Windshield removal ?

Red128

Red128

Daily Driver
Hey everyone I’m going to begin working on the minor rust areas and body of my fiat 128 but I wanted to know if I had to remove the windshield to work on these areas. I really don’t want remove it to just because it’s old and I feel like I will break it and it will be difficult and expensive to find a replacement. Maybe I can work around it??
 

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Unfortunately the rust is often worse under/behind the trim/glass edge. So removal is the best way to really repair all of it. But it might depend on the extent of the rust, the level of restoration desired, and how well you can work around the windshield while it's still in place. I'm not very familiar with the 128, but on the X the glass and the "chrome" trim around the perimeter are glued on separately. And that trim can be removed without disturbing the windshield or its seal. After removing just the trim you can get to a lot more of the rust, and better see just how extensive it is. If the 128 is made the same way, then I'd start by removing just the trim and go from there. To reinstall the trim there is a windshield adhesive that isn't difficult to do.

If it becomes absolutely necessary to remove the windshield itself, then I'd find a shop that specializes in windshield repair. Typically the price is to remove the old and install a new glass. But you should be able to negotiate the removal and later reinstallation of the old glass for the same sum (which isn't a lot). They are experts in doing it and this way if it gets broken then they are on the hook for it. Plus they are better at sealing it properly to avoid future leaks and more rust. Again, this is assuming the 128 has the same style mounting as the X. But even if it has a rubber "push-in" weatherseal I'd still consider having a specialist shop do the removal and reinstallation. Those types are easier to do, but if the 128 windshield is rare to find a new replacement, and accordingly expensive, then it is a good investment to have someone very experienced do the work.
 
According to the X1/9 shop manual, the procedure to loosen the windshield is to connect the two wires behind where the defroster vents are to two 12V batteries in series (24V total) in order to heat the adhesive. I wonder if the 128 has a similar setup.
 
My Lancia Beta had rust like yours. Unless you have done glass work before, you should leave removal and install to a pro. Be ready to buy a new windshield if yours breaks in handling. I called a local mobile glass shop to do the work. I told them that I wanted to remove it to do body work and they would have to come twice. They were agreeable to that. They also found a new replacement windshield for me at their "warehouse'.
 
I guess I’ll be taking it to a reputable windshield repair shop. I don’t want to work around it and kind of half ass it especially that I’m going to get it painted as well so I’d prefer it coming out right. Appreciate the advice! 👍🏼
 
Red128 said:
I guess I’ll be taking it to a reputable windshield repair shop. I don’t want to work around it and kind of half ass it especially that I’m going to get it painted as well so I’d prefer it coming out right. Appreciate the advice! 👍🏼
Click to expand...
I’d certainly find out availability and price of a proper replacement before you attempt anything. They may not be plentiful...
 
I removed the windshield in my 77 128 sedan. Mine also had rust along the edges and once the winshield was removed there was a lot more rust and the drainage holes were clogged. Removing the windshield should be done carefully, I cracked mine when i was removing the stainless trim. The trim was stuck into the rubber gasket really good and when I was pulling and holding the windshield down it still cracked. The gasket was no good when I removed the winshield. I could never find the same rubber gasket for my 77, end up going with the Euro gasket and no glue needed, its a pain to install.
Finding a windshield for the 128 is really difficult, note that I live in Ontario Canada, so there are not that many here.

I talked to many glass places and they would remove it but I had to sign, that if they cracked it too bad. They looked into finding a windshield and it was impossible. So I ended up getting one from Europe and had it shipped, crossing my fingers. It arrived packed really good and no cracks.
 
Dalbello said:
I could never find the same rubber gasket for my 77, end up going with the Euro gasket and no glue needed, its a pain to install.
Click to expand...
My understanding is cars with windshields that are glued in vs the same model of car that are "push-in" (no glue needed) use different sizes of glass (overall outer dimensions). So one type of glass cannot be installed with the other type of attachment.
 
Yes there are different windshields sizes from the early years to the later ones. I could never find the glue in gasket so I have to go with the euro one.
 
