How to Replace the Front and Rear Windshields

This video will show you how to remove and replace the front and rear windshield using three simple tools; a putty knife, a single edge razor blade cutter and a pick tool. It will show you how to cut the caulking that holds the window to the car.
This video will show how to lift out the windshields, how to caulk the windshields, and how to install the windshields.
The car used in this video was a 1970 Chevy Chevelle.

[@mobilefloors]

Thanks for the video, ive taken my 70 nova glass out and im fixing rust now but you gave me the courage to do it! Thanks again !

[@davidlis6709]

Fantastic. You are better than you think you are. Go for the gold. Like my dad said "stop being afraid, what is the worst thing that can happen" he was right.

[@allysonrincon4007]

clarify many doubts. I will proceed to install the rear windshield to my 1974 Dodge Coronet. best regards

[@terrellboston9631]

What can i use to remove the shattered glass and glue out my back windshield to replace it

[@BackyardFamilyBuilds]

Great video

[@davidlis6709]

Thanks - It is not as hard as it looks. The worst thing is getting that black sealer on yourself.

[@67cudaksa34]

thanks Dave, now i do not have to pat a service to remove and replace my glass on the 75 nova

[@davidlis6709]

It is not hard, just be careful and take your time so you do not crack the window.

[@andrewasbill3690]

Do you need any sort of shim other than for having a even space around the window?

[@davidlis6709]

You can make up with the gap the sealer.

[@RabidSnot]

Butyl Tape is the Original way they put these windows in way back in 60's 70's.. now they use Urethane.. Not Silicone and sometimes still use Butyl tape.

[@brandond6596]

Hey David, I was wondering what your body guy did to address the rust hole near the bottom right part of your rear windshield? Thanks, Brandon

[@davidlis6709]

It was a big hole. Some people weld in new metal. I took a grinder to it and removed all the rust and made the corner with fiberglass. You can buy a small kit at your local auto parts store. I decided to use fiberglass because it does not rust and easier to do than welding in a new section. Use gloves because the resin is hard to get off your hands. Plus it is easy to grind off the access to get the shape you want.

[@johnholden4577]

I wish you did a video on how you did it I have a 64 Chevelle andmy back window is loose and I'm terrified on taking the glass out

[@davidlis6709]

Go real slow and don't put any pressure on the glass. Most people have it done at a body shop and they weld in new metal. I went to the local auto parts store and bought a fiberglass fit. It is not that hard and the excess material you don't want, you grind off. I used a dremmel tool with a grinding tip. Watch some of these fiberglass repair videos like on corvettes. The other thing is that if you put in metal it is only going rust again because all the water collects in the same spot. Notice in 13:33 that the lower left side corner was a little to much material but it was to late and I installed it anyway. No issue - just a little tight. i did make a video but these body guys will crucify me with comments.

[@albahroe12]

David Lis I need the video David I’m on the fence of tackling the job myself or taking it somewhere to get it done. doing my 69 Pontiac Le Mans

[@wmpopper]

No safety glasses or gloves for the young woman capable assistant?

[@davidlis6709]

She is my niece. She is tough, not a light weight like me, glasses and gloves are for men.

[@Supanova70]

Hi, On my 1970 nova all the channels are new bare metal. Should I leave it bare before painting the whole car for you to prime or you want the car painted 1st then you sand and prime/install? Thanks john

[@davidlis6709]

If it was my car, I would prime it to stop any rust. There are 2 schools of thought. I noticed that most body shops paint the car without the windows. This gives great paint coverage on the channels but the over spray is all over the inside that has to be cleaned. Me, knowing nothing, install the windows so the inside is not a mess. I tape and paper all the windows and everything that I do not want painted.

[@ralphinator2]

You mean how to do it without BUYING NEW WEATHERSTRIP like any competent mechanic would do.

[@TippyTop420]

....good point.... Its just window tar isnt it? I know it essential but any suggestions.

[@davidlis6709]

@@TippyTop420 I buy it at O Reilly Auto Parts

[@jeffreyrigged]

you dont use weather strip on windshields or rear windows in a chevelle as for many other cars this age. originally they had some butyl tape holding them but it wears out and leaks. reason you see so many 60-70s cars with rusted and leaking window channels. also it can fly it out in a wreck. urethane is the proper way now just as he did in the video.

