The quickest Windshield/back glass install

[CKfan]

Over the past week I had planned on installing my front and back glass but wasn't looking forward to it due to past experiences. Fighting the rubber, breaking a glass or two in transport to during installation etc. (maybe I'm just simple).

Already had the rubber, tools and know how, just needed "clear" glass for front and back. Not as easy to find as you would think in my area. Needed to be able to pick it up as shipping is outrageous and the chance of breakage is high. Found a couple locally (Big Chain Parts stores) but when I got there all were scratched or broken when examined.

So, decided to hire out the job and let them supply the glass and assume the risk. Easier said than done. Checked with many places, all said either "we don't do those" or "you will have to drop it off because it will take us hours to do."

Finally found Thousand Oaks Mobile Auto Glass. One day notice and two guys came Saturday. One of the guys strung the rubber for back window in about 1 minute, sprayed the bead with soapy water, cupped it with a handle and they both installed it "completely" in less than 3 minutes.

Repeated process for windshield and installed it in about 4 minutes. From arrival to departure ............. 20-25 minutes and only that long because I kept talking to them.

Unbelievable, having struggled with them in the past and having seen "professionals" struggle and even break them.

I have learned my lesson, I will never hunt down or install new glass again if these two guys are available.

[Getter-Done]

Great deal

There is a Glass and Mirror place in town that will install in older vehicles.

Those places are harder to find nowadays.

They are out there thou.

[72c20customcamper]

If you’ve done enough of them they aren’t that hard . But the learning curve can be expensive . I did both of mine in about 20 minutes with just my wife helping she had never had done it before

[RenoKeene]

Thank the truck gods you didn't have the chrome trim to deal with.
I worked for a glass company and I farmed it out. Took two trips and a U-Tube video to get it right. You can search this forum for endless stories on this.
Congrats!

[54blackhornet]

I would have asked if they mind me videoing the process.

[Steeveedee]

When I cleaned up the roof on my truck prior to installing the new camper shell, I had help from my youngest brother who worked in glass shops for a few years. Taking the old one out was a piece of cake- I carved the old gasket, as it was hard as rock.

[CKfan]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

If you’ve done enough of them they aren’t that hard . But the learning curve can be expensive . I did both of mine in about 20 minutes with just my wife helping she had never had done it before

You are lucky. My wife will pay anything and do anything not to work with me. Apparently, I am not much fun

[68 C10 Driver]

CKfan, that windshield looks great!

[Steeveedee]

^ Yes, it does! Though I prefer tinted glass, personally.

[Joyridin]

I had mine installed at a local shop. When I made the appointment, they told me a day or 2. Ok..whatever.

I dropped it off and it took me about 20 minutes to get home. When I pulled in the driveway, I got a call saying it was ready. We drove back. The installer, who was a bit older, said he had done hundreds of them over the years. He had it in in 10 minutes and it has chrome molding using a new gasket..

[PbFut]

If the pros can install in 10 minutes, what is the method that most are missing? It would be nice the know given I will likely be needing in the next year. Special lube? Starting point? Tool used in a way most don't think of? What's the trick?

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by PbFut

If the pros can install in 10 minutes, what is the method that most are missing? It would be nice the know given I will likely be needing in the next year. Special lube? Starting point? Tool used in a way most don't think of? What's the trick?

Lots of soapy water a smooth piece of rope and a few tools . I use plastic trim remover tools and one of these . The plastic glides smoothly on the rubber as does the ball tool . Prior to even starting I let the rubber relax unfolded in the sun on warm day and then put it around the window . I start from the bottom inside of the glass gentle swirling motions on the rope/string to pull the rubber over the lip . And lots of practice

[Steeveedee]

We used a rope and a plastic Bondo spreader. Took about 10 minutes. I wouldn't have tried it at all, except for knowing that my youngest brother had my back.

[jumpsoffrock]

Would you be willing to update your OP with the price for installation?

[CKfan]

Jumpsoff......Tried to send you pm, box is full

[CC69Rat]

KY on a Qtip and put it into the channel on the gasket where the pinch weld would go into the gasket.

Then KY on the inner lip of the cab where the gasket needs to 'seat' and allow you to pull the lip over the cab inside. (A.k.a Rope it in)

KY is water based so it will just dry up. Where something like Vaseline is petroleum based. KY won't drip all over your dash like soapy water, and you can control where you put it. I use the cheapo stuff from CVS.

The gaskets with chrome trim are tough to install no doubt but KY makes it 10x easier and won't allow the gasket to bind and cause the trim to pop loose in the corners. Get the early trim, it is easier to install. (Pre 71-72) with a matching gasket and you're all set.

Still not easy.. but seriously, KY helps a lot. Try it..

[1970cstblazer]

That's sound advice! LOL

I located the gasket install tool on Ebay for around $13..

[CC69Rat]

well.. it works.

[kwmech]

The only place I've seen my local guys have a struggle with is the top corners where the molding is square.

[jumpsoffrock]

Originally Posted by CKfan

Jumpsoff......Tried to send you pm, box is full

Yeah sorry bout that, I gotta get a membership again.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I didn't even try, I don't like experimenting on my truck in places, and the front and rear glass with stainless trim are certainly one of them. My problem was getting the trim restored, and finding a place that would install front and back, that's a skill very few installers have. First guy went to prison, second fell through. Worth noting that neither service will install glass with aftermarket trim, but mine are orig.

After perhaps two years in the making, two guys so professional and nice. They ordered the glass short the vents, and I dropped off the trim and rubbers with them so they could fit things first. Soon after they installed the front and back, beautifully. The service and glass was $1000ish. I tipped them another 40 or so, and like you felt such relief. That said, congrats.

That ball-end tool post 12 is a must have for almost all the rubber. Makes life so much easier. Brake pad was a pickle for instance. But only took a few seconds with that tool, and perhaps some lube.

[CKfan]

When it comes to certain jobs I try to stick with something the family business taught me:
Don't waste time running around here and there, hoping to find what you were looking for. Or find it, do the job yourself, save a few bucks when in the same amount of time you could have made double that just doing what you do best.

Right tool for the job and the right person.