58-64 Windshield Frustration

[glutamodo]

Latest update - I had a few minutes in the office today at work, so I called that only glass shop in town ( and they are a branch of a larger store up on Casper, a much larger city by far) and asked about cutting a window. They told me all they had was 1/4" glass. And that it should work. Then they said their Casper warehouse has a windshield rubber and if I got their rubber their glass would probably fit it. Uh-huh. I've never heard of that - windshield gaskets being set up for different thickness? I also asked if they might have 3/16ths glass available up there.... nope, same as what's here.

I said I'd come by tomorrow and talk in person. The car I'd be pulling the glass out of for a reliable template is my Baja now and I want to reuse that rubber anyway - it's not that old and it fits well (Cal-look too, and thus I don't have any extra chrome handy if I got a stock style seal anyway)

Then I asked about my 85 Golf, just for kicks and grins, since it's had a cracked windshield for like 7 years now... They said they'd have to have more info and "search for it" for the glass and install kit... and mentioned the computer wanted the VIN to know if the car was German or Mexican made. I said, "uh, my Golf was made in the U.S." - "Oh, well it didn't say anything about one of those!" So I'm kind of skeptical about this local shop. Maybe I ought to have another go at a FYG POS and do a better job at reshaping the thing.

-Andy

[LowClass]

I only broke two before I gave up. On the second try I was down to the last 5" or so before it let go from top to bottom. I am still driving my new "split window" 64 . It is nice to know that I am not the only one having this problem. I think I will do some homework before my next attempt.
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http://www.sierraaircooled.com/

[Snort]

Is there some way you can check the size of the window by putting it up in the window frame without the rubber? Maybe if there was some known space it needs to have all the way around for a proper fit then you could trim to match the frame.

[glutamodo]

This morning I went out and removed the windshield from my Baja bug. It was another "CITSA" Mexican glass, one of a few I've had over the years and never had any problems with - and the same brand as was in my 62 before all this started. A very brief search of the CITSA (Cristal Laminado Templado S. A. de C.V) name online shows that it looks like they are affiliated with PPG - so do they still produce Beetle windshields?

I'd never tried to remove a windshield before without breaking it, but I remembered reading about the "Popsicle Stick Trick" - but instead of wood I used some steel flashing I cut into strips and used some plastic door trim removal tool prybars to fold the rubber lip inside and stick my steel strips under there to hold them - it was easier than I thought it would be, but that's a fairly new rubber and it's Cal-Look too. By the time I'd done the top and down to both bottom corners the glass was about out as it was, a gentle push and it was out.

Took it down to Decker Auto Glass and the tech there said that while his glass was a bit thicker, he didn't think it would be too thick. It was going to be about 65 bucks parts/labor for them to cut one out. I went for it.

Picked it up this afternoon, looked great! It did fit into the rubber OK. But it's Cal-look rubber so isn't as rigid as stock style with the trim piece in it. Just got done installing it - went in so much nicer/easier than that last one in my 62. Part of that though is the seal I think. I do think the slightly thicker glass does push the seal out a little though, but then again, I didn't look too close before I removed it outside the car as to how well the rubber laid down.

Also, I used my digital caliper to compare the thicknesses of the two windshields - I was surprised to find they were not really that far off:

Now's the question - should I have them cut me another for to replace that cracked FYG one in my 62. I wonder if the stock style rubber that I have in there would have any issues with that thicker glass.

-Andy

[Culito]

I just looked today, and it was a CITSA that I put in. I just bought it last year but I have no idea how long it was sitting on the shelf.
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Copyright CJ Industries, Inc.
'64 standard w/2.0L type 4
'62 bug

[Euro 67]

all the ones I get from my supplier are citsa
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68 Bug totaled one day will live again
69 Bug donor car
Many parts had, always need em!

[glutamodo]

Since I'd always gotten CITSA glass when I bought them prior to these FUYAO things, I was kind of under the expectation that they were also CITSA, I didn't know they were not until I took them out of the bubble wrap they'd been in, in my basement the last couple of years. But I'm going to guess that the 40-55 dollar ones you see for sale from BusDepot, Airhead and SoCal are all FUYAO. (I emailed BusDepot, they didn't give the name but did confirm theirs were Chinese) The last CITSA one I bought was from Rocky Mountain Motorworks just a short time before they got shut down/bought out and turned into MAMW.

-ANdy

[Bruce]

It is indeed a sad state of the quality of VW parts that we are now lusting after aftermarket Mexican parts.
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[Bruce]

[a.wilson]

I'm wondering what other aircooled years/models that Fuyao brand makes glass for?!!
About gettin to the point if you have to replace one and can't find NOS, ya just about have to stick with using old, hazy scratched OE glass or pay a company out-tha-butt prices to have one made.
Chinese rubbish.
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Be kind to all critters. America's "H8TERZ" can drink sludgy used Motor Oil!


oemwolf

[Snort]

Here's a youtube video of a guy cutting down a windshield to size with a roto-zip and a diamond bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl5nm48pYFc

[bajatoy]

CRAP CRAP CRAP!! The windshild I just picked up from BAP here in Phoenix is the same Fuyao China one! My bug didn't have a windshield when I got it, so I dont have anything to match and see if it is too big or not! I am half tempted to return it and go a differnt route.... I have no idea!
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1959 Euro Bug

[Bruce]

IMO there's no point in even trying it. Take it back while it's still in one piece.
See my previous post to make your own ACCURATE template.
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[glutamodo]

I can get some measurements off of that CITSA mexican glass if you'd like... The one I had cut from it worked good for me.

[wcfvw69]

[glutamodo]

That CITSA one was 1048mm at its widest, side/side. And in the middle the height was 346mm.

[bajatoy]

[bajatoy]

[princeherman]

When my headliner was replaced, the upholsterer went through 4, all because they were the wrong size. At which point I went to the local VW specialists. The first one they ordered they knew was wrong before attempting an installation. They then knew to order one that was from a model that was either 6mos behind or forward, I can't remember which. They ordered from someplace in LA, and with the correct size was relatively effortless for them to install.[/code]

[glutamodo]