Glass removal

[Tim 76' 280Z]

I want to remove the windshield, the glass in the hatch, and the small side windows as well when I get the car painted. How difficult is it to do this? Is it pretty easy to put them back in? I plan on buying a weather stripping and seal kit to replace all the old rubber.

[dimitri_zee]

If the old rubber seals have hardened, easiest way to remove the glass is with a stanley blade and cut the rubber seal from the outside. Cut right around and just push the glass out! Same with the rear glass. Side windows are just screwed in with small philips screws. Installing the windows is easy if you know the tricks. Some small rope placed in the seal where the metal lip sits helps; helps when you have an assistant though....

[beandip]

removing the glass is simple with razor knife as was posted. Be vary careful with the 1/4 windows , the frame is in two pieces screwed together. The attachments that hold them together if rusted can separate. then you will have 4 pieces and a problem. The window slides forward toward the door opening. To install the hatch glass and windshield use plenty of glass cleaner to help make the gasket slick. Install the metal strips into the gasket BEFORE installing the glass in the car. PM me if you want a step by step with the roping in the glass.

Gary

[Tim 76' 280Z]

removing the glass is simple with razor knife as was posted. Be vary careful with the 1/4 windows , the frame is in two pieces screwed together. The attachments that hold them together if rusted can separate. then you will have 4 pieces and a problem. The window slides forward toward the door opening. To install the hatch glass and windshield use plenty of glass cleaner to help make the gasket slick. Install the metal strips into the gasket BEFORE installing the glass in the car. PM me if you want a step by step with the roping in the glass.

Gary

Yes I would love a step by step on this process. I have never done it before.

[Travel'n Man]

They way you want to handle your glass is the only way to go. Get it all removed and then have the paint shop do their thing.

Once you remove the metal trim from around the front and back glass go over to your local big appliance store and get a large cardboard box, from a washer or refridge. Be very careful with the metal trim pieces that surround the front and back glass. Once removed I taped mine to the large pieces of the box for storage. These pieces will bend just by looking at them and this was the best way I could come up with for storage (mine was in the shop for 2 years).

Be careful re-installing the front window. Several members have broken going in and the front windows are expensive. I had a glass shop put my front in and yes they did break the first one. Thank goodness their insurance covered the broken glass and the second went in fine. The front glass is heavier than it looks, its best if you have somebody to help you get it removed. I wrapped mine in a blanket and stored it in the same position that the glass sits while it is installed. At the end I did end up puting in new glass in the front (my original glass was pitted, dinged, and damaged) and after all the body work and paint, I hated to put in a second rate front glass. Mine was $323.00 installed

There are little screws holdinging in the side windows (once you get your plastic interior trim removed) be sure not to lose them - I could not find anybody that had these screws and ended up using a replacement screw. Nobody can see them once the interior plastic trim goes back in.

The weather stripping kit from MSA does work well.

Good luck and keep us posted with pictures.

[Tim 76' 280Z]

I hope my windsheild dosent break! Its in perfect condition!