Dan Juday Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) Right now a pair of guys are installing a new windshield in my service van, an 05 Chevy Express. I asked the boss (the owner of the small company) if it's posible to install the S30 windshield like the new cars with a bed of urathane and the plastic "T" trim molding. He said as long as the glass is larger than the pinch-weld it's no problem. He even has molding that is up to two inches wide. The black boarder on new windshields in called the "frit". He says that he can paint that on before installing the new glass to leave a nice clean finished edge so you don't see the glue. Just thought I would pass that on as I've seen the question come up before. Edited August 23, 2011 by Dan Juday 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceVance Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Do it and post up pictures! I would love to have the frit painted on mine to allow for a modern windshield mounted rear view mirror. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Sounds very promising. Would love to see results... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinpieces Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube80z Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Right now a pair of guys are installing a new windshield in my service van, an 05 Chevy Express. I asked the boss (the owner of the small company) if it's posible to install the S30 windshield like the new cars with a bed of urathane and the plastic "T" trim molding. He said as long as the glass is larger than the pinch-weld it's no problem. He even has molding that is up to two inches wide. The black boarder on new windshields in called the "frit". He says that he can paint that on before installing the new glass to leave a nice clean finished edge so you don't see the glue. Just thought I would pass that on as I've seen the question come up before. A friend glued the window on his 280Z chump car. It worked great and we saved a nice gasket from being wasted. Oddly the car drove very different before and after. Gluing in the windshield makes the car stiffer and at least in this old clunker you can feel it. cary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Unless you have strengthened the uni-body alot, I would hesitate installing the windshield with urethane, due to the body flex causing the glass to crack on moderate powered 240 - 280's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted August 24, 2011 Author Share Posted August 24, 2011 I don't know. I use polyurathan all the time in my work. When dry the consistancy is very similar to the rubber gasket material. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I have a perfect windshield and gasket. If I do need to replace either in the future I'm going to try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graphitez Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Hi, I am a NGA certified autoglass tech (8 Years now),In my professional opinion this is a bad idea. The s30 windshield was designed to be a gasket set, it does not have enough overhang on the pinchweld to use the proper amount of ureathane to bond to the glass,The bead would hit on the very edge of the glass,not safe at all. As far as the universal moulding (up to 2" wide)It would look like crap in the top corners where you would have to cut 45 deg angles because of the pointy corners.Painting a frit band (border) on the edge of the glass only looks good when it has metal moulding that covers it (example : Chevy Chevelle), The purpose of a frit band is not only to make a border,it protects the ureathane bead from the suns UV rays,which eats away over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Modern cars incorporate the windscreen as part of the car's structure, so it becomes part of the car's chassis. Bonding it in makes sense, providing the body is stiff enough not to overstress the screen so it cracks. With some modern cars if the screen is cracked the crack quickly extends, due apparently to chassis flex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Washington Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I have had a couple of customers remove the metal strip from the stock gasket and use a d/a sander to sand down the rubber so that it looks more like a universal gasket...but without the issues at the top corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 tuff z Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Saw this while at the vintage races last weekend. Spoke with the owner/driver about the mod. His drive was aerodynamics, along with enclosing the rad opening, splitter to the front crossmember and shaving the drip rails. Asked how long-been installed over 3 years-no street driving-just racing, no replacements, a few rock hits [he had the 'stars' repaired] but no cracks. Looks to me as though he used the stock gasket, sliced off the outer layer and used modern adhesive-smoothing it afterward. He didn't do the install but had a glass shop do it. Oh, he cleanly won his class and ran a 2:12.4 best lap. For reference I've touched 2:19 with my z on street tires and barely kept it on the track for that lap... Windshield-also shows shaved drip rails Close up of corner Another close up Inside shot of stock gasket Not judging any of the previous posts nor do I possess any specialized knowledge about windows. Wanted to pass along info from a Z racer who found success with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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