Windshield

[bpossel]

Last night in the process of dismantling my car for the repaint, I came to the windshield removal.

In spite of being very very careful, my windshield cracked…. :?  Right down the middle.  Note: it already had a small crack before I started, so that may have also contributed...

They always say to plan more than expected for a resto, but it really hurts, especially when you are careful….

One thing I wanted to pass on that may have prevented this, is that I should have simply cut the rear lip of the rubber seam.  I took a sharp knife and cut off the rear lip of the seam (all the way around).  The windshield at that point seemed to just lift out…  

This weekend I will start in the engine bay area….

Bob


bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by bpossel

Last night in the process of dismantling my car for the repaint, I came to the windshield removal.

In spite of being very very careful, my windshield cracked…. :?  Right down the middle.  Wow, did I feel my heart sink.

They always say to plan more than expected for a resto, but it really hurts, especially when you are careful….

One thing I wanted to pass on that may have prevented this, is that I should have simply cut the rear lip of the rubber seam.  What I did instead was to pry up on this rear seem and gently push on the rear of the windshield, moving around the windshield in an even fashion…  Well, that was a mistake….  Crack[!]!

I then took a sharp knife and cut off the rear lip of the seam (all the way around).  The windshield at that point seemed to just lift out…  Well, that was a 600 dollar boo-boo.  As my wife put it…  “just face it, you screwed up!” :twisted:   A couple of martinis later, that comment just melted away….

This weekend I will start in the engine bay area….

Bob


bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

OUCH !!!![:0]

If it's any consolation most of us, over the years, have had a "Now why did I do that moment"....

After my "moments" , I sit and somehow try to wish my self back in time to the instant just prior to the "moment"...

Yet to be able to time travel, but I'll keep on trying. :mrgreen:

Funny, I notice that the older I get the more patience I have and the "moments" are a bit fewer...

The end result will be more then worth what you're going through !!!

ED A.
1971 280SL
1988 300CE TWIN TURBO
1990 C43 AMG
2003 G55 AMG

[waqas]

Hello Bob,

Good of you to post your mistake and tip on how to avoid it. Another fine testament is how you've taken it in stride and moved on. Looking forward to seeing more of your project as it progresses!

Waqas ('Wa-kaas') in Austin, Texas

[mdsalemi]

Sorry Bob!  But if it was your original windscreen--look at the bright side: a new one will not be pitted with the sandblasting of 30+ years of driving!

That being said, some things are just best left in the hands of professionals.  I bet you could have had a local windshield guy come out and remove it for $50 and a beer.  Most of the time would have been with the beer.

The guys who just brought a piano into my house gave me this sage advice.  "PLEASE" they said, "If you are going to move this, hire a professional piano mover!  All movers say they move pianos but it's a specialty.  We just brought back a Steinway Model D (n.b. $100,000 piano!!) that someone tried to save a buck on by moving with Two Men and a Truck.  They dropped it.  Now the repair will cost lots of time and lots of money."  I don't plan on moving in the forseeable future but will listen to their advice.

When asking when a pro is needed, ask yourself how much am I saving; are there specialists in this trade; how much would/does a failure cost, and how do I recover from it?

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America