Chevy El Camino Windshield - Super Chevy Magazine

Chevy El Camino Windshield Old Windshield

Out with the old... With a minimum of effort, Loy McKenrick removes the old, cracked windshield from our El Camino, making way for a cleaned-up window channel and new glass. The seal on our old windshield was so dry that the windshield didn't have to be cut out-Loy simply gave it a push from the inside and it popped out.

Out with the old... With a minimum of effort, Loy McKenrick removes the old, cracked winds

Though we tend to think of them in a positive light, not all windows of opportunity are beneficial. Take, for example, the windshield seal on our resident El Camino. After decades of service in the hot Southwestern sun, the seal had shriveled up like a dried prune, giving water a "window of opportunity" to flow freely inside the vehicle during even the lightest mist.

At first it seemed comical to bail out our car's interior after every rain, but we eventually grew weary of this exercise. Yet we continued to put off the repair out of fear that the windshield channel would look like Swiss cheese once we got the glass out. Our procrastination finally hit its limit, however, and we made an appointment with Loy McKenrick at Auto Perfections in La Habra, California, to fix the expected damage and replace the glass. Anticipating the worst, we showed up with a reproduction lower windshield channel from the Muscle Factory.

To our pleasant surprise, no sheetmetal surgery was necessary. There was a fair amount of surface rust in the lower windshield channel, but no areas that had completely rusted through. So, with Loy's help, we were able to thoroughly wire brush and chemically treat the rusty spots and prep the windshield channel for new glass, all in a matter of hours. Don't you just love it when a repair is this easy? Follow along and we'll show you what we did, and pass along some tips that might help when it comes time to replace glass or make repairs on your vintage Chevy.

Prior to removing the glass, the wipers and windshield trim were removed. The windshield trim is best removed with a special tool like Loy is using.

Prior to removing the glass, the wipers and windshield trim were removed. The windshield t

LOOKING (FOR) GLASS
Okay, so you know you need a new windshield (or backlite) for your vintage Chevy, but where do you start looking for it? Well, the best place to begin searching just might be your closest automotive glass supplier. You might be surprised at what they have in stock, or what they can get. Loy at Auto Perfections used his usual glass supplier to find our new El Camino windshield, which was readily available and cost a very reasonable $125.

If you've got a slightly more obscure Chevy and aren't having any luck with your local glass guy, there are a number of specialty glass suppliers and locator services that can probably find what you need and ship it to your door. We've listed some of the larger suppliers below. And for you by-the-numbers guys, many of these suppliers offer glass that is (or can be) date-coded to make it correct for your restoration.

As expected, we found plenty of dirt and debris in our windshield channel. A shop vacuum sucked up the bulk of it.
As expected, we found plenty of dirt and debris in our windshield channel. A shop vacuum s
Loy made sure to remove all of the trim clips next. The clips along the top and bottom of the windshield channel simply popped out, but the side clips were screwed in place from the factory. New clips are available and should be used when possible, but we saved and re-used these screw-in clips.
Loy made sure to remove all of the trim clips next. The clips along the top and bottom of
Then the old, dry seal was scraped out as completely as possible.

As you can see, the lower windshield channel contained plenty of surface rust, but nothing too deep or serious. Had the channel been riddled with rust holes, we could have replaced the whole thing with this reproduction panel from the Muscle Factory.
As you can see, the lower windshield channel contained plenty of surface rust, but nothing
There were a couple of holes at the corner of the windshield, but these are drain holes that are supposed to be there.
There were a couple of holes at the corner of the windshield, but these are drain holes th
With a wire wheel and scuff pad in hand, we began attacking the rust. This, combined with a chemical rust treatment, should suffice for most light-rust applications like this. For a more thorough clean-up, the area can also be media blasted.
With a wire wheel and scuff pad in hand, we began attacking the rust. This, combined with

Next we coated the entire windshield channel with a rust-preventative primer (we'd suggest PPG's DP series of primers for those of you trying this at home). Since the rest of our project is in primer, and the dash still needs to be painted, we didn't worry about masking off the area. Had the rest of our car been ready for paint, we probably would have painted the channel at this time as well.
Next we coated the entire windshield channel with a rust-preventative primer (we'd suggest
We replaced the windshield trim clips with new ones from the Muscle Factory. The clips simply slide onto the studs on the windshield channel. If you have to weld in new sections of channel, you'll also have to weld, rivet, or screw in new studs. And don't forget to replace the screw-in clips on the windshield pillars.
We replaced the windshield trim clips with new ones from the Muscle Factory. The clips sim
Installing the windshield was a multi-step procedure that began with a brush-on adhesive primer.
Installing the windshield was a multi-step procedure that began with a brush-on adhesive p

Next came the seal itself. We used a butyl seal from the Muscle Factory that is rolled out and applied like a tape. It's important not to touch the seal, and it's also imperative that you use a seal that's designed for this task, as most off-the-shelf silicone sealants aren't up to the task of holding a windshield in place. If you still end up with leaks down the road, urethane windshield sealant can be used to fill any cracks or gaps.
Next came the seal itself. We used a butyl seal from the Muscle Factory that is rolled out
A small band of the brush-on adhesive primer was also applied around the edge of the windshield to promote better adhesion to the seal.
A small band of the brush-on adhesive primer was also applied around the edge of the winds
Prior to installing the glass, a pair of small rubber blocks was placed on the lower windshield channel. The blocks keep the windshield from sliding all the way down in the windshield channel.
Prior to installing the glass, a pair of small rubber blocks was placed on the lower winds

When the windshield was installed, the bottom edge was first placed on the rubber blocks, then the rest of the windshield was lowered into place. It's important to apply pressure around the perimeter of the windshield to make sure it makes good contact with the seal.
When the windshield was installed, the bottom edge was first placed on the rubber blocks,
Once the windshield was secure, the trim pieces were snapped back into place.
All finished! The new windshield not only gives us a clearer view of the world, but should also do a good job of keeping the elements out of our El Camino's interior.
All finished! The new windshield not only gives us a clearer view of the world, but should

SOURCES
Auto Perfections 950 E. Whittier Blvd. La Habra CA 90631	Muscle Factory 2031-D Via Burton Anaheim, CA 92806
Auto City Classics 28433 Hwy. 65 NE Isanti, MN 55040	Bob's Classic Auto Glass 21170 Hwy 36 Blachly, OR 97412
D&P Classic Chevy 18392 Enterprise Lane #1 Huntington Beach CA 92658	Glass Search/LOF 1975 Galaxie Ave. Columbus, OH 43207
OEM Glass Inc. P.O. Box 362, Rt. 9 E Bloomington, IL 61702