E135 Tri-Five Windshield Installation and Big Mistakes to Avoid! 1956 Chevy Bel Air Restoration
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- How to install a new windshield in a Tri-Five Chevy!
In Episode 135 we attempt to install the windshield in our 1956 Bel Air with mixed results. How to install the windshield gasket, what sealers to use and not use, whether to use glazing, strip caulk or butyl... will you need a rope or a pic?
Maybe this will help answer the question, why does my windshield LEAK?!?
Bill Thomassie
"Christine" 1956 Chevy Bel Air
2-door Sedan Restoration
Music Credits:
"Greaser" by TrackTribe
• TrackTribe - "Greaser"...
TH-cam Standard License
Thanks for the great video.
I am about to pull the windshield to do some body work. I was going to use the 3M Strip Calk, 08578 and appreciate your research! I am doing a 2 lane blacktop tribute and changing my 210 into a 150 and have acquired the windshield and rear light rubber gaskets for the 150 that don't have the grooves for the stainless trims.
This is great work. The same exact glass is in my 1957 GMC and mine is OEM and kinda ragged but I ain't touchin' it. I broke two windscreens on a 1965 Buick special but finally the third one worked with what I think was the lost 3M goo. I have put in 5 or more windscreens in Triumph TR6s TR4s and Spitfires and it a breeze next to what you did. I also did a 1962 TBird and that was hell. I asked a "pro" windscreen installer to help me with that one and he laughed. On my GMC, being all OEM, can tell you that it is a fact that they leaked from the factory. I know for a fact that mine is all OEM and water was getting in for years. Not much damage but no seal tape or goo, like you did, is crazy. I had to pack the seal to get it to stop but now she lives inside. Great work and I know you will get it set. A day in the direct hot sun will help. Great work!
I still haven't tested it with a hose, but I sure will before I put a stitch of upholstery in!
You’re doing it Bill! Great job and great info! Thank you so much for sharing. This was probably the most stressful video I’ve wanted. I can only imagine what it was like on your end. I bet your wallet was sweating too 😄
I don't ever want to do that again - NEVER!
I remember putting the windshield in my bothers 55 Chevy in the early eighties with no videos to go by. The gasket we used was tight on the glass and we used a real thick cord that open up the seal real nice, smeared blue gasket sealer on the body and just set it in the hole and pulled the cord out. It's still in the car and has never leaked. This is really a two man job. One to hold the glass in and the other to pull out the cord.
I agree with you on the two-man job. And I think you were improving on what the factory intended but were spot-on with the sealant!
Nice going and great patience. Not sure I have that. Wow what a job! Pat yourself on the back for this one!!! Thx!
This one really took it out of me!
Nerve wracking to say the least. Thanks Bill!
Yes, it WAS!
Great job Bill! I was nervous watching you!!
Yeah, I hated going through that, not once but TWICE!
Good progress
Thanks!
just looked it up, because I've used 3m 08509 bedding and glazing compound before didn't realize it was discontinued. People recommend CRL 7708 for and alternative .
Well, one thing is certain, the urethane based alternative is no alternative! I'd have been better off using latex caulk than that!
Thanks for the video Bill, I appreciate all the information, not only the how to but also the products and supplies you use, all very helpful. You are a brave man to attempt the windshield on your own, usually you need a couple helpers to fit it it, great job! Another task off the list! Have a great week!
So far, there isn't anything that I haven't done, by myself, with the exception of having it media blasted. From here to the end, I think only the exhaust and maybe the AC will be jobbed out.
Well you’re doing a pretty awesome job, Christine is looking really good, you should be proud!
I'm surprised you got that far ... the key to getting those to slide in is extreme amounts of some kind of soap ... I always use dish soap ... then carefully push on the outside as you rip the cord ... works better with two people but I have done my wrap around windshields by myself ... with the soap in the glass crack it usually easy to move it if it's off center ... you got it anyways ... crack a beer ... you deserve it ...
I had a beer in its more concentrated form afterwards! LOL! I ended up having to pull this glass completely out to shift it over maybe 1/8" to a quarter. Spent the entire day fooling with this and felt helpless.
I know your pain installing the glass I broke my windshield twice in my 55
Ooof!
great video thanks
No sweat!
Let me start off by saying that there's NOTHING wrong with having chosen Christine. That being said, I choose a 1970 Pontiac GTO (and I can go into why if you'd like), but I'm curious: why did you pick a 1956 Chevy Bel Air? Was it a matter of convenience, a passion project, an inheritance that has emotional significance? I'm curious, if you don't mind sharing, why this car? Again, NOTHING wrong with her and I'm THOROUGHLY enjoying your videos (thank you!), but I'm curious.
Normally, I'd keep that to myself, but I'm commenting to help appease the almighty algorithm.
@stytos well, it's all laid out in Episode 1! I bought Christine almost 20 years ago as a nice roller. My kids grew up with her and I've just always loved what she was, the hot rod, 4-speed, window vents... all of it. So we built the Cutlass convertible to have something more built for comfort to satisfy the household, but Christine has always been my adoration.
Working on a 55 chev front and back glass is oem and no leaks would you paint it with the glass in if you had same
Ya, 3M doesn't make that stuff any more. Back in the '70's I got into the business installing trim and moonroofs on new cars as a contractor. I used that stuff all the time, although the kits came with a small roll of butyl tape, I still used that goop on all of them between the frame and the gasket. Doing my '57 Chevy I found that C R Laurence Co. still sells that sealant. I feel for you and what you went through Ryan. Also that aluminum tacky tape works good to hold the gasket on the tri five windshield, once it's in it comes off from the out side. Then you can goop it up by cutting a small angle on the applicator nossle with no chance of breaking the glass!
And one thing, on the Lyle or K.D. tool rack, they have this heavy duty hook tool for pulling that lip in. I ground the tip down and polished it and it works great. 40 yo tool but they still make them just for this style of autoglass.
Great tips! I used to have a '79 Monte Carlo with an aftermarket moon roof. It leaked, but that was around the gasket where the glass clamped shut.
@@RestoringChristine1956 yep, they weren't made to last. I feel I ruined a lot of good cars like the 240 Z, Vancouver Datsun had me install them in every one of them. It was my job!!
I thought about doing mine myself.then decided the money saved in labor would likely be spent on a a second window.i hired a windshield company who sent out 2 guys.they had my front and rear windows installed in literally 1 hour.well worth 300.00.
I'd jump at $300 to avoid that!
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What manufacturer/paint code did you use for the roof color?
That's the original India Ivory, but the formulation is supposedly something that Dupont/Axalta has in their files that they can provide to the vendor that mixes the paint. My supplier told me they called the home office and were given something.
@@RestoringChristine1956 Thanks! The plan for my Nomad is to get the body sandblasted and quarter panels patched. Once that’s done my roof would get restored/painted India Ivory, interior restoration to look like the original orange/white scheme and the rest of body hot rod black.
I bet some ass at the epa is responsible for the good sealant no longer being available.
Actually, no, but it does likely have to do with regulations. The new urethane holds the glass in place as one with the body. The old goop isn't like a glue, and the glass can be pushed out. A glass man told me that that's why he can't use the old-style kits with the square rope that you roll onto the body to seal the glass.