DIY windshield installation?
- Thread starter chili_pepper
- Start date
While I could replace mine, for $250 a mobile service will come out and replace it for me. That way, if it leaks or it gets broken on install, it's on them!
Absolutely not and it's stupid to try. There are a few things I farm out and glass is one. Price the parts, supplies and tools needed to do the job then get a quote for someone to come to your house and install it with a warranty
For you, maybe, possibly...I don't know you. But as someone who worked as a paint and body mechanic in a former life, I might have replaced a few previously (though no Jeeps)....so maybe not so stupid for me, eh?
While I appreciate where everyone who posted is coming from, I'm not really someone who's made a habit of paying other people to do things I have the ability to do myself....a trend I hope will continue until my inevitable dirt nap.
Looks like I need to speak with @Wildman .
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His circumstance is slightly different. He has a bent frame that breaks glass. That said, I appreciate savings wherever possible!
Ah, I see....so his breaks itself, interesting (and possibly frustrating). In that case, he would be the guy with the experience then...
I did my own for a few reasons.
1) Jeep is immobile so it's more of a PITA to have someone come replace it.
2) My windshield frame is tweaked a little bit so I can't say how well glass would lay into it.
3) I wanted to use Optic Armor instead of glass to see how it would hold up to the rubbing on trees that I do.
Here's where I replaced mine in my thread.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/wildmans-tj-is-getting-a-face-lift.19356/post-1360872
1) Jeep is immobile so it's more of a PITA to have someone come replace it.
2) My windshield frame is tweaked a little bit so I can't say how well glass would lay into it.
3) I wanted to use Optic Armor instead of glass to see how it would hold up to the rubbing on trees that I do.
Here's where I replaced mine in my thread.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/wildmans-tj-is-getting-a-face-lift.19356/post-1360872
For you, maybe, possibly...I don't know you. But as someone who worked as a paint and body mechanic in a former life, I might have replaced a few previously (though no Jeeps)....so maybe not so stupid for me, eh?
While I appreciate where everyone who posted is coming from, I'm not really someone who's made a habit of paying other people to do things I have the ability to do myself....a trend I hope will continue until my inevitable dirt nap.
Looks like I need to speak with @Wildman .
I have run multiple body shops and the technicians never did glass, ever. We had glass people do that.
You absolutely most definitely need to talk with Wildman..he'll maybe he will even help you do the install
Not sure what to tell you, but I definitely did work in the industry and I definitely replaced windshields, both bonded and rubber seal type. Actually replaced glass at every location one might find it on a vehicle. I never worked at two shops that operated the same way, but when it was an option, I did both the body and paint work on my jobs, start to finish. Fortunately most of the shops I worked at allowed for it.
To be honest, I'm not sure mobile glass repair was much of a business back then...certainly not like it is now.
He'll need some long arms for that, you boys appear to be on the left coast.
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I worked for Safelite for years as a dispatcher and chip repair tech - I never did a glass install, but I assisted on a bunch. The Wrangler windshield is probably the only install I'd try by myself because it's flat. You don't need too many special tools for the job - a caulk gun to run your urethane bead, and maybe a pair of suction cups. Everything else you probably already have on hand to remove the old windshield and clean up the pinch weld. Having said that, I would still compare the cost of materials (glass and a tube of urethane) to the cost of having someone come out and do it, and if it's close just let them do it.
This was my thinking. Given I've glued some more complex ones in, the Jeep didn't feel like too much of a challenge.
Certainly a fair point. I do hope the PO didn't spend to much to have it replaced the last time, cuz they did a right shit job of it!
I did my windshield today took all of an hour, not an issue and one of the easiest windshields to unstall.
I had a clean frame to work with as I just repaired it and painted it. So here is what I did.
I used scotch brute pad to scuff the surface.
add two coats of primer.
put back in the interior trim piece.
cleaned the glass twice wearing gloves to insure no oil from my hands gets on the glass.
install new window glass gasket.
applied urethane caulking.
I use 2 large suc cups to handle the windshield.
laid the window in the frame and pressed it in place going around the window.
used painters tap to put tension on the corners and hold in place whlie it cured.
total cost was 100 dollars Canadian!
I had a clean frame to work with as I just repaired it and painted it. So here is what I did.
