rust around windshield, is repairing this a big deal? (pics)

[Curt914]

Hi everyone

I really need your advice as I have never dealt with body shops for repair or restoration and don’t want to screw this up.
I think this is definitely one of those times where the right approach can make all the difference.

That said, I have a 73 914 that is exceptionally rust free except around the windshield.
I don’t know if this is a common place for these cars to rust, so here are some photos. (shown below)

Is this kind of rust a big deal? Or is cutting out that rust (which I am sure goes into the windshield area)
and replacing with new metal a relatively easy job that just about anyone can do.

I guess the main thing I worry about is the repair to the channel that the windshield fits into.
Neither of the body shops that I have talked to (casually, so far) remove or put back in the windshield.
They let a local windshield shop (that otherwise has no interest the quality of the restoration) R&R the windshield.
I am not sure I am thrilled with this aspect.
Or is this no big deal and commonplace?

Right now the engine is out of the car so I was going to trailer the car to whatever body shop I selected.
I figured I would take off the trim, remove the wiper and heater stuff from the trunk area and even remove the dash.

For the CA locals: who the heck do I take this car to?
I have called a fair number of shops and they are not interested in doing rust repair.
I live on the central coast of CA half way between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo near Santa Maria.
John at West Coast Garage recommended a shop in Santa Maria, but he has not yet had any work done there himself.
The only other shop I have heard of is about three hours south of here.

Thanks everyone

Curt
Lompoc, Ca

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Not that uncommon--usually it's from water and dirt getting into the channel that the rubber trim strip is sticking out of. It's not unusual for a body shop to let a window specialist deal with the glass. Some window places will come to you, and if they come to the body shop your car never has to sit outside with no windshield.

Sorry to hear that John hasn't seen bodywork by the place that he recommended. (That's a bit odd...) I don't know of any place down that-a-way, but maybe MikeZ does. He's in SB, which is down the coast a ways. He may or may not read this thread, he hangs out on the 914club BBS more. (Watch out, they play rough over there.) Mark Britell is in the Santa Maria area as well, he's a friend and customer of John's but he may have more experience with local body shops.

--DD

[Curt914]

Hi Dave

Wow, that was a fast reply, hardly turned around from posting my request and you had already posted a response. Thanks

Yeah, John at West Coast has seen some work done by this local shop around the corner from him, but he has not actually had any work done there himself. I guess its still a good recomendation.
And I guess what I am worried about is that the guy doing the restoration (rust repair) is not the one putting in the glass and seeing how it actually fits. Like I said, I have never done this before and dont how much to worry. Thanks Dave

Curt

[John2kx]

Curt,

I don't think the windshield mounting should have anything to do with who does the rust repair. I'm in the middle of pulling my windsheild now and don't see anything unique about how it's installed in a 914. If your going to remove all the pieces necessary to pull a windsheild, you've just made the repair job that much easier.

My concern would be with the proper repair of the rusted areas you pointed out in pics. You'll probably get various opinions on how to fix this...........from sanding and bondo to a full cut out and replacement of all metal. The later won't be cheap.


John

[Biggy72]

sanding and bondo over a hole? Only if you're going to sell it on ebay.... It needs to have at least the whole and anything around it that's thin patched with new metal. I really wouldn't be suprised if there's a nice hole under the chrome trim along the little channel that the windshield sits on. I had alot of the same kinda rust, but maybe worse. I just cut it out and welded alot of new stuff in and then ground it til it was pretty smooth and then put on a skim coat of bondo to get it the rest of the way smooth. I think having a windshield specialist kinda guy doing the windshield stuff would be an advantage, because they know how to handle the glass and exactly what needs to be done for it to be weather tight. Just make sure it's done right and spend a little money now so you don't have to spend more later getting it fixed again in a year or two.