Some advice.......the windshield is held in with special adhesive. You just can't use ANYTHING. This is because of federal crash tests(more or less). Windshields must prevent bodies from ejecting the vehicle. Keep this in mind next time you replace yours.....

 

and this is why its considered a federal saftey device...


and why insurance (atleast in south carolina) is required to replace them, free of charge, if damaged.

 

I have seen people use "blue rtv" to seal the windshield. Not to mention a hundred other things people have used. Thought it would be a good thing for people to know. Maybe hit this thread in a search or something. Might sound stupid but this thread could save a life......

 

then again, if people wernt idiots, they would be wearing their seatbelts and sitting properly and wont have to worry about going thru the windshield at all.

 

I'll agree with that one. I have used my seat belt since 17yrs old.

 

...yeah I believe its VSS208 and VSS212 that our vehicles have to pass in regards to windshield integrity. I think that equates to roughly 600-700psi retention on the w/s. It is not just the urethane adhesive but also the correct primers and preps to bond the glass to the pinchweld of the vehicle. Oh well it will never stop some from replacing their own glass or better yet going to thje cheapest place and thinking that they just saved money but at what expense??? A w/s install is not like buying a cam or a sub or even rims. It can and will save your life but only if installed correctly. Some people may have a new w/s but just how well is that glass bonded into the vehicle and was the 50 dollars you saved worth it???

 

I do 100% of the repairs/mods on my car(s) and worked at several type shops. That's how I learned about this subject. There is some that can't afford to have a windshield installed(that has a family).....or that rtv idiot. Then you have the diy guy that needs to know about this! Thanks for supporting the thread. I'll have to find the gm/napa/pukezone part number for people searching...

 

To most people its all about cosmetics. If the w/s looks good and there is nothing visible and no water comes in when it rains then the job must be 100% right??? What they fail to realize is that if you are travelling down the road at 60 MPH and strike another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction your w/s can save your life. Not just by retaining you inside the passenger compartment but by also maintaining the structural integrity that your vehicle was deisgned to have. Many upper scale manufacturers like BMW/Mercedes/Vovlo and also Volkswagen actually use a urethane adhesive with a higher adhesive bond(closer to 1200 PSI) and utilize glass just like a boxed frame in regards to body integrity. By using a lesser bonding urethane when replacing a glass part on these vehicles, the integrity is compromised. This will result in minor things like extra interior noise/squeaks. Also cornering/body roll is greatly affected. Thre amount of force required to collapse the passenger compartment is decreased by over 55 percent. This means in the real life a simple collision at 35 MPH can kill all occupants in a vehicle that isdesigned for this type of installation, but has not had the replacement glass installed to specifications.

 

Those take a bit more time to cut out at the boneyard. Some replacement windshields in thirdgens have that same type urethane. I would bet that's the hot ticket for adhesive..

 

good idea a lot of people prep and paint there own cars. 3M makes urethane just for glass installation in two grades ,im sure other co. do also and don`t paint the flange your bonding to bare metal and the butal primer made for your type of urethane otherwise it only sticks as good as your paint also a minimum of 24 hrs to cure before driving . not guesing i manage a body shop hope it helps some

 

Yah i got my windshild replaced under insurance cause a rock chip split my old one up. They used urathane too,,,,but these guys only had my car for like 2or3 hrs and they let me take it right after. MAN I love new glass it makes a heck of a difference,,,makes me fell like im driveing a new car.

Yah we do drive unibody cars and thats one thing i learned is the windshield is a major part in keeping the roof from colapsing in a roll over. But Frankly i dont want the windshild for holding me in the car thats ok, thats what my seatbelts for (I like my face the way it is now).

 

seatbelts can fail, especially thirdgen ones w/ weak belt retainer springs...

 

and thats why they should be replaced and maintained like every other aspect of a car.

 

yep i had my recal done,,,, how bout you????