Replacing the Windshield and Locking Strip Gasket on a Vintage Bus

[@douglasesposito5651]

That was a good point about the rubber seal being softer when the temperature outside was warmer. I may keep a hair dryer close by during the installation. It's also good to take your time and not rush it. I'll be thinking of you guys when I fix mine. Great video!

[@petelarrier1811]

This was invaluable to us DIYers. I’m going to attempt a similar repair as well.

[@gregorythomas333]

I love the way you guys work together so well to get it done :) Oh man...I almost cried when you said it cracked! Great job on getting everything in and looking so good! BTW: My stepdad is a glazier...he said if the original crack was small you could have drilled the end of it to keep it from running so you could keep that glass in.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Gregory! The crack was really just a sound at first (like a very small bone breaking) but next thing you know it ran clear down the front! We almost cried as well! I am glad it was my fault and not Michelle's but we learned a small lesson about being patient and not rushing. Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement.

[@vixwolf2037]

Hey I just want to thank you immensely for this video my husband and I bought a hurricaine, with the glass already broken (we didnt know how expensive it is) and this is the only way to be able that we will finally be able to do the repair. So just thank you so much for making this video because this will be the biggest help to us to do the job without breaking the bank.

[@davidachten1162]

Excellent job, thanks for sharing.

[@gbthecamper458]

Great job folks. Sometimes the cost of learning new things outweighs the financial cost (but it still hurts). I am very impressed with the quality of the job the whole family has accomplished thus far. Looking forward to the inside construction.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you GB - I 100% agree - learning new things has a huge value to us. If you would have asked us a year ago we would have said "no way - we'll leave that to a professional" - but this bus has showed us that we can do much more than we think we can. Thank you for joining us!

[@vixwolf2037]

Just a HEADS UP for anyone looking to do this now. 3m made their BEDDING AND GLAZING compound UNAVAILABLE for the average consumer to purchase so if you are lucky you can buy it in a store IF NOT CRL 7708 is the closest compound that us regular people can purchase for this use

[@TOTALLYRELAXED]

I'm sure it's a very good feeling knowing now the windshield won't be blasting towards your face, in the event of hitting a pothole, while driving down the highway! Kudos to y'all for a job well done! I swear, Juan, you must have the determination the size of a building! (I didn't wanna say testicles as this is a family channel...Oops!). Great video as always...keep 'em coming! ( 5/10/2019 Friday 8:45amCST ~Jim in Houston, Texas~ )

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Jim! We were pretty disappointed when we broke the first piece of glass but we figured it out in the end :). We are VERY excited to move to the inside of the bus!

[@mitchmills8967]

Me and my buddy who’s a glass guy put a passenger side glass in our trek and it took like 2 1/2 or 3 hours. You guys are rockstars

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL thank you Mitch - we are stumbling along as best as we can :)

[@rvglasssolutions-thervglas5840]

Wow. GREAT job, guys! Pretty sure you can do ANYthing if that was your first install. Enjoyed your videos and here's to many more happy trails!

[@klazyy641]

You two are an awesome team! Great video. thanks!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you KlazyY - thank you for joining us!

[@jamestepesh355]

Awsome job refiting your windsheild looks way better :)

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you James!

[@jockflynn54]

great job, like how you take it all in your stride and keep smiling, at least for us

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you John - we were pretty disappointed when the first piece broke - but we got it figured out :)

[@marshallbaldwin395]

Camper van Kevin just had one half of his windshield replaced on his class a was between 1800 and 2000 dollars that big curved glass is as you know hard to handle and it takes two people and some time the shop would not have been much faster than you were you did a good job Both of you have a good day THE GRUMPY BUS

[@Whutup549]

Your scaffolding and umbrella set up is awesome. You should do a vid showing those

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

The scaffolding was originally for the solar install - It seemed like a great project for our son - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5bChJKpopWba8k

[@TheKandyGuy]

Wow... you guys are rocking.... braking things is okay... things brakes.. important things is you guys are safe.. so it is a winner... and save some money too..good team work again.. good job husband and wife team..!!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Anura!

