Windshield lifting vacuum suction cups

[browntown]

I will be attempting to replace my windshield and rear window on my project e30 with spares from a parts car. I bought these cheapo harbor freight suction cups and surprise, they slip when holding the glass. These are the culprits that will go in the scrap aluminum pile:

http://www.harborfreight.com/aluminum-suction-cup-lifter-92825.html

Was hoping that some of you fellas in the auto-body or tile trades had some recommendations for suction cups that were reliable.

I saw one that looked like this while watching "West Coast Customs" and although it looks very cool, it is much expensive.

found here at grainger: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/POWRGRIP-Vacuum-Cup-6A984?Pid=search

 

[e-tek]

I do a lot of resto work and I don't do glass. The pro's have all the tools, knowledge, urethane and parts (clips).

But if you're set on DIY, spray a little water on the suction cup to stop slipage.

 

[hotrozz]

We install one piece semi-truck windshields using some cheap rubber suction cups, they seem to work fine.

 

[browntown]

Hmm, maybe the glass is dirty from storage and messing up the seal. I might give the harbor freight ones one more chance.

 

[DanCo]

I've done windshields on Mack trucks using some cheapie suction cups from puke-boys. Looked like the HF's posted above, only mine are plastic and red in color.

 

[Danglerb]

Just guessing, but I would clean the windshield and the suction cup, and aim for just the right amount of wet.

I would also practice by taking out the bad windshield first.

Also glass is heavy, I was planning on using at least two of the double suction cup old phone looking things.

 

[nate379]

For how much that one Grainger cups cost you could have both the windows done by a pro and enough left over for a couple cases of beer!

 

[Capri driver]

I worked in the OE auto glass industry for many years and the cups that we used were the Veribor brand from Germany.

The glass does need to be very clean.

 

[Monte]

www.bohleamerica.com

 

[browntown]

Here are some cheap phone style I might try (unfortunately made in china)
Click here for amazon

 

[rt dak]

Glass tech at my shop uses 2 of these from Astro. He sprays glass cleaner on the glass before sticking them on.

http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Tools-SUCTION-CUP-154LB-ECONOMY/dp/B0038DCOLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1303061838&sr=8-1

 

[Gary S]

When I do windshields, I just put on nitrile gloves and do it by hand. Hands don't slip like suction cups, and nitrile gloves are much cheaper than the cups.

 

[scott37300]

Glass tech at my shop uses 2 of these from Astro. He sprays glass cleaner on the glass before sticking them on.

http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Tools-SUCTION-CUP-154LB-ECONOMY/dp/B0038DCOLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1303061838&sr=8-1

Tooltopia sells them for 23 bucks and if you get two of them shipping is only like 7 bucks instead of the 32 bucks plus 10 dollars shipping each from amazon. They also sell a kit for 145 dollars that comes with two clamps and an air tool to cut the windshield out.

 

[Daedalus]

I've used the 2-cup from harbor freight to manhandle a glass shower door around the house, and it was heavier than a windshield. It worked great.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

With one of these, I dont see how you will ever loose the glass.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1790&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Here ya go, made in good ole Montana

http://www.powrgrip.com/cgi-bin/powrgrip/index.html

 

[browntown]

Here ya go, made in good ole Montana

http://www.powrgrip.com/cgi-bin/powrgrip/index.html

Yup, the grainger one in the first post is made by powrgrip. Just too expensive.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

check ebay, i have seen them on there every once in a while any where from 20 to 50 bucks each.

 

[Grimsaviour]

When I do windshields, I just put on nitrile gloves and do it by hand. Hands don't slip like suction cups, and nitrile gloves are much cheaper than the cups.

Just do some practice runs with a friend to get the feel of it. I've installed many windshields this way before i decided i wanted to afford suction cups. Taking the hood off the car may help as well as it sometimes gets in the way on older makes and models. If you still want to buy some i recomend this style, it ***** harder than a hoover:

http://www.hitechglazing.com/enlarge/19564/

They are available under many different brand names but you will pay around 40$ each for them. They are the most commonly used from my experience in the auto industry.

Good luck