Replacing the Windshield and Glass in Your Classic Car
Restoring a classic or vintage automobile is a fun and challenging project. Whether you are adding improvements or rebuilding from the ground up, replacing the glass can be an interesting adventure. Even if you are lucky enough to find pieces of window glass from the junkyard, you will want to make sure they are installed correctly and as close to as original as possible. The staff at Anthony Volk Glass can replace the glass in your classic car, making it look as good or better than it did before.
Safety Glass Isn’t A New Concept
Although the first version of safety glass was invented in 1927, it wasn’t used in all models until after 1932. The safety glass of today is the product of both advanced technology and innovative concepts that help protect the passengers of a vehicle during an accident. In order to maintain the highest level of safety, it’s important that safety glass is installed in all cars that require a new window. Using new versions of safety glass won’t detract from your classic car’s value in any way due to the fact that it was actually in use over 80 years ago.
Know What Kind of Glass Is in Your Car Now
Even though safety glass has been around for decades, some of the glass that was manufactured to replace original glass did not always meet automotive safety standards, especially if the owner of the vehicle did the work himself. If you are going to replace a piece of glass in your classic car, it’s important to know what type of glass is already in there. Look for the small emblem that denotes “safety glass”. This is usually found in the corner and is easily identifiable.
DIY or Professional Installation
If you have been restoring your classic car on your own and are considering installing the glass, there are a few things you should consider. It’s important to have the right type of equipment to both remove the old adhesive and properly repair the channels. If you’ve never worked with automotive glass before, you may want to reconsider doing it yourself and let a professional take over. Having a professional install your windshield and door glass can prevent breakage and ensures each piece is put in correctly.
Professional installation may carry a guarantee or warranty depending on the manufacturer. In most cases, if you do the job yourself you don’t get the benefits of the guarantee. A professional glass installer knows how to remove the old glass and prepare the area, so the new piece will fit snugly into place. They will also be able to set the glass and replace any trim or hardware that was removed.Removing the Old Glass
Removing the old glass can pose a hazard, especially if the existing piece is not traditional safety glass. If regular plate glass was used, there is a possibility that it could shatter as you are trying to remove it. There are times when you come across an old car body where all the glass is already gone. If that’s the case, you will need to make sure the channels and grooves are cleaned so that no dirt or debris remains that would prohibit the new window from sealing properly.
Once you get the glass out of position, it’s important that you put it somewhere safe. Auto glass needs to be disposed of properly and may not be allowed in certain dumpsites. If you have changed your windshield on your own, you will need to call your local recycling center or landfill to find out what they recommend when it comes to disposing of this particular type of glass.
Consider Custom-Made Windshields and Window Glass
Many glass companies can create a custom window for cars or vehicles that may have had structural modifications that prohibit the use of the original glass. You can also ask your glass professional to design a window or windshield that includes an etched design or special tint that may need to be applied prior to its installation.
When you are restoring a vehicle, you may also find that you need to have pieces cut to a specific size. This includes the small vent windows that are no longer found on newer cars. Most of these vent windows were triangular shaped, but a few had an odd shape to them. These small “wing” windows could be opened manually to let fresh air into the vehicle. Some of the older cars also had what were known as quarter windows. Although sometimes confused with a vent, the quarter window is actually the window within the pillar of the roof at the back. These windows were stationary and didn’t open.
Contact a Local Auto Glass Shop for an Estimate
The professional staff of Anthony Volk Glass has years of experience in dealing with a wide variety of auto glass needs in West Chester and surrounding areas. We can make repairs or install new windshields and windows as needed. We also understand the importance of meeting the exact specifications for your individual car. Whether you need a traditional window or a custom-made one to fit a modified body, we can provide you with exactly what you need and install it so that it looks as good or better than brand new.
Anthony Volk is a third generation, glass craftsman and looks forward to seeing his customers, especially those restoring vintage vehicles, pulling out of his shop with beautiful new windows. Call us at (610) 436-9727 to schedule an appointment or to get an estimate and find out what we can do to make your restoration efforts go smoothly!
Tags: auto glass, auto glass replacement, classic car auto glass, classic car glass repair, classic car glass replacement
