Front & Rear windscreen removal

[1981stallion.]

Hi Guys

Im currently restoring my 84 Alfasud but I have got a little problem, the thing is that I have stripped the car and sanded it down, now im trying to get a professional to remove the rear and front windscreen.

I have contacted some of our major windscreen repairs & replacement companies "PG Glass, Glassfit" and they say that they can do it but they cant guarantee that they wont break the glass, in other words they will remove it at my own risk.

Now that is a chance im not willing to take because they don't supply those windshields anymore and it gets ordered through Alfa Romeo from oversees and I want to do a really good job on the paintwork.

Any help or advise would greatly appreciate it

[77SudTi]

I dont understand how they would be likely to break it, if they knew what they were doing. I guess they are just covering themselves.

I am assuming for an 84 sud, there is just a rubber seal holding the glass and there is no trim inserted into the rubber like the early cars?

For just the rubber seals: take a couple (or more) old flathead screwdrivers (reasonably wide) or some cheapies and round off the edges, and use them on the inside of the car to 'tuck' the inner lip of the seal up under the flange of the window opening - be careful not to pierce the rubber, its pretty tough.

As you go along the seal, you may need to use some other screw drivers or other to hold the rubber to stop it springing back. Start at the top in a corner (I have found the rubber tucks more easily there) and work your way around and down the sides. When you only have the bottom of the seal holding it in, you should be able to gently push the glass outwards from the top - get someone (or two) to help you hold it steady.

If you have any mastic around the seal it may be more difficult, but usually they are dry or the sealant is very dry itself making little difference.

Its quite straight forwards, just take your time. Getting it back in, with sticky black sealant everywhere is the fun part!!

[Alfasixnut]

It is a tricky decision - It can be done by yourself ( better with a friend!) but the specialists do it far more often and are less likely to damage the glass - but it is not guaranteed.

[RSFruitbat]

Whatever you do I wouldnt recommend the 2 foot technique.
NEVER successfully done this on a Sud.

I always use the flat blade screw driver way. If you are really stuck if you can get a screen rubber then stanley knife the screen out.

rsfruitbat

[kevjtd]

as above, they come out fairly easily by hand.
done many front & rear ones without crackign any so i'm sure the professionals will manage it.

they have just said that to cover themselves, standard practice

[1981stallion.]

Thanks for the advice guys, i will attempt to remove it myself without putting any stress or pressure on the windscreens