[@minutemark]

Juan, you and your entire family continually amaze me--in that you've all, in relatively short order, become experts in so many new areas. You all make everything look like it's second nature to you. I know a lot of research goes into everything that you do--and all that homework is paying off. Great job! As to the broken windshield, here's a quote from Rex Dangervest, from Lego Movie 2: "Listen, kid, you can build anything, but there ain't nothing you can't break." Okay, I'm not exactly sure how that applies to this situation. I guess I just really wanted to quote Rex Dangervest. That bus looks brand new now--on the outside, anyway. I'm looking forward to the interior build!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL - Love it Mark! Our family is a huge fan of the Lego movies! Our youngest is even named Emmett ;). Thank you so much for the kind words - we are EXTREMELY excited to be "heading inside!"

[@PentaxLife]

WTG !!! Ok NOW you need the air horn from the movie RV Gornicke's RV plays the theme song to Star Trek.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL Thank you Jeff - would you believe we only saw that movie about a year ago! We do have an air horn but not one that plays Star Trek - that would be AMAZING

[@robertdonnelly434]

You two work INCREDIBLY WELL together. Had my wife and I tried something as stress-filled, search parties would NEVER find (the pieces of) my very dead body... CHEERS from here, in Ontario, Canada, hard by Georgian Bay...

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL - Thank you Robert - this post had me laughing so hard!! Michelle and I have been together since we were 15 years old - if one was going to kill the other we would have done it by now :)... Honestly this project has been really great for our marriage and our family. There are so many guys I follow who are doing builds basically doing it by themselves - I am so lucky to have a great helper. We do argue, of course, like anybody else but we are quick to apologize, make-up, and regroup.

[@SpiritHill]

Good job - even with the re-do it looks like you guys had a successful project. Remember, on our buses failure doesn't exist if you count it as a training exercise.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Richard - we continue to learn with every project.

[@sleim754]

I think that it is great that you attempt this stuff. I think that most people would just not try and then lose out on the great feeling of accomplishment.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you McKay - If you would have asked us a year ago I think we might have been in the same boat! But, if this project has taught us anything it is that we can figure it out. Luke gave us a pretty good push too (he is 74 and his brother is 78) - they put these in all the time.

[@MrOtie]

Scaffolding was a great idea. Nice job.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you MrOtie

[@mrmudstud5980]

Excellent work...............Thumbs Up................

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you MrMudStud

[@SkyroofNova72]

Great skill to learn for all the road chips you'll get on your adventures. Well done!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

For sure!

[@briandavis9975]

Alright cowboy looking good I feel your pain been there but all your efforts are paying off.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL - Thank you Brian

[@jamesdarling4967]

Hi Juan...Great job...I've also got half of mine to do in the 4104 and watching you guys has give me the confidence to try myself...thanks

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Awesome James! Just take your time and work it and and you will be fine.

[@markajohnson4583]

You guys are the best! A great inspiration for potential DIY 'rs with the fear of the unknown. The bus looks great!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Mark! It has been a joy for our family to work on it and to share what we are learning

[@olemissjim]

That’s pretty impressive, you guys just dig in and figure things out.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Jim - this bus has really taught us that we are capable of more than we realize. It has been a joy for our family to work on. We can't wait to live in it!

[@Superduty_59]

Awesome work guys! A little setback but you guys got it and it looks great!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thanks j jones - it doesn't always go perfect :)

[@kirkpeters7825]

You guys are amazing. Willing to tackle the difficult tasks. Your skills are amazing. Looking forward to your next step in your journey.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Kirk - we are so excited to move inside!

[@DannybFlat01]

Love your videos! You should have way more subscribers!!

[@Panzergrennie]

They really should. Their level of sophistication is unmatched.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you guys - I think we are not terribly good at SEO and some of the other youtube things, but we are getting there little by little. It's also getting a little easier to be in front of the camera and "know" what to film to make it at least somewhat interesting. Thank you guys for following along - all this stuff even more fun with a community :)

[@normanboyes4983]

You two make a great team and are to be congratulated on tackling this windscreen(s) replacement and achieving it. By the way that was not a crack - it was the classic ‘apprentice mark’ and it was a necessary event to enable you to gain the experience of fitting three windscreens.😂 Great stuff and the bus is looking fantastic.👍

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL thank you Norman

[@fuzzyguy210]

I used to do auto and bus glass for a living. I used a cotter pin removal tool to work the rubber up and over the glass. Also I used lots of window cleaner to keep things lubed. I guess the plastic stick is better for novices. We also put butyl sealant in the channel that goes on the body and between the glass and rubber before putting in the locking strip. This was for insurance against any leaks.

