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Anyone changed a windshield at home?

JUNK-MAN

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My truck winfshield has some bad fogging, a bunch of chips and a few cracks and needs to be replaced. Should I cough up the cash and have a shop do it or try it myself. I can get one at the local pick a part for 30 bucks opposed to 100 plus from a shop. If I do it myself what am i getting into and what kind of special tools will i need if any? Thanks

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txvwnut

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Bedford, Texas
Glue in or rubber gasket?

Gasket get a new seal and some string and go for it.

Glue in get a windshield place to do it.
 
OP
J

JUNK-MAN

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Glue in or rubber gasket?

Gasket get a new seal and some string and go for it.

Glue in get a windshield place to do it.
How would you tell? Its a 91 f150.

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Warrenator

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May 31, 2008
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Newberg, OR
I had a company that does mobile replacements do mine, 2 trucks, both with glue-in windshields. I watched them do it, 2 man team. They made it look easy but it is not, lots of expertise in those guys. Gotta have the right glue, the right little clips for the trim, gotta know how much to pull and where so you don't bend the trim. I would have it done.
 

rsanter

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visalia ca
91 is a glue in.
Have it done. If you shop around you may be surprised that is not that expensive.

Also, some of the pick a parts now have a windshield place next to them that will pull a used windshield and install it for you. Just price it to see if it is enough savings

Bob
 

Arne73

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I did my own windshield install once. Cracked it. Personally, I'd pay to have it done.

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nine4gmc

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Dallas
I did my rear glass, glue in just like the front but I don't think I would attempt a front windshield. My rear glass was from a junk yard too, took two tries to get one out in one piece and no chips, a front window would be a nightmare imo.
 

MrCat63

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Sep 23, 2014
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San Jacinto, Ca
I did a glue in, if I needed another I would probably pay to have it done. It's a bit cumbersome and difficult to keep straight. Tough clean up if you get one dhesive where you don't want it.

Not trying to scare you off, mine turned out pretty good. Give it a go if you are up to it, could save you some cash. Be careful taking the old one out.

Get some suction cup handles to hold the new glass.
 
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3 Gun Shooter

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Jan 29, 2015
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I pull windshields to replace sunroofs and headliners. My glass guy charges me $40 to cut out a glue in windshield without breaking it and reinstalling. He's done a few like that for waterleaks where someone else didn't use enough sealant.

Everyday he replaces 3-6 windshields for me.
 

pmason0

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East Tennessee
I have built two race cars where I had to have the window taken out to install the cage and found a local window place that would come out and reinstall the window later for ~$130 if I remember. They would always say there is no guarantee if they break it taking it out.
 

pl_silverado

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West Bradford, PA
I've done a bunch. Its not hard.

Last one, cost for windshield was $ 70 bucks. This was on an 07 GMC Sierra.

Called safelite, they wanted $ 300+. No-brainer there.
 

nine4gmc

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Dallas
You need the right tools, adhesives and experience to do it correctly, so just hire it out.


They sell all that stuff to anyone, you do not need a license to buy windshield tools and even the guy with experience had a first time. You sound like the guy that told me I could not do my back window. "Only trained professionals can glue a window in, it will blow out the first time you roll the windows down".... he said. over 5 yrs ago...

I'm only worried OP will spend more money in glass and tools than a having someone else do it. If it's a $100 glass and install, pay it and be done but if it's a $300 job, I would go my *** right down to the body shop supply and pick up a tube of windshield adhesive and get to work.
 

ddawg16

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The fogging is caused by you not cleaning the inside surface of it. The plastics in your car outgas....this puts a chemical film on the surface of the glass.

Use windex to clean it. The chips? Unless it's cracked, I'd hold off.
 

Git

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I have used Safelite a couple of times now and have been very happy with them. The price was reasonable - I was paying, and it is even cheaper if you take it in to their shop, but I had them come out to the house

I wanted to see what a new windshield would cost for a "07 GMC Sierra". $188 at my house with a lifetime warranty. (No brainer)
 

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APEowner

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Sunny, New Mexico
It's really not a difficult job. The things that can go wrong are, sealant on interior parts that's difficult to remove, scratched paint, bent or damaged trim, leaks or busted glass.

On that truck you'll need a windshield trim removal tool, some windshield cutout wire, windshield butyl (I prefer the tape because it's less messy), a gasket scraper, some kind of general purpose adhesive cleaner and a helper.

You can get a tool to hold the wire but I just use a pair of vice grips on each end.

Remove the interior and exterior trim.

Poke the wire through the butyl and attach whatever you're using for handles.

Saw your way around the sides and top of the windshield.

Start working your way across the bottom from each side as you push the glass out to gain access ( think those have a couple of locating block along the bottom edge of the glass that you'll want to hang onto for reuse)

Clean the old butyl off the windshield frame.

Clean the new windshield.

Apply the butyl to the the truck and if there are any place the locating blocks.

Carefully position the windshield in the frame paying attention to the locating blocks and the gaps on the sides.

Press firmly and evenly around the glass compressing the butyl. This is the nerve wracking part because you have to push pretty hard to get the glass down far enough for the trim to go back on. Push on as large an area as you can at one time. Use two hands pushing with your full palm and fingers.

If, at any time you decide that the glass isn't in the correct position cut it out and start over. Do not try to pry it sideways into position (you can guess how I know this).

Clean the edges of the glass again.

Reinstall the trim.

Cleanup.

Step back and admire your work.
 

APEowner

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The fogging is caused by you not cleaning the inside surface of it. The plastics in your car outgas....this puts a chemical film on the surface of the glass.

It may also be caused by the glass layers de-laminating. A not uncommon problem with Ford trucks of that era.
 

