1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

[James W.]

I am starting my first Corvette project and this is my first post to this forum. There will be many more! LOL
The rear widow glass is in bad condition and must be replaced. The aluminum frame is in very good condition.
I have unpinned and removed the lower frame piece. The situation I am faced with is that the 52 year old glass sealer is now like concrete and there is no way that glass is coming out without a fight.
My initial thought process was to get out the heat gun and carefully start applying heat but my experience with old extruded aluminum is that it likes to warp especially if it has a curve.
I don't have to tell you those rear window frames are not easy to find.
Does anyone have suggestions on how to go about getting the glass out.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

What's wrong with the glass? If scratched but not cracked, it can probably be restored while in its frame.

And welcome to the forum and the Corvette hobby!

[James W.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

What's wrong with the glass? If scratched but not cracked, it can probably be restored while in its frame.

And welcome to the forum and the Corvette hobby!

Hi Mark.
I appreciate your reply.
A previous owner of the car thought it would be cool if the rear window was painted black with a big Chevy bowtie opening in the middle.
The chemicals in the paint have etched the glass way beyond being able to be polished out. Trust me, I would love to be able to salvage the glass but it just isn't possible.
At this point I'm still considering some method of using heat lamps and constructing a heat box to heat soak the whole thing for a day or two and see if the window sealant will soften up.
If that doesn't work it may come to smashing the glass and pry the chunks out.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

Jim check for a used one on Craigslist in you area or post on in looking for the window.

[Stewart L.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

An Inductor glass removing tool will release the urethane and the glass will come right out. It might be a bit expensive to buy one for a one time use but a glass shop or body shop should have one. I used to have one but sold it with my shop. They work great.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

Jim check for a used one on Craigslist in you area or post on in looking for the window.

Agreed. A good used original may be an easier and cheaper option. Check Driveline and eBay.

[James W.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

I appreciate the replies. I have removed the glass the old fashion way, hammer! LOL. I actually fully taped the glass and hit one blow with a hammer in the middle. The glass shattered as I figured it would. It took about three hours to pry out the pieces of the glass in the channel of the aluminum frame.
The frame is now polished and ready for new glass. So now I'm seeking advice on install techniques. I have the rubber strip that's supposed to go between the glass and the aluminum channel but I don't have a clue as to how to install it with the glass into the u channel.
A friend said not to bother with the rubber strip, but to just use a bead of weather strip sealant in the u channel in the aluminum window frame.
Advice would be appreciated.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

What are you using for replacement glass?

[James W.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

What are you using for replacement glass?

I purchased the glass from Paragon.
Don't recall who their glass vendor is.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1969 Coupe Rear Window Glass Replacement

Maybe someone who's done this will chime in and show how it's done. If I was in this situation, I would approach an experienced glass installer.