Cutting a windshield?

[afazz]

I removed the windshield on my 94 Jetta. I have a new one, but I want to cut the old PA Inspection stickers out of the old cracked glass. Can I score and snap curved laminated glass or is there a way to cut it?

 

[Steve from Socal]

With laminated glass you might be able to use a diamond grit saw blade. Scoring won't work, can you get a reissue with proof of change? That or water jet.

Steve

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Yes, the professionals use STEAM for any sticker on glass just like when removing window tint. With inspection sticker hot steam will peel off leaving glue on sticker so you can replace again.
If you don't have access to a steamer- sometimes WD40 or Goof-off will soften the adhesive enough to remove it.

 

[Ron Lombardo]

WINDEX removes the sticker ....

 

[tcianci]

Not sure about how it is in your state but here in MA they manage to take them off andput them back on with a larger piece of tape forming a border around the original sticker and the tape is imprinted with a windshiled replacement text.

As far as cutting laminated glass. It's commonly done in the hot rod world. Both sides are scored and then there's a little trick they do with lighter fluid, lighting it off and bending the glass to get the plastic inner layer to let go. I'm guessing there's probably a YouTube video about it ( most anything that involves sharp things and open flames has its own YouTube video)

 

[pearltsi]

I would just take a small torch to the outside of the window where the sticker is, and then scrape it off.

 

[Kevin54]

Shouldn't you be able to just get a new sticker? I'm sure windows get busted and replaced fairly often.

 

[jayoldschool]

Take photo. Open in photoshop. Touch up. Print new sticker.

 

[six-T-seven]

With laminated glass you might be able to use a diamond grit saw blade. Scoring won't work, can you get a reissue with proof of change? That or water jet.

Steve

not sure about laminated glass but you can't cut tempered glass with a waterjet.

 

[SM Racing]

You can cut class with a plasma cutter. Tempered glass will shatter however, usually after about 5 minutes. Its really weird. Wonder what it would do to a windshield.

 

[D.J.]

Take it to your local FD and ask them if they can cut the glass for you. A sawsall with a very coarse blade will work or a product called a Glass Master will work.

 

[Steve from Socal]

not sure about laminated glass but you can't cut tempered glass with a waterjet.

I never heard of anyone cutting tempered glass at all once it is tempered. Tempering the glass increases the surface tension in all directions. Laminated safety glass is not tempered.

Steve

 

[stephen4785]

Score the front and back with a class cutter. Tap the line with a rubber mallet until you can move the section up and down. Take some lighter fluid and squirt it into the crack. Set the fluid on fire and pull the piece of glass off.
It's how they do windshields when they need to shorten them.

 

[Garage5.9]

You can cut class with a plasma cutter. Tempered glass will shatter however, usually after about 5 minutes. Its really weird. Wonder what it would do to a windshield.

seriously ? I thought it had to be conductive and last time i checked glass wasn't. Enlighten me

 

[Grazz256]

Score the front and back with a class cutter. Tap the line with a rubber mallet until you can move the section up and down. Take some lighter fluid and squirt it into the crack. Set the fluid on fire and pull the piece of glass off.
It's how they do windshields when they need to shorten them.

Similar to this video..

 

[CARS]

seriously ? I thought it had to be conductive and last time i checked glass wasn't. Enlighten me

I've seen it done. The first one cracked, but the second one worked out great.

The guy used aluminum tape as the conductor. Can't remember if he put it on both sides or not.

 

[bad_idea]

i had my inspection sticker stolen from my truck last year. just the sticker. they broke into my truck to steal a sticker..... anyways, i called up the shop that inspected the truck and they reissued me a sticker. didn't cost me anything when i explained to the man someone stole it.

 

[SM Racing]

Nope, doesn't need to be conductive. I didn't believe it either until I tried it. I would like to try it with a non tempered glass to see if it lasts better. Tempered car side window glass will explode shortly after cutting. It will make a mess, but when you cut it, the glass just cuts right through with no problems.