[@macelius]

Thanks for the timely videos, gonna have to do all the window rubber on my 4106 this summer.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Awesome!

[@macelius]

Now, if only I could find the right profile for the rear window. P.S. How is that new rubber you got from Luke lasting in the AZ sun? Asking because the bay hinge rubber didn't even last a season up here in Havasu..

[@125sm3]

Great video , new subscriber from across the pond in England.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Awesome! Welcome to the channel

[@devinrogers7962]

Luke is awesome , great job guys ! 😉

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Luke is an amazing person - most of the stuff he has you really can't find anywhere else and he is always really fair and honest. If you own a vintage bus you should really know Luke and U.S. Coach

[@brianlowe7448]

Great job as always!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Brian - and congrats on getting the battery system working!

[@dclark3344]

Can you share the place where you got the glass from Luke in New Jersey Thanks for the video

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Absolutely - Luke @ US Coach (888)2622434

[@oogie-boogie]

wow,,,good job,,keep up the good work

[@leebiggs2844]

So does this mean the exterior is done and we'll be seeing interior builds now? Looking forward to it!

[@Panzergrennie]

Yes, that's gonna be super exciting. I'm also very excited to see a video of the bus towing the durango.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

YES!! We are so excited to move the operation inside!

[@NoGasWelcomeAboard]

Another awesome job! At Q this year they were charging $1,000/side and it took the experts about two hours total. They made it look easy (wish I’d videoed them!). Not bad money since the glass isn’t all that expensive. They used a couple taller portable scaffolding/work platforms (available from HD) plus their taller ladders. No cracks but lots of chips in mine. So is J&M Bus Glass now taking appointments? 😉

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL - Thank you Van! It's funny the replacement glass came out and went back in, in less than an hour! We always joke that JUST as we get good at something it is time to go learn something new! $1,000 per side - that's pretty good money ;). We are not taking appointments right now per se - but we would be happy to help you out of course ;).

[@Fanzindel]

You guys are saints. Thought my cracked windshield was gonna be a huge deal but now I just have to get the glass (separate ordeal) and I could pop it in so easily. Who knew ˇ\_(ツ)_/ˇ One thing that gave me a little anxiety was seeing you hammering out the old seal right next to the new paint. Adding a thick layer of tape around the seal would help protect this beautiful fresh paint (more of a note to self and everyone who is thinking about doing this). Thanks for sharing!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

I'm glad to hear that the information was helpful! It's understandable to feel worried, especially after receiving an expensive quote like $1850! The suggestion of using tape is a fantastic idea. If you're interested, I have a blog entry where I share how you can purchase coach glass and find the exact tools we used to successfully complete the job. www.beginningfromthismorning.com/windshield Good luck!

[@DavincisMind]

You guys always motivate me to work on my bus. Excellent video as all your vids. Any chance you could share Luke's contact or website ? I'm having hard time to get hang of how to reach him for any parts. Everybody is talking about Luke but no reliable info how to reach him. Thank you for all effort you put in your videos.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you so much! Luke is a great resource and he can be found at 1-888-262-2434. Keep in mind that he is on the east coast (New Jersey).

[@haroldwolk4508]

Hi Folks, Very nice video. Do you remember who you got the rubber gasket from? I'm restoring a 1967 Plymouth Valiant and the unique 'locking strip' style windshield and rear window gasket are not seemingly available. Any leads on folks who do custom gaskets would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

We got ours from Luke at US Coach in New Jersey. I am pretty sure that he worked with a company that had the gaskets remanufactured for these windshields with the center strip. However, we have also found regular locking strip gasket on Amazon. amzn.to/3oJFeF9. Maybe that will be helpful.

[@haroldwolk4508]

@@BeginningfromthisMorning Thank you very much, that might be helpful. I'm also pondering if I can 'reuse' the originals. It's an adventure! Thanks again.