Dalbello said:
Yes there are different windshields sizes from the early years to the later ones. I could never find the glue in gasket so I have to go with the euro one.
Click to expand...
I figured that was what you meant by installing a Euro gasket AND Euro windshield. I bet that wasn't cheap to get shipped. :rolleyes:
 
This is the situation I am in right now with my X. Prevoius owner did rust repair and repainted the car, looking quite good. However, the car was painted without taking out the windshield, and when I asked why he siad that he could not find anyone to take it out, and that it probably wasnt any rust their anyway....Thing is that all other repairs look good from under beneath, I was more annoyed with the masking marks on the rubber/seal, and maybe some tiny spots. This was spring 2018.
Looking like this;
1611419644775.png

Anyways, summer 2020 and I think I should do something about this and take out the screen. After consulting some other X guys it stood clear that it was glued in and the chrome on top of it, also glued. Took it to my pro and he cut it out in one piece, using a thin wire, sawing it out.
Looking like this from underneath. Not decided yet if shaping it and re-glue or shave off almost all.
1611419901920.png

However, that will be a problem for later, this is what met my eyes when the screen got out.....
1611420088129.png

1611420144118.png

Piuuh, not what I wanted to see. And after studying a lot the dash came out and I have started to clean the metal to see what
to do here;
1611420305680.png

1611420358815.png

This is where I am right now, trying to find some replacement parts or manufacturing on my own. In touch with Henk in Holland that has a frame cut out, blasted and primed. I guess lesson learned is that I should have been more suspicious when I bought he car, now I just have to finish the job I have started. Good thing it is January, still time before season starts here in Sweden:)
 
Edit - sorry if went OT, my view was that I think you need to remove the windscreen, but then you may open Pandoras box because a little rust indication can end up being a lot to fix in the end.
 
Andy X said:
This is the situation I am in right now with my X. Prevoius owner did rust repair and repainted the car, looking quite good. However, the car was painted without taking out the windshield, and when I asked why he siad that he could not find anyone to take it out, and that it probably wasnt any rust their anyway....Thing is that all other repairs look good from under beneath, I was more annoyed with the masking marks on the rubber/seal, and maybe some tiny spots. This was spring 2018.
Looking like this;
View attachment 41649
Anyways, summer 2020 and I think I should do something about this and take out the screen. After consulting some other X guys it stood clear that it was glued in and the chrome on top of it, also glued. Took it to my pro and he cut it out in one piece, using a thin wire, sawing it out.
Looking like this from underneath. Not decided yet if shaping it and re-glue or shave off almost all.
View attachment 41650
However, that will be a problem for later, this is what met my eyes when the screen got out.....
View attachment 41651
View attachment 41652
Piuuh, not what I wanted to see. And after studying a lot the dash came out and I have started to clean the metal to see what
to do here;
View attachment 41653
View attachment 41654
This is where I am right now, trying to find some replacement parts or manufacturing on my own. In touch with Henk in Holland that has a frame cut out, blasted and primed. I guess lesson learned is that I should have been more suspicious when I bought he car, now I just have to finish the job I have started. Good thing it is January, still time before season starts here in Sweden:)
Click to expand...
I feel for you. I wonder what the area under/around the windshield looked like before it was painted. You would think there was some sign of the rust showing from under the edge of the glass. But that chrome trim piece can hide a lot, so maybe it did not extend that far out when the prior work was done.

I'm prepping one of my X's for paint and had the same decision to make - weather to remove the windshield or not. In my case the car is very original, including the paint, and very rust free throughout. The windshield did not leak and there is no sign of any rust around it. But like you I don't like seeing masking tape lines around trim so I decided to start by removing just the chrome trim. It came off easily and that allowed me to verify there isn't any sign of rust under the glass...in fact it was much cleaner under the trim than the rest of the area (mostly sun damage). This also allows me to paint up to the glass and cover the paint edge with the trim piece afterwords. Therefore I think only removing the chrome trim is a good alternative to removing the windshield if nothing indicates any rust problems exist. At least it will allow a better opportunity to examine things without upsetting the glass.
 
Dr.Jeff said:
I feel for you. I wonder what the area under/around the windshield looked like before it was painted. You would think there was some sign of the rust showing from under the edge of the glass. But that chrome trim piece can hide a lot, so maybe it did not extend that far out when the prior work was done.

