I just noticed a crack in the edge of the windshield of the Riv. When I bought he car it had a stone chip in it and I replaced it shortly after. When the shop did the work they glued it in with some sort of rubber caulk. That made the glass sit way to low in the frame and a huge gap between the stainless trim and glass. I was told due to new regs that they had to use that goo instead of the sealer ribbon the car came with. I dont want the new windshield to be installed with the goo. What are my options? which glass company will respect my wishes and my car to do what is in my opinion the right thing?
The shop that told you they have to use sealer only and no ribbon is WRONG. I suggest you find another shop that will do it CORRECTLY. Who that is in your area, I can't say for sure. New regulations, with goo, apply to new cars only, where the windshield is part of the structural integrity of the car.
Was introduced to a great glass guy that will redo my terrible job for me whenever I'm ready. He did tell me that he can use the 3M butyl ribbon sealer instead of the caulk if I wanted but, recommend that the caulk is a great product and nothing wrong with using it when you actually really know how to install automobile glass. Tony
I used the 3M ribbon and then sealed the entire perimeter with the urethane caulk. The safelite reps came by our shop last week and were talking about a high viscosity sealer to use. This might be an alternative.
This was my point exactly. I said pretty much the exact thing to the guy. (Also a friend) I talked to another glass guy that was at the body shop doing a job, he said pretty much the same thing except to say it was OK to use the tape only when doing a restored car to factory specs and my modified car would not qualify. I'l make a claim with my ins and see if they can recommend someone.
The rubber blocks were not installed on the bottom to help hold the windshield in place & to keep from dropping.
This is EXACTLY how any real glass guy would do the job. I would urethane a bead just leaving a bit of an edge of paint on the inside edge of the car. Next take a 3/8 ribbon seal just like the original and leave a 1/4 inch of glass showing as you place it entirely around the windshield perimeter with the seam coming together at the center of the bottom of the glass. This creates the best of both worlds. You get the 3/8 height in the channel and a new and improved sealing and bond. The ribbon makes a nice edge on the interior side,so urethane isn't squeezed out in a mess.
I had the windshield replaced in my 73 two years ago by a reputable glass company. I just tried to install the trim, but the windshield was installed too high. The installer just used urethane. I called the company and explained the situation. They sent another installer out to look at it and he agreed that it was too high. He brought another windshield with him in case he broke it removing it. He cut the old one out without breaking it. I asked him why the first installer didn't use a ribbon kit and he said that his company prefers to just use urethane because the windshield will stay in the vehicle in the event of a rollover. He stated that they were allowed to use a ribbon kit in vehicles that originally had them. He said that if I wanted a ribbon kit, he would be glad to use one. I asked him what he would do if this were his car and he said he would just use urethane. I had him just use urethane and he got the height perfect and it looks great from the inside also. I hope that I never have the chance to see if it stays in!
I had a guy from another company come out. Spoke with his boss, the owner, prior to making the appt. The guy said NP and his guy would do it without an issue. Installer gets to my place looks at the car and says NO. Goo only. His "Rep" told him the new regs prohibit using the tape. I said fine, just pull the old one, clean the channel and Id do the rest. Installer recalled the "rep". put him on the phone and I told the guy it was a show car. Trailed most places(i lied) and it saw limited miles. He gave the installer the go ahead. He did a really good job. I gave the guy a tip and he offered to come back and pull and reseal the back glass using the tape so the trim would fit correctly.
