How to make the job easier - tips & tricks

[I_Hate_Butyl_Tape]

Hello all.

This thread is intended to make the replacement process easier for any windshield.

Post any info you may have, or that trick you figured out to make the installation process for any auto glass part easier for the rest of us.

Please include NAGS part# and an example of what it fits.

To start with (and for example) I'd like to offer this:

On DW1168, Blazer/Jimmy/S10/S15... It is not necessary to remove the cowl or wipers to replace the windshield.

Stand the wipers up.
Put tape on the top of the fenders.
Pop the clip on the cowl end parts.
Flex the cowl ends onto the top of the fenders.
Cut out the glass. And replace as usual.
You will have to stab the windshild under centre cowl part. Be sure not to set the glass above the urethane (toward the dash) as it will push it out of the way rather than adhere it to the bottom of the w/s.

I have had successful installs using this method for a long time, even by myself, and by not removing/installing the cowl, substantial time and effort can be saved.

[Delta Kits]

I don't have much to add, since I don't replace, but, welcome to the forum I_Hate_Butyl_Tape!

[sydfloyd44]

Sorry, I do not believe that the 2 minutes lost while taking the cowl off is worth it. One 1168 I put in last week had this done and the bottom of the windshield was NOT ATTACHED to the vehicle! As with MOST jobs where the cowl is not removed, the urethane gets pushed off the pinchweld and therefore it is an UNSAFE install. Can't tell you how many times we have worked on 1217/1199 windshields and the urethane is doing a better job holding the cowl on rather than holding the windshield in. Why? Because the cowl was not removed.
Can it be done? A more experienced tech may have a "better" chance of it working, but No Guarantees! Not something I believe should be promoted.

My tip would be this. Remove ALL cowls! Take note to how LITTLE of time it actually takes to remove. Safety is #1 and should not be compomised by MINUTES of "saved" time. If you can't do it right, DON'T DO IT AT ALL. CUSTOMERS LIVES ARE AT STAKE!!!!!!

Thanks!!

[I_Hate_Butyl_Tape]

I don't totally disagree with you, sydfloyd44, but I don't totally agree with you either.

I have done hundreds of these using this method and over the years many of them have become repeat customers. I check my own work (not only when this happens) and this method has been very succesful for me.

As for pushing the urethane out of place? If this happened, that windshield would be coming right back out. And the job would be done over again. Hasn't happened yet. I guess I have the knack for doing it this way. I do remove the cowls in situations where I have to set the glass by myself.

You said something about a more experienced tech having better success... couldn't agree more. Don't try this if you're not comfortable with it... but for me, minutes count. A 15 windshield day is a slow day for me. But I would never sacrifice safety for time. I suppose I should have mentioned that.

You made some great points. Keep them coming. And keep promoting safety and quality. Not enough of that in this trade.

[glasssgod]

Butyl Tape Hater is right, DW01168 replacements do not need to have the cowl removed and it has no bearing on safety if you know what you're doing. However this is one of the few where you do not need to remove a cowl. Just did a GMC Canyon today for the first time. There are side moldings you have to be a little gentle with to pull off, everything else was straight forward and really very simple. Took 40 minutes start to finish. Glass comes with 1" wide molding attached.

[bot]

a 15 winshield day ..thats alot of glass...

[cap]

Just wanted to say, I hate butyl tape too! lol. Especially in the Texas sun.

[glassdude]

A 15 windshield day is a slow day for me. But I would never sacrifice safety for time. I suppose I should have mentioned that.
.

If your doing 15 windshield installations a day (and as you said, this is on a slow day) your taking way too many shortcuts. Think safety man.

Lets use your installation time on this DW1168 of 40 minutes. It would take you 10 hours of non stop work to complete this task. What about drive time between installs? Talking with the customers before and after the job? Eating lunch? 85-95 degree weather? Hot, humid, and sweaty.

Remove all cowlings, do a full cut, clean and prime if needed.
It takes just a couple of minutes to remove most cowlings.

-Jeff

[AGSS]

Jeff, I see you are in the Atlanta area. I trained there in Marietta 15+ years ago. I'm now just south of you in Savannah.

ps cool website with the dummy thing.

[glasssgod]

If your doing 15 windshield installations a day (and as you said, this is on a slow day) your taking way too many shortcuts. Think safety man.

Lets use your installation time on this DW1168 of 40 minutes. It would take you 10 hours of non stop work to complete this task. What about drive time between installs? Talking with the customers before and after the job? Eating lunch? 85-95 degree weather? Hot, humid, and sweaty.

Remove all cowlings, do a full cut, clean and prime if needed.
It takes just a couple of minutes to remove most cowlings.

-Jeff

Why not just take the tires off too and anything else that is absolutely unnecessary?