45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

[Jack P.]

Windshield Damage from 48 State Trip

I took a rock to the windshield last summer outside of Park City UT, on my trip. Found a local glass shop to perform the task of taking out my old windshield and putting new one back in birdcage.

It is an insurance claim , so I had to use a shop to have all materials paid for . Plus, I am not able to do the glass bit, Glass shop does removal and install and I made a deal to have me remove the trim and to put back the trim, as the glass shop did not want to be responsible for damage to trim.

They came out to my house and within a few moments, we had the glass out and started to clean up the birdcage of sealants.

I had the windshield replaced 36 years ago by a local shop in New Hampshire. He used the right materials, as they were still soft, my windshield never leaked. Top and trim leaked, but was cured by my third latch.

They did a good job, (35 years ago) as you can see from the pictures of my clips and birdcage. Clips look like new, look at the screws, shinny, no rust anywhere except on top corners and just surface rust. I will not need any clips at all.

Any tips on rust and rust proofing before glass install?

You can see the original Milano Maroon paint

My trim came off without problems, a little bending of the lower trim , but go on will be easier I hope. It is a two person job and I found a good tread on how to do it.

Seats are out to to be covered, can't wait , after 45 years on the same foam and springs.


Jack

[Roger G.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Wow, great looking windshield frame. I'm used to seeing at least some heavy rust.

I just had a windshield replaced, think the shop used a urethane primer. Maybe somebody more knowledgeable will chime in?

[Jack P.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Wow, great looking windshield frame. I'm used to seeing at least some heavy rust.

I just had a windshield replaced, think the shop used a urethane primer. Maybe somebody more knowledgeable will chime in?

I have ordered some in the install kit. It seems that you need the urethane liquid sealer and GM or equivalent bedding and glazing compound.

The sealer for the glass to rubber gasket and the bedding compound for the windshield to birdcage channel.

Also lots of urethane cord to water seal the trim,

I was very lucky over the last 42 years to not have rust. The car has been driven over 250,000 miles rain or shine, so it is pretty remarkable to have the cage and clips in such good condition. The job was done right 35 years ago and it shows.

Jack

[David C.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Use 3M window weld primer and make sure you use it on all bare metal.

[Jack P.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Use 3M window weld primer and make sure you use it on all bare metal.

Hi Dave,

Tell me a little more about how to use it. After I clean up all the old gunk, and before the glass gets put in?

what does it do. does it prime the metal for ? paint ? gasket ? How applied ?

Jack

[Paul J.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Jack,

Supposedly the original green zinc chromate primer is not available, but there are substitutes used in the aircraft and marine industries. Here are some links.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/zinc.php

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...paint&uid=4810

Considering how well the original zinc primer has held up, and how you use your car, I would not remove the paint that is there. What's there is doing it's job and is a better material than you can buy now. I would treat any rust and scuff the bare metal areas, then shoot on one of the zinc rich products mentioned on the above threads.

Paul

[David C.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Clean up the old gunk - I'd even remove the moulding clips, especially since yours look like they will come out reasonably well.

Clean the areas hidden by trim and wash with fast dry solvent such as Dupont 3812 or other final wash.

Window Weld primer comes in about a 1 pint can screw top with a brush attached to the top. You can paint it on everywhere that is covered by the moulding - especially the flat section that the butyl window ribbon rolls onto. And cover up all the bare metal scratches from removal process.

No need to paint over all the zinc at the top of frame, but make sure you put it on the flat section that the window ribbon rolls onto and up the pinch weld edge.

[Page C.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Hi Dave,
The windshield moulding clips on your car are the original style clips. Not like the current NOS service replaced style or the current repro style. I would reuse them if at all possible. The current style clips are a nightmare compared to the originals you have. Yours have a shoehorn feature that allows the moulding to slid into the clip rather than having to force the moulding past two right angle tabs.
Regards,
Page Campbell

[Timothy B.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Is the 3M window weld a primer or used for some other reason on the front windshield?

I have a can but did not use any on the front windshield.

[Paul J.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Is the 3M window weld a primer or used for some other reason on the front windshield?

I have a can but did not use any on the front windshield.

There are at least three 3M Window Weld products that I am aware of. We're talking about the primer here, which I understand is hard to find, although any glass shop would know of a substitute. The other products are water cured urethane based sealers and adhesives. You do not want to use an adhesive.

Paul

[Timothy B.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Paul,

The window weld I have is the primer and directions say it's to be used to promote adhesion for the window weld ribbon sealer. From that I assume it's for windows without gaskets like the coupe rear windows on 64-67, is that correct?

[Paul J.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Paul,

The window weld I have is the primer and directions say it's to be used to promote adhesion for the window weld ribbon sealer. From that I assume it's for windows without gaskets like the coupe rear windows on 64-67, is that correct?

I would think so. The sealer and adhesive are for modern windows without gaskets, so it makes sense that the primer would compliment these products. However, I would think that you should still be able to use the primer with gaskets.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Paul,

I don't disagree but what purpose would the window weld primer have when caulk is the sealer used in the windshield application to seal the rubber to pinchwelt lip (if you can stand the mess) and also seal the channel to prevent water leaks in the channel and around reveal mouldings.

[Paul J.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

Tim,

Maybe your right. The Window Weld Primer is suppposed to be most effective on glass, to ensure a good seal with a urethane sealer. So this might not be the best option for Jack...back to post # 6.

Paul

[Jack P.]

Re: 45 Year Old Birdcage - Windshield Install

So, it seems the best thing for me to do is......

take care of the few surface rust areas through scuffing etc. Prime bare metal with a Pors 15 type primer and rust stop.

Make sure rest of cage is clean of old caulk etc. Glass shop will use gasket to glass sealant , put gasket on glass, clean off glass of urethane flow sealant, lay a bead of the bedding compound in frame, they will put glass in frame, rope and all.....

Clean up frame , make sure gasket and glass are in place, bedding in all areas , around clips etc.

I will then put back trim using urethane caulk rope to seal the trim areas as I had noted it had been done , when I took off the trim.

How does that sound

Jack