I used scotch brute pad to scuff the surface.
add two coats of primer.
put back in the interior trim piece.
cleaned the glass twice wearing gloves to insure no oil from my hands gets on the glass.
install new window glass gasket.
applied urethane caulking.
I use 2 large suc cups to handle the windshield.
laid the window in the frame and pressed it in place going around the window.
used painters tap to put tension on the corners and hold in place whlie it cured.
total cost was 100 dollars Canadian!
My 05's windshield was rusted and cracked the glass, so I got a '97 windshield frame (minus glass) off ebay and took it to get sand blasted. I'll be putting new glass in it myself next weekend. I'm giving the paint a week to cure. Doesn't seem like a difficult task at all but if I had to remove the old glass and scrape the old gasket and do it in place on the vehicle I'd be much less inclined
The best advice I can offer is to get 3 tubes of whatever urethane you're going to be using & get a QUALITY caulking gun. I guess if you did it often then one of the electric ones would be very beneficial but if this is your only use for one then it's not worth the money. I really wish I'd had a better caulking gun & that third tube of urethane.
As far as farming it out or doing it myself? If I'd been driving my Jeep & had insurance on it with window replacement I'd have paid someone to do it. But if you've been following my build I've done everything except for the machine work on the engine myself. My windshield frame was dismounted so I could lay it flat on saw horses to allow me to work on it easier.
Getting the inner gasket installed was easy and honestly went quicker than I expected. The gasket around the glass was more of a PITA but my gaskets had sat for 2 years also.
Would I want to replace the windshield on a regular car or truck? NOPE.
If I was doing a total restoration on a classic would I? Maybe but if I had doubts I'd farm it out.
I've done a couple CJ windshield replacements and the TJ is honestly easier. No need for a rope or other tricks to get the glass into the gasket. So IMO if you want to try it then GO FOR IT.
As far as farming it out or doing it myself? If I'd been driving my Jeep & had insurance on it with window replacement I'd have paid someone to do it. But if you've been following my build I've done everything except for the machine work on the engine myself. My windshield frame was dismounted so I could lay it flat on saw horses to allow me to work on it easier.
Getting the inner gasket installed was easy and honestly went quicker than I expected. The gasket around the glass was more of a PITA but my gaskets had sat for 2 years also.
Would I want to replace the windshield on a regular car or truck? NOPE.
If I was doing a total restoration on a classic would I? Maybe but if I had doubts I'd farm it out.
I've done a couple CJ windshield replacements and the TJ is honestly easier. No need for a rope or other tricks to get the glass into the gasket. So IMO if you want to try it then GO FOR IT.
I've watched my TJs get two new windshields and thought holy crap I'll never attempt that job lol. @CDNTrooper did you have a helper to get it positioned properly? Your writeup was awesome.
If you've done them in the past, then go for it. Just make sure you get good quality glass, not the cheap Chinese glass that Safelite uses.
If you choose to have an installer come out and do it, shop around for pricing. Safelite was by far the highest quoting installer in my area. They quoted $430.00 for an install on my jeep.
If you choose to have an installer come out and do it, shop around for pricing. Safelite was by far the highest quoting installer in my area. They quoted $430.00 for an install on my jeep.
No I dI’d the install on my own, I positioned two suction cups so hold on to it and aligned the side that was closest to me and it went in. You only need two tubes of Urethane and I agree it was bleep to pump that stuff out. One windshield manual no problem but more and I would by an electric caulking gun!
This was actually one of the reasons for my original post...getting the lowdown on what specific glass and materials people are using. But as not many are doing this...
I fully realize this type of thing isn't for everyone. As well, the speed with which a glass pro can change it out with a warranty, I get it. Don't want it to seem like I'm giving guff to anyone.
These are quite handy. I laughed at these until I used one for the first time...and then promptly felt like a bit of a dickhead for doing so.
I've read enough of your posts here to suggest that you're more than capable, but I can't fault you for not. I likely wouldn't be considering it if I'd never done one before.
Actually, @Jerry Bransford remarks raised something I've wondered about, how many windshields has everyone gone through? And I'm not thinking as much about them getting smashed in the wilds, more so from use on the roads. I love the view but these things seem like they're just asking to get chipped and cracked.
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