Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

[Scott M.]

OK. So I had my car bodywork and repainted a while back. All this time I've had the car, the windshield area seemed pretty solid, or so I thought. Well, I decided I needed a new windshield because a tiny crack below the wipers became a very large and very visible crack. Removing the trim pieces revealed a very nasty secret. Rust. Attached pics. I know I will need at least a new upper and corner. Any ideas about what to do about the lower portion? Removing the body panel is not an option for me. Feeling kinda sick about it. Scott

[Domenic T.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Ouch,
I think I would replace it with a used one.
Might have to mess up the nice body in a few places to do that but you should be able to graft another frame if you find good solid metal.
Other than that you would have to clean ALL the rust and be handy at welding.

DOM

[Dick W.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Competent restorer can repair your. I believe the pieces are available aftermarket. Just make sure the birdcage is OK. It is not a do it yourself job as the alignment of all the pieces is very critical

[Graeme B.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

For the bottom section Iwould clean it up and use fibreglass.That way you won't muck up your body work.Good luck.

[Joe L.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

OK. So I had my car bodywork and repainted a while back. All this time I've had the car, the windshield area seemed pretty solid, or so I thought. Well, I decided I needed a new windshield because a tiny crack below the wipers became a very large and very visible crack. Removing the trim pieces revealed a very nasty secret. Rust. Attached pics. I know I will need at least a new upper and corner. Any ideas about what to do about the lower portion? Removing the body panel is not an option for me. Feeling kinda sick about it. Scott

Scott------


CSC Reproductions manufactures all of the pieces you need and including the lower panel and lower corners. However, as has been mentioned, installing them is not something for an amateur.

What is the history of this car? Do you know if it lived in the northeast or midwest for part of its life?

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Scott------


CSC Reproductions manufactures all of the pieces you need and including the lower panel and lower corners. However, as has been mentioned, installing them is not something for an amateur.

What is the history of this car? Do you know if it lived in the northeast or midwest for part of its life?

I think for the most part the rust is caused by rain not salt except if you live close to a ocean. Its the luck of the draw some windshields were sealed well under the glass & others not. Water gets under the glass & lays & runs down the side pillars & rusts. I have seen southern & west/southwest early C-3'S with bad windshield rust. I always check pillars & feel under the header bar covers.

[Jim T.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Scott I have felt the same way about my original owner 1970 which I still have. In 1986 like you I took my 70 to shop to have the windshield replaced and watched the removal procedure. The windshield frame had rust. I took my 70 home without a windshield. I was able to order all the steel replacement parts from my local Chevy dealership. I did the work of removal and replacement and had a experienced Corvette body shop owner do the welding. When I left the windshield shop I drove my 70 to see him for instruction of what I was up against. I was concerned about the lower panel replacement. He took a hack saw blade and cut the drivers side fender panel down to the seam and told me to do the other side. I replaced the top windshield frame on my coupe and both of the corners. The new lower metal windshield frames were not completely used. I cut out the top of the left and right sides and and went back to the Corvette body shop owner who welded the new pieces in place. I took my time doing this project and it turned out great.

[Scott M.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Scott------


CSC Reproductions manufactures all of the pieces you need and including the lower panel and lower corners. However, as has been mentioned, installing them is not something for an amateur.

What is the history of this car? Do you know if it lived in the northeast or midwest for part of its life?

Joe, apparently nobody makes the lower outer corner for the windshield frame for 68-72. I have seen them from 73-82. Do you have any ideas of who might make these? Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Joe, apparently nobody makes the lower outer corner for the windshield frame for 68-72. I have seen them from 73-82. Do you have any ideas of who might make these? Thanks.

Scott-----


I don't know of a source for the 68-72 and the GM pieces were discontinued a LONG time ago.

EDIT:

I was wrong. I find that CSC Reproductions offers the lower frame corners for 1968-72 (as well as 73-82).

[Scott M.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Scott-----


I don't know of a source for the 68-72 and the GM pieces were discontinued a LONG time ago.

EDIT:

I was wrong. I find that CSC Reproductions offers the lower frame corners for 1968-72 (as well as 73-82).

Hmm...I checked their website this morning and could only find 73-82. They had the inside corners but not the outside. I tried to call them but being Saturday I had no luck. Are you looking at a catalog instead of the website? Because if they actually did have them, that would save me big headaches!
Thanks, Joe

Scott

[John H.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Hmm...I checked their website this morning and could only find 73-82. They had the inside corners but not the outside. I tried to call them but being Saturday I had no luck. Are you looking at a catalog instead of the website? Because if they actually did have them, that would save me big headaches!
Thanks, Joe

Scott

Scott -

Have you tried Gary Crump at Caledonia Classics (888-245-5224)? Gary is the manufacturer of ALL of the replacement birdcage parts.

[Joe L.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Hmm...I checked their website this morning and could only find 73-82. They had the inside corners but not the outside. I tried to call them but being Saturday I had no luck. Are you looking at a catalog instead of the website? Because if they actually did have them, that would save me big headaches!
Thanks, Joe

Scott

Scott-----


I found them on their online catalog. They have both the outer and inner corners for both sides. They are not cheap but for someone that needs them, they'd be cheap at twice the price.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Scott -

Have you tried Gary Crump at Caledonia Classics (888-245-5224)? Gary is the manufacturer of ALL of the replacement birdcage parts.

CSC makes them too; they are competitors.
Yes, there are 2 sources for these parts.

[Monte M.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

Scott,

You have been given some great advice by some of the smartest guys on this site. But, what I have found in a situation likes yours is a picture (or 10) can be worth a thousand words.

I have done similar work myself, but noting quite so extensive.
I found a website where the guy was doing a step by step repair similar to yours. He made all his own patch panel with the help of a sand bag, a vise, and a small brake. Of course, he needed a welder to weld the pieces in.

He had never done such extensive work, but he used the old panels as patterns and fudged a bit where the metal was note there at all.
In the website I will send to you in a PM, you might have to thumb through the site a bit to find it, but once you see it in bite size pieces it takes away a lot of the complexity of such a repair.

Best of luck,

Monte

[Scott M.]

Re: Winshield Frame Uh Oh :-(

I think I may have found what I need. Bair's Corvettes says they carry the "Windshield Frame RH Lower Outer Corner" for $198. I have never dealt with them before. Anybody have any experience with them before?