# Installing a replacement windshield **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 2, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303 "2024-02-02T00:35:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/21 "2024-02-03T19:20:45Z")
> [@bing](#): > > I always wondered what they do if the string breaks? From what I can tell thin string isn’t used for this job. Requires some sort of cord, woven nylon or cotton, like might be used for a clothesline. There’s usually a lubricant involved also, so the cord is unlikely to break. But if it does and you can’t fish it out, I presume you’d have to start over, probably would require purchasing another rubber seal. Some installers say they use wire instead of cord, which is probably easier to pull along the perimeter, but seems more likely to break. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/22 "2024-02-03T22:39:48Z")
Did you watch their instructional video? Contradicts the notation on the drawing. Frankly, I don’t know how you’d do this any other way. Been involved in a few vintage car installs and this is how it goes: > **[LMC Truck: Front & Rear Glass Install Video](https://www.lmctruck.com/product-videos/kevin-tetz-how-to/front-and-rear-glass-install-video)** > > Shop from thousands of parts and accessories to help you restore, maintain, and customize your Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge or Ford truck or SUV. Keep 'em on the road with the right part, right price, right now. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/23 "2024-02-03T23:32:23Z")
Looks to me it would be impossible to put the gasket on the truck first to then get the windshield in and the trim. But jeez, hirebit done. Also paint the dang truck first. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/24 "2024-02-03T23:42:07Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Also paint the dang truck first. Would also give the same advise. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/25 "2024-02-04T02:40:48Z")
I agree. If you’re going to paint, time to do it is when glass is out. Maybe they’re part of the rat rod enthusiast crowd where leaving it looking rustic is part of the appeal. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/26 "2024-02-04T12:54:45Z")
I’ve always said there are only two things I can’t tackle working on my car: 1) State inspection (they won’t let me!) 2) Mounting new tires (I don’t have a tire machine). Last year I needed a new windshield on my Chevy Volt. I went to a local guy who has a great reputation. After I watched him and his helper install it, I now say “There’s three things I won’t fix on my car!” ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/27 "2024-02-04T14:39:53Z")
Classic old trucks like the Chevy square body’s and CK series as well as other classic trucks are very desirable with a lot of Hot Roder’s. People will pay BIG money (6 figures) to take an old Truck with natural Patina and put an aftermarket chassis with modern day running gear and suspension under it, and keep that natural Patina with a clear coat… With Patina, you either get it or you don’t… no sense in trying harder to explain it… And here is another reason for some of us (me) to not paint our vehicles… lol _The average cost of a new paint job on a classic car is $3,900.00. The prices we found ranged from $2,200.00 to upwards of $10.000, **with some higher than $30,000** depending on the car, paint scheme, trim, and bodywork needed for that specific classic car or vehicle. Custom paint goes much much higher…_ [How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Classic Car?](https://www.shipvehicles.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-paint-a-classic-car/#:~:text=The%20average%20cost%20of%20a,specific%20classic%20car%20or%20vehicle). ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/28 "2024-02-04T14:45:09Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > Safelite used to say that they would do the job at your location or waive the $50 deductible if you bring it to their shop. If your insurer uses Safelite, you might as them if they will waive the deductible. A couple of years ago, I got a small rock “ding” in my windshield, which I assumed I could ignore. By the following morning, it had grown to a crack about 7 inches long, so I realized that I had little choice but to replace it. I called my insurance company, they verified that they would cover the cost–minus my $100 “comprehensive” deductible–if I used Safelite, and then they transferred me directly to Safelite’s phone. The work was done 2 days later, in my driveway. I have no idea regarding how much the insurance company was charged for the work, but my share was only $100. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/29 "2024-02-04T15:29:39Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > And here is another reason for some of us (me) to not paint our vehicles How about this one- I spent the better part of a year smoothing frame rails, firewall etc, gloss painting everything in the engine bay area, relocating all electrical, hydraulic and fuel lines inside the frame. Friend’s jabbed me about being able to comb your hair in the reflection on the firewall or inner fenders. The exterior paint was custom metal flake with half a dozen layers of clear polished to a high gloss. I finished the car (we’re never REALLY finished but let’s say completed this effort) close to winter time. I drove it once before planning to put it into storage. On the way to the storage facility, a deer jumped out in front of me and I hit it going 40 mph. I sat in the car with coolant gushing from the punctured rad, hood, fender, bumper- whole front end all bent up and pushed into the driver’s door leading edge so I couldn’t open it…dashed it back home and into my garage. Closed the door and never looked at it again for almost a year- totally demoralized. I vowed then, never to make another piece of jewelry out of a car… ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/30 "2024-02-04T15:54:31Z")
