Removing windshield from frame to powdercoat

[Junbug]

Any advice on removing the windshield glass from the chrome frame so I can get the frame powder coated? I've seen others with powdercoated windshield frames so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Junbug

[cv2065]

A couple of things. Be careful removing the frame from the glass. It bends easily. You might want to buy some SS windshield inserts from Whitbys. Not necessary but the brass ones in the windshield tend to strip easily. Save the rubber gasket and reuse it. The aftermarket ones seem a little tight. Tell your powder coater to protect the channel and don’t allow any coating in there. It can make it harder to reassemble. Take note of how it all goes back together. The high heat can warp the thin metal a bit, so have patience when putting back together. Ensure that none of the screws make contact with the glass and every screw goes in easily. If it starts to bind up at all when screwing it back together, stop and figure out the issue. It should easily screw together.

Hope that helps.

[CaptB]

^^^^^^^^^^What cv said. Take pics if you need to as you disassemble.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Wait, so people are actually doing this? I guessed people wrapped their windshield frame. Man, now I need to figure this out.

[Norm B]

I took my windshield out of the frame to tap the holes for the sun visors. The packing foam makes an excellent base to lay the windshield on for this process. Do it on a warm day or heat the area you’re working in to soften the rubber seal.
Two things I noticed and fixed while I had the windshield out of the frame:
1. The windshield looked like it had been cut to shape by a rabid beaver. There were enough facets on the edge to make a diamond cutter very happy. All other windshields I had seen on other cars before had a nicely rounded smooth edge on them. Took the time to wet sand the edge to remove any stress points. Hopefully the quality has improved since 2012.
2. The L bracket screws that hold the frame together were too long. They protruded through the rubber seal and may have been in contact with the glass. Again, this was 12 years ago, so that might not hold true today.

Good Luck

Norm

PS On the road 10 years this month. No windshield failures and have driven on some really rough roads.

[CaptB]

It's not hard, just takes a little time.

[Tooth]

I need to put mine back together from powder coating. Took it apart over a year ago, so putting it back together should be fun. Add this to the list of things I took apart and am now trying to put back together, or find. I was dreading the gas cap, but that went back together allot easier than I expected. :eek:

[cv2065]

I was dreading the gas cap, but that went back together allot easier than I expected. :eek:

For future reference, you don't need to take apart the gas cap assembly for powder coat. It's good to go as is, just remove the metal plate and spring, and of course, leave the plastic cap out.

[Jim Wehr]

Having a professional wrap the frame might be much safer. Had never thought of that.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Well, I'm going to try to have it wrapped so I'll report back.

[cv2065]

Well, I'm going to try to have it wrapped so I'll report back.

If you are putting anything in the windshield channel like a rearview mirror or sun visors, might not work that well with the wrap.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Excellent point. I do have the sideview mirrors from Breeze, windings, and I believe my plan was to hang the rearview as well. I will have to pull out the windshield and think this through. It might not look good if the channel is not black.

[Theshandman]

The windshield looked like it had been cut to shape by a rabid beaver. There were enough facets on the edge to make a diamond cutter very happy.

Norm, Good one! That's pretty funny. ;)

[Mike.Bray]

It might not look good if the channel is not black.

I pressed in some black vacuum hose into the open sections of channel. You can see some of it in this picture.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20240517101203mediumrotated.jpg

[Blitzboy54]

It’s not that bad. I documented both removal and re assy in my build thread (re assy post #212).

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Well, Gents. This community never stops to impress me with its knowledge and generosity. I'll have to look at this more thoroughly and I'll let you know in about 1 month when the windshield will need to get done.

Getting ready for first start this week or next. Boom!