[@JerrysThisandThat]

Job well done. My car needs a new windshield so if you both want to come visit me in Canada I will let you replace my cars windshield Lol

[@billyboyblue17]

Well, when you pulled the old glass, it sure was anticlimatic! You and your lovely bride make a whale of a glass install team. Beats spending $1800!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you billyboyblue17 - now we know how to do it :)

[@er1073]

I am so glad that when you sat on the top of the ladder the windshield didn't just pop out that would have been bad for you. Great job again to you two. Are you going to tint the upper portion for sun screen? Ed

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Ed - I am glad also! We are looking at options for tinting the glass on all the windows (learning about ceramic, metallic film, carbon film, 2-ply film etc) - In the front, we really want roll shades so we might not do tinting on the upper portion (honestly we are still just researching our options). But for now ... we are moving to the inside!

[@FirstSuiGeneris]

*_Sweet!_*

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Sapper

[@dontrainer7899]

Where did you buy the windshield from. I’m going to try to replace mine also. They’re just like yours

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

I got it from Luke Bonagura - [phone]

[@geronimochamp9782]

I love this video, Is there any chance to get a link to where you got the gasket from? I need to do the same for my RV?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thanks Robert - we got the gasket from Luke at US Coach (he is very well known in the vintage bus community). 888-262-2434

[@karlbartelt3939]

Wow, its great that you guys took on this job, maybe the quote of $1850 was because they know these cracks happen often and they build it into the price :( Every failure is a gift of learning :) Listen to 19:25-20:00 with your eyes closed :P

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

LOL - maybe I should put an age restriction on this one!

[@aaronburchael2512]

well done guys :) I see the new glass has no suvisor !!! wil you miss that ?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Aaron - The short answer is "yes". That old tint that was the visor before was TERRIBLE - it was purple and even had wrinkles in it but it did block out the sun when it was low in the sky. We will probably do roll down shades in the front that will be able to roll partially down to provide a similar "shading".

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

Great job, I wouldn't have even attempted to install the glass and if I did I would have broke 3 or 4 before I gave up and paid someone to do it. Did you have any idea how much work and money you would have to put into this bus when you bought it?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Dirt Road Sailing - when we started we thought we were going to do a quick "facelift" on the interior - oh boy were we ever wrong. I guess the silver lining in all this is that when something breaks when we are living in it - we will know exactly how to fix it (or at least have a very good idea). Honestly, it has really been great for our family and our marriage - it is a TON of work and filming actually makes it go slower but we are having a lot of fun learning and doing. Thanks for joining us!

[@edgardiaz627]

What’s the information for the glass? Where you bought it and everything?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

We got it all from Luke at US Coach in New Jersey.

[@jaymondy]

Great job! So where did you use the adhesive/sealant?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

We have not put it on yet but it will go under the lip of the rubber between it and the body. Ideally we would have put it on before we installed the rubber

[@richmyer9111]

@@BeginningfromthisMorning You do not need the adhesive, it will just make it more difficult to change glass in the future. I have changed many bus windshields.

[@strayhound61]

Aaawwwww geeee. Too bad about the crack. Like they say, stuff happens. I always look at those things this way; all the money I spend on "lessons I learned the hard way" is A LOT CHEAPER than having someone else do it, and you can't beat the satisfaction of doing it yourself. When I replaced my windshields the first time, the very first trip out they each got rock chips in the lower outer corners...THE FIRST TRIP! And the new destination sign glass I also just installed got shattered...not a good glass trip, to say the least. Buy a couple of extras! It will save you on shipping in the long run. They get a lot of rock chips. Good Job!

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you John - 100% agree - now I know how to do it :). LOL - oh man, Rock chip on the first trip out! I bet that same thing is going to happen to us! I am sorry I did not get a chance to call earlier this week - but I do want to talk to you about what to do behind the side windows - we are researching tints etc right now. Are you going to be available this weekend?

[@strayhound61]

Sorry, no. Out camping in the bus with 4 grand kids including a 6 month old. Back Tuesday. I just went to the local auto parts place and got the darkest tint film they had which was Limo Tint I think. Easy to apply with soapy water and then just squeegee out the bubbles. Call next week whenever you can.