[@jonnysrods]

First, you tape across the joint and cut the tape, no crayon needed. When you cut the tip off of the "Caulk" lol, you cut it with a 5/8" "V" so that you lay a tall V shape of sealant bead, point up.

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

A "v" is a damn good idea.

[@DeltaForceSFODD]

Would have been a good idea to install a dam to ensure no sealant will move up the glass. It would create a cleaner install when looking at it up close.

[@davidlis6709]

I used to much sealer.

[@ralphinator2]

Would have been an even better idea to buy a replacement window seal instead of messing about with black caulk.

[@JohnSmith-bx1mp]

Silicone? Really? They make affordable products for this.

[@rattdrummer1]

I used a d guitar string and it worked fantastically

[@davidlis6709]

I used to use piano wire but could not find any.

[@erikpeterson3691]

Ya or. 80 test fishing line

[@dronestarship9646]

Also, I went to Professional paint store where body shop people go and get their input of materials to use. They inform me definitely not to use Silicone as will not last as long as materials they have. I also got premoulded round stuff they have for installing windshields, as I saw a Prof. Windshield use once. But now they just to the cheap caulking gun stuff that gets everywhere, and is faster for them... In and out, and get your money.

[@ralphinator2]

Don't screw around with this nonsense. Just order a correct weatherstrip replacement from any good auto parts or restoration store.

[@allysonrincon4007]

Good video friends. Best regards of venezuela..

[@davidlis6709]

Hope it helps you

[@mistyrouse5677]

Phenom ark

[@dronestarship9646]

Wow... Same car I am going to be working on... Even thought it looks like a 1st Generation Monte Carlo, the Chevelle is same exact on both front and back glass... I had same issue on my '72 Monte, but I molded some aluminum with bondo glass to create new area, and treated all raw metal, after wire wheel buffing, with POR 15, so no rust comes back.

[@davidlis6709]

I used a fiber glass kit to create the bottom corners. I lost the video data files of showing that procedure.

[@andrewwhaley2909]

Nice video, Thank you. Im doing the same for my 68 Buick. What about the clips for the trim on the rear glass? Mine have rusted on the bottom and will need to be replaced. They appear to been installed under the glass and original seal. Any ideas on this?? Thanks again.

[@davidlis6709]

Once you scrape away all the old sealant you will see that they are not under the glass. They are about 1/4 inch away. Don't put rusted one back on, new one are cheap. The clips go on after the window is installed.

[@countrylivingguy5172]

Great video.Im getting ready to do this on my 69 impala.Does it matter if I put urethane on the windshield or can I put in the channel?Thank you.

[@davidlis6709]

I put it on the windshield but you can put it in the channel. Everyone does it different. No right or wrong. What every you feel comfortable with.

[@6eostorm]

This dudes needs some male friends to help him work on his car instead of using his wife and daughter 😂😂😂

[@davidlis6709]

I use whoever is around at the time.

[@htownborn6587]

I'm a professional glass guy and this video is funny.. More like what not to do lol...... Use urathane not silicone and second don't be a cheap ass how the right guy for the job has the right tools and equipment and u know it's not gonna leak and mess up new paint and everything... They didn't even have suction cups... Lol

[@diyjohn9584]

Had a professional company that replaced my front windshield 2 years ago. Got them to re-do it 2 more times to finally get the top to stop protruding from the frame.

[@htownborn6587]

@@diyjohn9584 u should got ur money back went somewhere else

[@designsinorbit]

Don't need a pro to install a windshield.

[@debbie6125]

My car's roof needed to be repainted so they removed the back glass and later reinstalled it. The glass looks leveled however I'm experiencing a different issue. When I'm driving and I look in my rearview mirror the back glass looks like it's bouncing. Could this be an issue issue or is common?

[@davidlis6709]

Yes - it can crack. They need to reinstall it. Does it leak?

