Removing Baywindow Windshield without Breakage?

[hambone]

The POR really encapsulates it though. It's "permanent" seemingly. My battery tray is out in the rain right now, quietly laughing.

[chitwnvw]

I would think if you apply the fiberglass using the por-15 instead of resin, it will be just fine.

[Highlander]

I had read the fiberglass is a water sponge and makes a bad patch anywhere it touches metal. Otherwise I would have done that months ago. I am all for the pro's putting it it, if I broke a new windshield I would go postal in my town.

Fiberglass insulation can hold water. Fiberglass cloth with the POR15 has held to the steel for a year now. POR is amazing stuff.
If a pro installer breaks their windshield while installing it, you get a new one. Self installing - to me - is a false economy. New windshield, new seal, professional installation. Pay once.

[Sylvester]

I had read the fiberglass is a water sponge and makes a bad patch anywhere it touches metal. Otherwise I would have done that months ago. I am all for the pro's putting it it, if I broke a new windshield I would go postal in my town.

Fiberglass insulation can hold water. Fiberglass cloth with the POR15 has held to the steel for a year now. POR is amazing stuff.
If a pro installer breaks their windshield while installing it, you get a new one. Self installing - to me - is a false economy. New windshield, new seal, professional installation. Pay once.

Do you have any pictures of the job you did? I think I will got that route also. Then have pro install when I buy it the windshield. Had I known this reply worked I would have done it months ago!

[bretski]

Bretski, did you ever replace this glass? I am wanting to do mine but have to have a fix lined up for my windshield lip when mu old one is out.

Not yet. My crack worsened, creeping to the top of the windshield. I'm now very sceeeeeered to touch it lest the entire windshield crumble in my hands...

It's still on my to do list, and I intend to get to it sometime in the near future I plan to use Masterseries over whatever pits I find, as it works much better for that application than POR15.

On a related note, in reference to the question of fiberglass encasement: Masterseries is great for that. I did a patch behind the passenger wheel well 4 years ago, and it's still hard as a rock.

[Sylvester]

Bretski, did you ever replace this glass? I am wanting to do mine but have to have a fix lined up for my windshield lip when mu old one is out.

Not yet. My crack worsened, creeping to the top of the windshield. I'm now very sceeeeeered to touch it lest the entire windshield crumble in my hands...

It's still on my to do list, and I intend to get to it sometime in the near future I plan to use Masterseries over whatever pits I find, as it works much better for that application than POR15.

On a related note, in reference to the question of fiberglass encasement: Masterseries is great for that. I did a patch behind the passenger wheel well 4 years ago, and it's still hard as a rock.

What is this "Masterseries"?

[bretski]

What is this "Masterseries"?

This stuff:
http://www.masterseriesct.com/

It's distributed by a VW enthusiast (Chuck is his name, if I recall correctly).

The corporate website is:
http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/

Price is the same either place, so I've always purchased from Chuck, since he has an affinity for ACVWs :) The "silver" is the product you want for this application. It has several advantages over POR15:

1) Price - much less expensive
2) Preparation - You don't have to go through nearly as much prep as is necessary with POR15. Just remove as much loose scale and rust as is practical, and apply. Use 2 coats for best results.
3) UV Stability. This a a huge benefit if you are mitigating rust, and won't be topcoating immediately.
4) Fills small pitted areas better. It has some metal content to it, and fills better in my experience.

I've tried most every rust-encapsulating product out there, and the Masterseries products are the ones that have performed best for me.

[Sylvester]

1) Price - much less expensive
2) Preparation - You don't have to go through nearly as much prep as is necessary with POR15. Just remove as much loose scale and rust as is practical, and apply. Use 2 coats for best results.
3) UV Stability. This a a huge benefit if you are mitigating rust, and won't be topcoating immediately.
4) Fills small pitted areas better. It has some metal content to it, and fills better in my experience.

So fiberglass and this stuff will do the trick?

[Highlander]

Masterseries works as well if not better than POR. The body supply shop I went to was out of Masterseries and so I ended up with POR. I am a long long way from home right now so I will try to post pictures as soon as I can.

[bretski]

[
So fiberglass and this stuff will do the trick?

Yessir.

[Hippie]

Hmmm. Mine (PPG replacement with new seal) doesn't leak, but it cracked after a couple years at the top, passenger side from the stress of being curved wrong.

I wonder would this stuff work to build up that corner of the windshield flame to fix the curve issue? Would it be enough to take tension off the glass?

[chitwnvw]

Mine pulled the seal out about an 1/8th of an inch. I jammed some roofing tar in the gap and that has stopped the leaking.

[Hippie]

Thats a good idea. The tar stays flexible in the winter/summer expansion and contraction.
My windshield would be original if I hadn't had a tantrum and thrown an engine mount at it.

[Sylvester]

Thats a good idea. The tar stays flexible in the winter/summer expansion and contraction.
My windshield would be original if I hadn't had a tantrum and thrown an engine mount at it.

Mine was a Home Depot ladder that the employee helping me pushed a little too hard. I will be doing this in January or February, and will take pictures as I go. If the rust is too much under the seal, you may see a shot of me crying like Bluto with the broken Jack Daniels bottle.

[Hippie]

Dang, Sly. That's a pisser...when you can't get the same grade replacement parts.