway) and it took me about a half hour just to get one on a quarter window!
Then of all the luck I had the damn thing about 80% in and ripped the frigging seal! I have to get another no big problem but I was hoping there was some sweet trick to getting them on the glass easier.
Any thoughts from you pros?

[jhicken]

[morymob]

What works for me is liquid dish soap mixed 50% water in squirt bottle and coat seal totally in groove and around opening. I put 2 turns of cord in groove=1 toget started and 1 to finish pulling rubber over lip. I also found that just pressing glass evenly down into opening and hold pressure while inside help slowly pulls cords works every time,very slick way for back glass also.

[jamesdagg]

I had no problem at all with my '71 Super. I used aviation cable and KY Jelly. It washes up easy. I also put strips of masking tape all around to hold the chrome and rubber to the glass until it was in. And I started from the top center.

No one mentioned how slippery the wire is. You need to make wooden handles or something to hang onto. You can't hold on to your wire with your hands covered in KY.

The hardest part was getting the chrome into the rubber. Finally while in the home stretch I got the hang of "rolling" it in with my fingers and thumb. Next time will be easier!

Hot day is best.

jim
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'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

[puddle pirate]

Russ, you should make a video and put it on youtube. You already have the script. Great job. Very thorough. The only things that I would add is the GoJo should not have pumace The second thing I would add is what I usually do is put a twist in the wire where they meet to hold it in place until you get it into the car.

I have also heard of people having success using regular dish soap. They use dish soap to move buildings on the sliders when they undergo such projects as moving lighthouses back from the ocean.

I have used silicone in the past and it can stain the headliner. I like the Gojo method. It will wipe right off and not stain. I have not tried the dish soap yet either. I am sure I will when I put in my new headliner.
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John
73 Super Beetle
87 Jeep Wrangler
99 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[robclark63]

I know your frustration. I actually broke one on my 72 super, got another one and had a friend of a friend come over. He works in a glass shop and had the big suction cups, the rope tool, and the nerves to make the glass bend but not brake. It is a super tight fit and made me nervous putting it in. Mine has the chrome around it and he said that it would be easier to do if it did not have that. You definitely need two people, put the rope in the rubber track, put the big suction cups on the glass, start at the bottom and work to the left or right, your choice. When you get around the first bottom curve you have to work the other side around. Pulling the rope around the curves will get really tight. You might have to slap the window and use the big cups to keep the window in place. He also sprayed liquid/soap around the rubber to lube it up a bit. We kept pulled and pushing and wallaa it went in. It reads easier than doing it. My suggestion is to have someone there with glass knowledge, but this is how I did it. Hope it helps.