[@debbie6125]

@@davidlis6709 Thanks for replying it was actually my front windshield. The outside rubber trim was overlaying at least 1/8 inch on one side and skunked in on the other side. They told me the trim is fine that it is only for appearance. I was not pleased so when they went to reinstall the windshield and trim and they cracked it. I got a new windshield and the bouncing issue is corrected. Thanks again :)

[@davidlis6709]

@@debbie6125 That is why when things are gong right for me, I stop working on it. Like my dad use to say "There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but there is always enough time to do it again"

[@cheyannemeade2566]

What kind of caulking??

[@davidlis6709]

Black automotive silicone from your local auto parts store.

[@ilovemyevo556]

ok i'll just pay someone lol good job though

[@davidlis6709]

They have mobile windshield services that come to your house and do it.

[@TudoracheIonel]

What did you use? Silicone for exterior or mastic auto? Does it have a good plug, it sticks? Thank you !

[@davidlis6709]

I used this black sealer because that is what my local auto parts store sold but 35 years ago I use clear silicone. The main thing is to get a good seal so water will not leak in. There are a lot of different sealers that will work.

[@ralphinator2]

@@davidlis6709 Why didn't you just buy a new weather strip? Not like Novas are hard to find parts for.

[@davidlis6709]

@@ralphinator2 I don't think they sell a seal. I have done many of these over the years. This is how I was taught to do this years ago by my friends that own body shops.

[@jeffreyrigged]

@@ralphinator2 thats a chevelle but there arent sealed by weather seal. butyl tape was used for years however its old tech and urethane is proper way. op did it right. well idk if he used the proper urethane but still.

[@OffendingTheOffendable]

Windshield in front backglass in rear

[@davidlis6709]

Learn something everyday.

[@armandoalejandro7209]

Do heat guns work

[@davidlis6709]

Why use one. Let is dry overnight.

[@jmiller5032]

If you bring the caulking gun up about 1 foot above the glass and drop the urethane onto the glass, you can get a bead that looks like licorice (much cleaner)

[@davidlis6709]

You would have to have a real steady hand to do that. What a mess it would make if it started to go off the windshield.

[@jmiller5032]

You can do it with a dense urethane like 3M. You have to touch the glass when you start but once the bead is going you can bring it up away from the glass. One foot might be a little high, maybe 8-12 is a little more accurate. A pair of glass suction cups would make your life easier too. I guess it all depends on how many jobs you're doing!

[@davidlis6709]

I really don't do that many. I used to rebuild totally wrecked cars in the evening with my dad 40 years ago. We always had to replace the front windshield because front end crashes were easier for us to fix. It kept everyone in the family driving cars that were 2 and 3 years old for 1/3 the cost. Lot of work but huge rewards.

[@jmiller5032]

I used to do 5 or 6 jobs per day. Now I do custom glass on really old cars(All flat glass) but once in a while, I do something from this century.

[@davidlis6709]

I have been eying this 1970 to maybe 1978 GMC pickup but it has cracked front windshield. Is is possible to buy one and what do you think would be a guess on how much it how cost?

[@jamessouthworth1699]

I never saw a car with a rear windshield

[@davidlis6709]

What do you call the back window?

[@jamessouthworth1699]

@@davidlis6709 You just said it. Back window.

[@michaelmack5494]

Nice video bro

[@davidlis6709]

Thank you

[@jonnysrods]

Also... get a couple cheep suction cup handles… you did not use enough sealant because you did not cut the application tip correctly. better luck next time.

[@davidlis6709]

I don't install enough windshields to buy suction cup handles. I put enough sealer on because it does not leak. You do it all the time so you know the best way.

[@jeffreyrigged]

@@davidlis6709 you can get those cups pretty cheap of ebay or amazon fyi.

[@davidlis6709]

@@jeffreyrigged Thanks for the information.

[@bobgreen3116]

Great video! Thanks for posting. I have a 67 Nova that I need to do this on. Any tips or video on how to remove the window trim from around both front and rear glass?

[@davidlis6709]

There is a special tool that is used to reach under the chrome and disconnect the clips. I lost the videos that show how I did it. I used a simple pick tool that has a hook on the end to do the same thing.

[@keithmark1741]

how long does it take to dry

[@davidlis6709]

About 1 hour and you can drive away but it takes 24 hours to fully cure.

[@keithmark1741]

David Lis thank you I really appreciate it bout to go and do my 94 Camry