I'm prepping one of my X's for paint and had the same decision to make - weather to remove the windshield or not. In my case the car is very original, including the paint, and very rust free throughout. The windshield did not leak and there is no sign of any rust around it. But like you I don't like seeing masking tape lines around trim so I decided to start by removing just the chrome trim. It came off easily and that allowed me to verify there isn't any sign of rust under the glass...in fact it was much cleaner under the trim than the rest of the area (mostly sun damage). This also allows me to paint up to the glass and cover the paint edge with the trim piece afterwords. Therefore I think only removing the chrome trim is a good alternative to removing the windshield if nothing indicates any rust problems exist. At least it will allow a better opportunity to examine things without upsetting the glass.
Click to expand...
I will definitely remove some more paint, aim to stay on the actual frame (and the piece in front of the glass with the jets and the vipers), and try to have the new paint line end in the 'pocket' where the fender connects. I have been warned that the chrome trim is basically impossible to get hold of if damaged, one should be very careful. The glass is still available here, but I really wanted to keep that intact because its like new.
 
Andy X said:
This is the situation I am in right now with my X. Prevoius owner did rust repair and repainted the car, looking quite good. However, the car was painted without taking out the windshield, and when I asked why he siad that he could not find anyone to take it out, and that it probably wasnt any rust their anyway....Thing is that all other repairs look good from under beneath, I was more annoyed with the masking marks on the rubber/seal, and maybe some tiny spots. This was spring 2018.
Looking like this;
View attachment 41649
Anyways, summer 2020 and I think I should do something about this and take out the screen. After consulting some other X guys it stood clear that it was glued in and the chrome on top of it, also glued. Took it to my pro and he cut it out in one piece, using a thin wire, sawing it out.
Looking like this from underneath. Not decided yet if shaping it and re-glue or shave off almost all.
View attachment 41650
However, that will be a problem for later, this is what met my eyes when the screen got out.....
View attachment 41651
View attachment 41652
Piuuh, not what I wanted to see. And after studying a lot the dash came out and I have started to clean the metal to see what
to do here;
View attachment 41653
View attachment 41654
This is where I am right now, trying to find some replacement parts or manufacturing on my own. In touch with Henk in Holland that has a frame cut out, blasted and primed. I guess lesson learned is that I should have been more suspicious when I bought he car, now I just have to finish the job I have started. Good thing it is January, still time before season starts here in Sweden:)
Click to expand...
Sorry, a bit confused: what do you mean by a “frame cut out”?
 
tvmaster said:
Sorry, a bit confused: what do you mean by a “frame cut out”?
Click to expand...
Sounded a bit strange - what I meant was that he has a windscreen frame that is cut off from a scrapped car.
I have found some different kind of repair panels on the net, but strangely enough nothing for the windscreenframe even
though most cars seems to have rust issues with it, at least cars not living in dry and sunny places.
 
I have removed a number of windshields pursuant to comprehensive restoration, repair, or as part of building a racecar. Its an important point that cracking the windshield is possibility regardless of the care taken. For that reason I would suggest you identify a source for a replacement prior to removing yours as your local automotive glass company isn't likely to have one.

You really don't have an option if you need to repair rust in frame area. And using the factory method of finding the leads, applying voltage and pushing the windshield out is not really practical because the wires have long since rusted away.

After talking with an automotive glass company, that I would use for re-installation, I came up with a method that works pretty well. I used a box cutter to cut through the rubber/glue at the outer edge of the chrome trim. All the way down to the bottom of the channel. I then sharpened a thin putty knife, on both sides and end, with a file and used it to make a similar cut between the inside of the glass and the frame. The technique was to slide the end of the putty knife into the gap between the interior trim and glass. With it in place use a rubber hammer to gently drive it into the seal until it bottomed out against the frame. I worked my way round the entire windshield using this technique. The sharpened sides can be used as a knife to complete the cuts. Be very careful as much of any pressure on the inside of the glass can crack the windshield.

This works but takes a considerable amount of time. I think I worked for most of a weekend on the first one. The last one I did took a couple of hours as my technique had improved. This is not an easy task and considerable care must be taken not to crack the glass. As I worked I applied light pressure to the inside of the windshield at the edge to see if it had come loose. Once I had movement, continued working. It took several 'laps' around the windshield to complete the cuts and free the windshield.

After I had it out I used a razor blade scraper to clean up the edges. For reinstallation the glass company glued it back in.
 
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