A lot of builders will do the same, interior included (or full on custom), and then leave the 50+ yo paint alone and just clear coat it for protection… Yeah, I would have just crawled up in a ball in a corner somewhere and cried like a baby in your case… lol I have always been more into the performance than the look of a vehicle… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/31 "2024-02-04T21:10:40Z")
I’d worry a little about repainting a classic-patina car after watching those shows on tv about antiques who’s value is greatly reduced b/c they’ve been refinished. If a new paint job is needed to renew the rust protecting however, that seems justified. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/32 "2024-02-07T19:57:38Z")
That story even depresses me and I am an optimist. The only windshield I ever replaced was on my 61 Dodge Dart Phoenix. I was pretty broke and bought a used windshield from a junkyard. I used a ton of liquid Ivory dish detergent as lube and sweated bullets the whole time. I will never do another windshield or work on a rusted out exhaust system again. You don’t save much money and the pros do it so much better and quicker. Brajes are another matter, you save a lot of money and the work is easy and foes not take long. The hardest thing is getting one end of the car up on jack stands… By the way, the stainless steel exhausts still rust out around here in 10-12 years if a car is used to commutein the winter although people no longer buy a clunker as a winter car. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/33 "2024-02-07T20:35:03Z")
> [@oldtimer-11](#): > > or work on a rusted out exhaust system again Same here. The last straw was a long time ago when I purposely kept my head out from under the car and reached as far as I could to wiggle the pipes and still got rust in my face. I broke that promise once since then and regretted it all over. Replacing a cracked exhaust manifold- that is worth every penny you would pay someone else to do that job. It’s like a simple job replacing a bathroom fixture and the next thing you know, it’s stripped back to the studs trying to get rusty hardware loose… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/34 "2024-02-07T21:01:10Z")
> [@oldtimer-11](#): > > work on a rusted out exhaust system Not much experience w/exhaust work, but if I had a rusty one that needed fixing, I’d probably start by removing the entire ass’y from the car, from the exhaust manifold to the tailpipe, then replace/fix what needs doing on the workbench. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 9:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/35 "2024-02-08T09:45:36Z")
For a DIY to replace the whole exhaust system has to be done underneath the car unless you have a high lift and you need a two piece tailpipe to get it over the axle. I would imagine that a factory stainless steel exhaust might outlasythe car outside of the rust belt. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/36 "2024-02-08T13:15:29Z")
> [@oldtimer-11](#): > > I would imagine that a factory stainless steel exhaust might outlasythe car outside of the rust belt. +1 The only car on which I ever had to do any exhaust work was my POS '74 Volvo, and I had to do it twice, unfortunately. Since that time, I’ve never had to replace any exhaust components on any of my vehicles, and that includes up to 12 years of use in NJ–which does heavily salt the roads in the winter. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/37 "2024-02-08T13:59:50Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > if I had a rusty one that needed fixing, I’d probably start by removing the entire ass’y from the car, from the exhaust manifold to the tailpipe, then replace/fix what needs doing on the workbench > [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > Not much experience w/exhaust work 😀 It would be fun as an observer to watch the learning curve unfold- the realization of the futility of that approach. Kinda like building a boat in your basement. Now what? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/38 "2024-02-08T14:06:06Z")
As a teenager I did some exhaust system work. If the exhaust pipe is bad, muffler and tailpipe good, what would be gained by removing everything to replace the exhaust pipe? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/39 "2024-02-08T14:11:44Z")
I will still do exhaust work. I grew up working on rusty cars so I have learned the techinques. Never try and save a sketchy pipe…Change ALL the pipes up to the cat or manifold if needed. Never let a rusty bolt beat you! A saws-all gets the pipes out of the way. A bolted flange gets the impact wrench… or a cut off wheel…or the blue tip wrench! Exhaust manifolds always get a more gentle treatment since replacing them can get you in a world of hurt. Lots of penetrating oils. Studs get their nuts cherry’d up with the blue tip wrench so they come off and not break. Wear safety glasses and gloves. Swear at it like a trucker! ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303/40 "2024-02-08T21:30:18Z")
That approach makes the most sense by my thinking. Cut everything out, then replace with new. It may be possible to retain certain componets of course. The amount of work required under the vehicle must vary quite a bit vehicle to vehicle. My v8 truck’s exhaust system is pretty complicated at the engine end, but very simple after the two banks join together. I’ll grant it may not be possible to wrap it around the axle in one piece. I think my Corolla’s exhaust system might be replaceable in one piece, or at most two pieces. No? [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-a-replacement-windshield/194303.md?page=3)