Hello All,

The 120's been in the body shop for months. I figure it won't take too long. So, After waiting six months the body work isn't done, because no glass shop wants to take the glass out? After talking to the owner of the body shop finishing the bodywork and spying the car he tells me the glass guy doesn't want to take out the glass because he's afraid to "crack or bust it".... I don't get this. I gave him $200 to pull it and replace seals and put it back in, from what I've read it's an easy job for a glass shop to do, he's worried about having to pay for damages? Don't they have insurance coverage for their work?

I remember the windshield being fairly inexpensive from skandix so I'm considering getting a new one. He tells me if I'm willing to let them take a shot he'll do it as long as they are not responsible and I line up a back up windshield . Am I missing something here?

For your windshield, contact Prosource Glass, Andover Mass. 978- 975- 5400.
I got a 544 one 2 years ago.

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers.
Yes the glass has some visibility issues. I'll look into cost and transit time from scandix. I just thought the glass would be the least of my worries.

I have managed to get a lot done on the car without much cost over the years, so the money and time I'm sinking into it now should be worth it. I'm just uneasy working with shops that don't know, or respect these cars.

FYI, I don't know if anyone's seen the list yet but Popular Mechanics put the p1800 on the 100 most beautiful cars list.

cheers,

greendread

do not pay someone to do a job that they are admitting they are unable or unqualified to do , do it yourself as you will give the job the attention and care it deserves

If the windshield is over 20 years old it is pitted and will give poor visibility when the sun or on coming headlights reflexes all the micro scratches. I bought a new windshield through Volvo for $250 5 years ago so expensive and probably more now. If you can afford it it's worth the investment long term because of the increased visibility. I installed it with the help of a friend and was painless. Just patience and sufficient soapy water. You probably will find rusted metal were the windshield gasket sits so the windshield must come out before painting. Good luck.

They just need to cut through the old seal all the way around with a utility knife, and the glass lifts right out. There is no danger at all of breaking it.

With cutting the seal there is no danger of breaking the glass when you remove it. There is danger of breaking the used glass when re-installing it. The glass has to be flexed a little for re-installation, and they can crack then. The pitting and chips on used windshield glass gives stress risers. New windshield glass never cracks on installation.
--
john

Hello All,

Thanks for the responses. I've read that article several times; great info there. I suspect it is as easy as cutting the seal and nudging the glass out; so I'm going to stop over to the shop sometime soon with a few blankets and take it out myself. I at least hope to spend some time making sure the metal around the glass is perfect before it gets a spray. Maybe I'll get a 50% discount for doing half the the job ;) Unfortunately I doubt it. Progress has been slow... I know am a firm believer that a good mechanic/body shop is not nearly the same as a shop or mechanic who really knows the car. Getting all the glass and seals out isn't going to happen this time around. So I'll take the car to someone who knows the car later to do the rest of the glass and seals after the first paint.


cheers,

greendread

Hello All,

Thanks for the responses. I've read that article several times; great info there. I suspect it is as easy as cutting the seal and nudging the glass out; so I'm going to stop over to the shop sometime soon with a few blankets and take it out myself. I at least hope to spend some time making sure the metal around the glass is perfect before it gets a spray. Maybe I'll get a 50% discount for doing half the the job ;) Unfortunately I doubt it. Progress has been slow... I know am a firm believer that a good mechanic/body shop is not nearly the same as a shop or mechanic who really knows the car. Getting all the glass and seals out isn't going to happen this time around. So I'll take the car to someone who knows the car later to do the rest of the glass and seals after the first paint.


cheers,

greendread

I called all over the San Francisco Bay Area before I found a shop that'd replace the glass on my Amazon. No one wants to touch them. The guy I finally found is totally old school and was really happy to work on it. If you can't find someone like that where you are, you could just take it out yourself. There are good instructions here: http://vclassics.com/archive/windprn.htm.
--
The other Phil S. | '68 Amazon daily driver

Hi Phil,

I'm also in the Bay area, looking for someone to re-do the windshield gaskets. would you mind referring me to the windshield guy you found?

Thanks,
F.R.

P.S. Also just found a good video on windshield replacement for VW bugs...I imagine the process can't be that different from that of a 122.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq_0Qbhjfa8

Thank's a ton for the url... totally demystified the process. i am however feeling more suspect about the shop I'm working with. Been going down there over several weekends and they are closed in the middle of the day. Eventually I'll get there at the right time, and take the glass out myself! Date of delivery in Jan.... Let's see if pulling the glass get's me any closer to a finished car ;)

Phil - I'm in need of installing a new windshield as well. Who do you recommend after your Bay Area search?
Thanks,
Ted

Ted - Just sent you PM.
--
The other Phil S. | '68 Amazon daily driver