Glass Install Concerns

911fool · 05-22-2012, 09:11 AM

Group,

A professional glass install on my '79 SC coupe is not going well, and I need advice. I was assured the tech has experience with the 911 seals with aluminum trim, and the price for new front glass installed @ $236 and $50 per quarter and rear old glass installed with me providing new seals seemed a good deal.

The crew showed up with the wrong windshield, one with green tint as I requested but with a heavy blue shade at the top. I asked for a light green shade which I think is what was originally fitted. The Glass America store manager said he would get the shield I requested and would come back to install, but that the job was seriously underbid at $486 and should have been bid at $1000, but they would do the job for $486.

Two hours later they had installed the rear glass but the seal is puckered at the top corners; they said they would use a heat gun when they return to make it lie flat. They installed one quarter, but the seal interferes with the door, which now cannot be closed; they said they would have to remove the quarter glass and do it over.

Then they left. It's been a week, the store manager does not return my calls, and the work is unsatisfactory. I wonder if they are planning to return, or if I want them to return. I haven't paid for anything at this point.

Why do you think the rear seal is puckered? Did they install it upside down? the seam is at the top. In removing the quarter and the rear glass to try to fix what is wrong, is there a good chance they will damage the new headliner (from our host)? Do these new seals need to be cut out and replaced, rather than simply pushed out? No glue has been used on these seals at this point.

Everything else on this car I have done myself, except the engine rebuild which a friend and I are doing together. If I had known professionals would do such a bad job, I would have tackled the glass install myself. I could do this work this badly!

roger's 2937 · 05-22-2012, 09:22 AM

I haven't had experience with the quarter windows but the rear glass appears to have been installed using an after market seal. I've had this happen and have tried to fix it to no avail. You must use O.E.M. Porsche seals.

911fool · 05-22-2012, 09:26 AM

Yes, aftermarket. I tried to order the OEM rear seal but Pelican was out of stock, so I took a chance on the cheaper seal. The other seals are OEM.

uncle_scott · uncle_scott's Garage

Same problem here. I was going to use a sealent to try to get the non-oem seal to fit against the glass better, but the reality is that the aftermarket seals fit very poorly. Go OEM on that part.

911fool · 05-22-2012, 09:54 AM

OK, I have ordered an OEM seal. Should I cut out the ill-fitting aftermarket seal (no glue) or can I simply unhook and push out the aftermarket seal without damaging the new headliner?

RSTarga · 05-22-2012, 10:09 AM

You have to take the glass out, put proper OEM seal on glass along with the aluminum trim, and then install the glass. You can't get the trim in after and it helps seat the seal.

911fool · 05-22-2012, 11:00 AM

Yes, thanks, but I understand the assembly steps; the problem was that the new rear seal puckered in the corners and the one quarter OEM seal installed interfered with the door closure. I now have removed both the quarter glass that prevented the door from closing and the rear glass with the puckered new aftermarket seal, and ordered an OEM rear seal that wasn't in stock when I ordered earlier. In taking these steps I may have burned the bridge with the professionals, who do not seem interested in finishing the job anyway.

911fool · 06-16-2012, 06:56 AM

The OEM rear glass seal fit perfectly resolving the pucker issue. Thanks to those who identified that problem.

After a month and hearing nothing from the glass guys who left the job undone, I hired another person who did a wonderful job of installing my glass. All looks great with no aluminum or paint damage.

carsngolf · carsngolf's Garage

Where are you located? Getting that rear window installed, even with the correct gasket, is a nightmare. Getting the aluminum trim into the rubber seal is nearly impossible and then getting the entire assembly installed without the aluminum coming loose IS impossible. If you have located a man who can do this job and have it come out right, he is invaluable. Let us know.

regency · regency's Garage

I've removed and re-installed my glass in my 73 Coupe a few times, each time with nothing less than a struggle. In the upper corners of the W/S i had small gaps and was not happy.

Finally, I got my dash restored ( Classic Nine in Michigan ) and I was ready to buy a new W/S, my original was pitted and cracked. I purchased a new W/S from Kidwell Glass in Orangevale, Ca ($160.) I already had a new Porsche W/S seal. I ordered new trim from Germany thru Niello Porsche ($171.). On a Friday, I popped out my W/S, removed my original dash, installed my restored dash. On Sat. am Dennis Dempster of Dempster Glass came to my house and installed the new W/S and my new rear-view mirror, took him about 3hrs and he manipulated the seal / trim / windshield to a perfect fit. His charge was $150.

Steve

73 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine