Anyone ever done this before? I'm getting my RX7 ready for paint and I'd like to have the rear glass out so the body guy can get to every last spot on the car. I'm trying to figure out of its worth the effort or not. Has anyone done this before? I read that you're supposed to use a piece of piano wire to cut the adhesive, is this the most common method or are there others?

And most important, what do used rear 1/4 windows sell for used, should I happen to shatter mine?

Thanks!

 

Yes, it is best to remove all glass for a quality paint job. One would amazed at the amount of rust that can be found under the windshield. The plastic triangle will need to be popped off, the mounting tabs will break, but they can be reinstalled with black rtv. There is a bolt/nut under that that needs to be removed. The steel piece at the front of the 1/4 glass has a bolt that goes through the body. You will need to remove the B pillar trim to get to the nut. After that, use the piano wire to cut window sealant.

 

I believe ther was a thread on this subject in the past month try and search for it. If I find it I will post it in this thread for you.

Edit: I guess Trochoid already lent a helping hand

 

your crazy, dont touch it, your paint will look good.. 323is running ")

 

Thanks for the help trochoid. I won't be removing the windsheild because that's too much work and there doesn't appear to be any rust, or hint of rust near the base of the windsheild. I've removed the cowl panel and inspected the metal underneath and it looks clean. I'll try pulling the rear glass this weekend!

Does it have to be piano wire? I don't have a piano I can steal a wire from. Could I use guitar string, maybe the E string?

 

Most of the rust will be across the top of the windshield. Check that area very carefully. If there is any bubbling in the paint near the trim, pull the windshield. Visit your local auto parts store, they sell the wire in rolls. I use a pair of vice grips on each end to saw through the sealant. I haven't tried guitar string, I'm not a musical person, unfortunately. Other members have had good success with guitar strings, I have no clue what the differences are in the different strings. You want one that is thin, strong and has some texture to it.

If you do decide to remove the windshield, get a helper and work carefully. When you get to that point post back and I will walk you through it.

 

B6T....


Use welding wire, Holds up quite alot without breaking! I've done this job b4. It's not to hard but you definitely need 2 people.

Wrap the wire round screw driver handles, Wear gloves!

If you break one, I have spares that I bought awhile back

 

I did this about a year back. Some fool in my auto class slammed the hatch and the passenger 1/4 window blew to a million pieces. I had to cut the window out of my parts car. I used a heat gun on the seal and then went at it with the wire. Took a while, and it got snagged on some screws a couple of times, but overall it worked pretty well.

 

I have rebuilt a lot of wecked RX-7s, mostly 1st gen cars years ago, and repainted many of them. I have never removed the quarter glass for that purpose, and I highly recommend that you do not. You can easily mask the glass and the adhesive with tape and it will never show any paint margins if you do it carefully because the paint lines will be hidden down in the channel. Those windowns are a structural part, as is the windshield, and should not be removed unless they are broken. If they are removed, use a good quality structural adhesive - if in doubt talk with the glass shop.

I am reminded of the story a friend told me who worked for a small cargo airline years ago, one of those CIA front organizations, hauling unmentionable stuff into the Far East. He was in charge of maintenance, and he said he had a roll of stickers made up that they would put over the flight deck switches for things that were inoperative. The stickers said "DFWI", which meant "Don't F**k With It".

I did actually remove the quarter windows on a couple of these cars. You can see why on the third page here:

www.cardomain.com/ride/646433

 

mine is shatter and i have to replace it. so..yeah.