[@hellyafghopups]

how did you remove the old sealant under the seal that goes around the window.. what product did you use??

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

With this type of gasket, there is no sealant used under the rubber. If any sealant is necessary, it is applied to the outside after the gasket is installed. We did recently have to seal a small area above the gasket. This is the product to use. amzn.to/3A8KBpi

[@stevebell4335]

Hi there , where did you buy the front windshield gasket thank you

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Hi Steve - we got both the windshields and the gasket from Luke at US Coach in New Jersey. He’s the go-to guy for parts for these busses. 888-262-2434 is his number.

[@RayTroppmann]

What was the company where the windshields and locking strip gasket were purchased

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Hi Ray we got them from Luke at US Coach in New Jersey you can reach him at [phone]

[@coreyfarris-c5d]

What company does Luke work for, to order the supplies?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

You can find Luke at US Coach in New Jersey - his phone number is: 888-262-2434

[@dj2574]

I am hiding my eyes that ur soo close to the new paint with that screwdriver 😳😳😳

[@Mikesroadtrip-ec5kp]

I have to send you the picture of the guy from Whitewater Gold Rush.

[@markphillips6154]

Did you need to replace the glass?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

The glass was in pretty sad shape. It was sun damaged and had a "haze" all round the glass. The worst part was the poor gasket. It needed to be replaced about 15 years ago and literally had holes in where the wind would whistle through.

[@akdisney]

I know is done some auto tv show use string in the window channel and put the sting and help lap rubber on top of the glass.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you akdisney - We saw those videos as well but since the window is curved at the edges so much it didn't work very well on our bus. The video where he does it on the back of the truck window is borderline magic!

[@Panzergrennie]

Did you have to pay another 350 bucks for the shipping of the second half-windshield?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Panzergrennie - We actually just ordered another 2 Windshields since shipping was going to be about the same whether he sent one or two. Shipping on the second time was only $300 ... but it still hurt ;). On the bright side we now have an extra piece of glass if we encounter some rocks along our way :)

[@stevenbrowningsr1144]

I can't believe that you didn't mask off the painted area around the window to keep from scratching your Mexican paint. With the hammering on the screwdriver and awl it would have been a shame to get a big scrape in the nice paint. Pretty simple to mask it off with a little cardboard and paper.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Steve - masking off the painted area would have been a safer bet for sure.

[@thomashayes8961]

Can you give me the info on that tool for the lock-in bead

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Of course - we bought it from Amazon for about $15! Here is the exact one we ordered: amzn.to/2WAj0tk

[@thelandrys00]

What was wrong with the original glass. You said the gasket was crumbling, but I was wondering why you had to replace the glass.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you Clint - the original glass had quite a few chips and cracks as well as it started to have some pretty severe "fogging" around the edges. As this laminated glass ages it starts to get foggy in the layer between the glass. I should have shown this before we threw it away.

[@swaterman08]

It's not easier to use something to lube up the rubber better than Windex?

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Stephen Waterman actually it was just watered down Dawn dishsoap in the spray bottle. It helped the locking strip to slide in a little better.

[@vxnova1]

You guys are going to end up with a new bus when you are done

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you vxnova1 she is coming along - we are so excited to move inside!

[@pitbull2743]

The bottom line is both of you will know every square inch of your home and it's inner workings. That's something very few people can say.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Thank you pit bull - that is one of our goals - when something breaks - we should know how to fix it :)

[@arawackwarrior2554]

Great job can you send me Luke # i need some materials for my bus

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Luke at US Coach: 888-262-2434

[@ThrottleStopRacing]

Not a project for the faint of heart.

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

A year ago we wouldn't have even attempted it

[@ThrottleStopRacing]

@@BeginningfromthisMorning Think what your first project was, I would never attempt that.

[@rsbolin]

Please wear gloves and a mask.

[@arawackwarrior2554]

Can you send me Luke telephone number i need a front windshield

[@BeginningfromthisMorning]

Of course - Luke 1-888-262-2434. One of the most helpful people you will find in the bus community. Tell him Juan from Gilbert says hello!