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Windshield Demons

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jerryrosa

jerryrosa

Jedi Trainee
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Hiya All,

I haven't been posting for a bit. I needed a little "Time-Out" from anything MG,....I was having post-restoration gremlins. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

Anway,..an interesting (and extremely aggravating) thing happened with my windshield.

During the bodywork part of the project, I tried to make myself usefull by replacing the windshield, while the frame was off of the car,..I broke 2 trying to do it, and finally took it to a glass shop,..who put the frame together wrong,..but I was able to fix that. Time passes,.bodywork done, windshield installed,..engine done,..I take it for its first ride (home from the shop),..put her in the driveway and go to bed. Next morning 2 big cracks in the windshield,..well,..I could go ON and ON,..but let's just say,..the problem didn't go away,..4 visits to to the glass shop,..8 cracked windshields in 6 weeks,...I was going (more) mental.

So,..I take a few weeks off,..had to work a lot anyway. I figured that the problem might be the frame,..so I ordered every single one I could find on ebay, and a few other places. I now own 6 complete frames (if any of you ever need parts,...I'm your guy LOL).

I felt bad for the guys at the glass shop,..so I decided to give them a break, and try again on my own. Last time I'll ever do that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif,..Crack! Ugh,...the shop I was using is on vacation, so I brought the frame to a shop I use for my boss' cars, and they agreed to do it.

Now here's the whole point of this post:

This shop ordered a couple of different pieces of glass from their suppliers (PPG, Pilkington,..I think),...They get their glass from the same place all of my local shops get it from. They called me to tell me that the wouldn't put any of these windshields into my frame,..because none of them were notched in the corners, to accept the brackets that hold the frame together. The glass I got from Moss was,..so I ordered another from them,..which is now at the shop getting put into the frame.

I'm willing to bet that this is what was causing the stress fractures and my living nightmares /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I'll put the frame onto the car on Thursday,..will post the day after to let you know the results /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ciao,
Jerry
 
Hopefully you know that the screws are different lengths, and installing them in the wrong order will guarantee a cracked windshield.

Good luck!
 
Thanks Steve,

I've got the screw positions down,...though I think that may have been how I cracked the very first piece of glass. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

And I've become a pro at getting that frame to body seal on,..down to 15 minutes now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I'm a chef , and a little pan release (Pam),..makes the job pretty easy.

Jerry
 
I use Joy dish soap. Is mild, and dosen't have any scents or colors added. It's also "in diluted form" what I use to lay down graphics "stickers" on cars.
I used to do it on coach busses. Nothing like laying down a 40 foot long, foot wide vinyl stripe over top of a ton of rivits. lots of quality time with a small squeegee and a heat gun.
I never understood why we diden't paint them on. Duh!
I guess I got lucky doing my dads windshield.
Best of luck to you Jerry. Car's lookin great! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
speaking of Pam... my room mate decided to fix the "security door" on the house the other day. He couldn't find the WD-40 to lube the hinges so he used Pam instead. The door hasn't squeaked since... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Hi Jerry,

I remember your car when you first brought your car to Bob.

I saw your car at Bobs recently. I saw one of your windshields...too bad about that. I gave bob an assist on your parking brake (I sat in the car on the lift while he adjusted the cable).

Car looks great. Hopefully you will get the glass issue behind you. When Bob gets his current restoration back from the painter, you can help him put the windshield in! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway...you have got to mark your calendar for October 1. The Boston Area MG club https://www.bostonareamg.com(that you have yet to join by the way...) is hosting our Second Annual car show down at Edaville. I posted a flyer here- https://www.geocities.com/yellow_mgb/edaville2005/edaville_2005a.jpg

Hope you can make it!

Next you have to get Bob to lower your car (like mine) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif It will make your car handle like it is on rails.

Paul S
my MGB homepage
 
Remember WD in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement. It is closer to a cleaner than a lube. Lubing a door hinge with WD-40 will remove lube from the hinge. It will fix it short term, not long term.

My 2cents.

Gary
 
Hiya Guys,..thanks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have had a whole, unbroken windshield in my car for 2 days now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm soooo happy that this seems to be over with.

Paul,..thanks,..(and thanks for the assist with the parking brake /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) I spent a few hours at Bob's yesterday,..he helped got to the root of the windshield problem, and set me up for inspection (which I passed /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif ).
I'll put the october date on to my calendar (it's good cause I get Saturdays off).

Cheers,

Jerry
 
Thanks Guys,

I've been driving her all weekend,.and having such fun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

In for insurance appraisel next week,..then lojack installation on Friday and things will be done for a little bit /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers!
Jerry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Top job, Jerry. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Now go and enjoy those summer evening drives in your 'brand new' M.G. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
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