how to replace a windshield

[daveid]

Hi,
I was wondering how hard it is to replace a windshield. I dont have a lot of money so i want to try and replace it myself. There is a junkyard near that has about 50 cars like mine with good windshields so I want to make sure i take mine off successfully first before i go and detroy theirs and have to pay for it. Its a 86 honda accord but i assume all cars would have the same guidlines for windshields. Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

thanx
david

[Greenblurr93]

well... in text it will look real simple.. simply cut the urethane holding the glass, clean off any left over urethane from glass and pinchweld area of the car its getting installed on and re-glue the glass in with new urethane. Tape the corners with something like masking tape and let sit for 24 hours while the urethane sets and cures.

In reality, youll probably going to break a few windshilds first and it will take at least 2 people to get it out and in... use piano wire to cut the urethane its cheapest and easiest.

[thefooshmeister]

yeah +2 on the piano wire or maybe an old guitar string?? take yours out for practice but go to the junkyard and practice on theirs too..not gonna cost you a thing if one of theirs gets broken..a lot of ppl tie the wire to an old seatbelt for something to grip and rip..kind of like a two person saw youd see a lumberjack use..

[Greenblurr93]

i always use 2 wooden dowels to hold the wire... and if you use guitar string.. make sure its the thicker ones that arent smooth, but rather wound wire

[CivicSpoon]

Don't go cheap, get it professionally installed. It's your freaking windshield, and there's reasons why there are professionals who handle this job. The most minor thing that could go wrong, from a self installation, is a water leak from not sealing it properly all the way around. The worst case scenario is the windshield letting lose on the highway, or you getting into an accident and the windshield doesn't protect you like it should. There's nothing wrong with getting the used one from the junkyard, and removing the old one from your car, but at least let someone else install it.

[Greenblurr93]

did you know the urethanes made for windsheild install dont fully cre for about 3 months? so that means if youre in an accident within 3 months of getting it installed, it still wont protect you like it should, pro installed or not.

[indigo montoya]

I inquired at a junk yard once--and the guy told me that if i could get it out w/o breaking it, i could have it at NO CHARGE! He was right, and i could not get it out whole. I still want to try again tho...it was really hot when i tried--i think a calm day (65-70 degrees) would help.