OCJohn

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Jan 11, 2015
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Disneyland
91 is a glue in.
Have it done. If you shop around you may be surprised that is not that expensive.
Agreed.

I've done it several times (on a race car where quality didn't really matter...) Installing the new glass is pretty straight forward. Watch a youtube video or two. And buy the right butyl rubber windshield adhesive... But getting the old glass out is a real PITA. The pros can do it in 10-15min. It probably took me a couple hours with a lot of sweating and some scratching of paint. But I guess you can practice at the salvage yard if you're determined to DIY. :)
 

nh_yota

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Seacoast New Hampshire
They sell all that stuff to anyone, you do not need a license to buy windshield tools and even the guy with experience had a first time. You sound like the guy that told me I could not do my back window. "Only trained professionals can glue a window in, it will blow out the first time you roll the windows down".... he said. over 5 yrs ago...

I'm only worried OP will spend more money in glass and tools than a having someone else do it. If it's a $100 glass and install, pay it and be done but if it's a $300 job, I would go my *** right down to the body shop supply and pick up a tube of windshield adhesive and get to work.

That was my point - if it's just one windshield it's probably cheaper and easier to pay a pro to do it. Don't get me wrong, I do lots of things myself and I'm not afraid to tackle things that may be over my head, but some things are not worth the time and effort.
 

dogdog

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Just don't be like this guy:


actually that is pretty practical, what was wrong with his methods?.... and about the same way I did mine.... except I used the Fein multi-tool with a caulking blade good for all 3 side (top, and two side, except the bottom.)

He had some other videos I think, with casting aluminum running the burner right on the sidewalk/street... not sure what City allows that...
 

rlitman

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Oct 18, 2010
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Long Island
Agreed.

I've done it several times (on a race car where quality didn't really matter...) Installing the new glass is pretty straight forward. Watch a youtube video or two. And buy the right butyl rubber windshield adhesive... But getting the old glass out is a real PITA. The pros can do it in 10-15min. It probably took me a couple hours with a lot of sweating and some scratching of paint. But I guess you can practice at the salvage yard if you're determined to DIY. :)

Some cars are easier than others. I did the glue-in windshield on my Wrangler, but that has a completely flat glass and a rubber surround that hides mistakes. If it were one of those cars with frameless glass, I wouldn't consider trying.

Scratching paint is one reason I'd suggest farming the work out. That's one of the worst things you can do, because the new urethane adheres best to freshly cut urethane, and spots where it needs to grip bare metal (or even paint) will lead to leaks without priming (and rust damage).
 

gearhead1

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Oct 14, 2013
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NC
I have and it's not difficult. In college, girlfriend's sister had a geo or something and said there's snow coming inside. Basically their dad put in the windshield with regular RTV and it lost grip over time and slid down leaving a small gap at the top.

I went to a local family owned auto parts store that carried more supplies than the chain stores. This place supplied the local auto shops. I bought the adhesive remover and a tube of urethane adhesive/sealant. I cleaned up the old sealant on both the windshield and car with the remover. Not sure what the remover was, but nothing else I tried worked until I got the right stuff from the store. I put a 3/8 to 1/2 bead on the windshield, then set the bottom in first against the feet and layed it over slowly until the top was in contact with the car. Let it sit for 24 hours and no more issues.

I would guess getting it as clean as possible is key. I also used the tube of urethane (like a tube of latex caulk) instead of the roll.

It's really not that difficult.
 

kazlx

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Oct 30, 2012
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Tustin, CA
I just had my 04 Tundra done. $236 installed with brand new glass. Not even worth my time for that. It was done and ready to drive in two hours.
 

Ole Slewfoot

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Feb 22, 2016
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Freedom, CA
On the fords sometimes you save some cash by getting a windshield from IIRC 88 and 89 which are the same but don't have the checker stripe at the top.

If you use glue from a tube, you need a good caulk gun to squeeze it out

If the glue calls from primer, use it.
 

disston

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Oct 1, 2012
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Silver Spring, Md
I used to do my own 20 some years ago. It was more expensive in those days for a new windshield and the whole job was more too. Now I pay to have it done. Too much bother to do it myself and it is actually cheaper than it was when I did them myself.
 

kkroger

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Apr 21, 2013
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1,143
Did a few hundred glue ins in my driveway with no issues, Just be smart when handling the things they are tough but don't like rough handling. Have not done one in a few years though, with the urethane sealers you need a hot knife to remove, the old piano wire or drag knife methods won't work.
 

foghorn1966

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Aug 18, 2012
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228
Location
N. Alberta
One thing that wasn't mentioned. When getting quotes from a glass shop be sure to tell them it is a cash deal. Where I live wind-shields are a consumable. The cash price is usually 50 to 60 % of the insurance price. Which is probably due to the PITA of the paperwork & payment times of dealing with the insurance companies.
 

Falcon67

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Jun 11, 2009
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Merkel, TX
I've done it on my 67 Falcon. The windshield was $325 plus tax cash and carry. About $50 in materials. It was a pure-de *****. Bitumen seal on the old one, not a gasket like the back glass (which was an easy swap). Took days to get the Bitumen out of the channel. What a huge mess. Only did it because the local glass shops have either decided to pass on "classic" installs or charge enough to run you off. We need one for the 2014 Fusion and I'll be damned if I DIY it. $600 to drop it off and pick it up is money well spent IMHO.
 

juiced10

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Oct 21, 2009
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365
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Parish,NY
Use this blade on your sawzall and windshield comes right out with minimal effort. Windshields at most places are cheap with cash out the door.

49-22-5403.jpg
 

rustyjames

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Dec 28, 2008
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central nj
An oscillating tool, with the proper blade, works well to. Cutting would take place from inside the vehicle. I can tell you that there is a learning curve to cutting out, and cleaning up the flanged area where the windshield seats.
 
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