Windshield Inspection: Preparing the Glass Opening

One shortcut some car restorers take is never removing the windshield or back glass during the restoration. But these areas can be prone to corrosion, and nothing will create more aggravation than having rust start creeping out a couple years after you spent thousands to repaint the entire car.

Old glass setting adhesives also give way over time, and corrosion leaves the window openings prone to leaking and compromising your interior restoration as well. As scary as removing the glass may seem to many, it’s an important step in completing a quality restoration, and following the steps in this series will ensure you too have first-class results.

A good foundation is the best start for any project, and your windshield opening is no different. We join up with professional auto body technician Terry Wright and Ross Kiehl as they inspect the windshield opening of a 1968 Chevelle SS and take the steps needed to prepare the opening for new glass.

After removing the glass, they begin the process by clearing out the dirt and debris that has accumulated in the opening and then cutting away the old adhesive. This provides a close inspection of every inch of the window opening to give them an opportunity to resolve any issues.

They’ll then use a urethane primer to coat the edges of the opening and prepare it for the glass adhesive. They then set the height of the glass setting blocks and test-fit the glass in the opening, then mark the glass opening to aid in applying the primer and adhesive later on. Along the way, Terry shares some great tips to assist you with your next glass installation project.