Well, I'm making an attempt at a hatch reseal...
02-14-2008 | 10:50 AM
#16
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn, Estonia
04-30-2008 | 07:37 PM
#18
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Just an FYI:
I spoke with several glass shops while searching for someone to reseal my hatch. Although nobody would would even pause before saying "NO", I picked up several tips along the way that paid off when I resealed it myself.
*Once the frame is removed, clean and sand the channel COMPLETELY, and primer it with the best primer you can afford, preferably a "real" epoxy, or an etching primer. The "primer" component to whatever adhesive you use will not adhere well to bare metal.
*The black adhesive "primer" can also be used to create a "fret" around the edge of the glass, reducing the UV destruction of the adhesive bond. I masked the entire perimeter of the glass, and swabbed the primer on the glass. It also makes an attractive border which hides the glue from sight. Use the adhesive "primer" on both the glass and the frame before gluing.
*Clean, clean, clean everything before gluing. Make sure everything is spotless.
*Solid-core MIG welding wire, wood shims, and a few cheap extendable razor knives take some of the headache out of separating the frame. Wrap the wire around two small screwdriver handles and slowly saw through the old sealant. It's easier when warm. Follow every few inches with a wood shim, keeping a little bit of tension on the frame. DO AT YOUR OWN RISK! I did this after a brand new tint job, and it survived. Blue painters tape over the tint works well.
I hope this helps you. I found it to be a miserable, but quite rewarding experience, and hope to never do it again!
I spoke with several glass shops while searching for someone to reseal my hatch. Although nobody would would even pause before saying "NO", I picked up several tips along the way that paid off when I resealed it myself.
*Once the frame is removed, clean and sand the channel COMPLETELY, and primer it with the best primer you can afford, preferably a "real" epoxy, or an etching primer. The "primer" component to whatever adhesive you use will not adhere well to bare metal.
*The black adhesive "primer" can also be used to create a "fret" around the edge of the glass, reducing the UV destruction of the adhesive bond. I masked the entire perimeter of the glass, and swabbed the primer on the glass. It also makes an attractive border which hides the glue from sight. Use the adhesive "primer" on both the glass and the frame before gluing.
*Clean, clean, clean everything before gluing. Make sure everything is spotless.
*Solid-core MIG welding wire, wood shims, and a few cheap extendable razor knives take some of the headache out of separating the frame. Wrap the wire around two small screwdriver handles and slowly saw through the old sealant. It's easier when warm. Follow every few inches with a wood shim, keeping a little bit of tension on the frame. DO AT YOUR OWN RISK! I did this after a brand new tint job, and it survived. Blue painters tape over the tint works well.
I hope this helps you. I found it to be a miserable, but quite rewarding experience, and hope to never do it again!
05-01-2008 | 01:27 AM
#20
Wax On, Wax Off
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 17,727
Likes: 4
From: 5280 ft above the sea
I've talked to 3 different glass shops, and not one has said no. ever. they quoted $150.00, and will not guarantee that the glass won't break, and say I must sign something saying that they are not liable for a shattered hatch, but nobody has turned me away.
Then one of em broke my mirror re-gluing it to the backing plate...
luckily it was a free job and I was planning on replacing it anyway, not expecting the repair to hold... they cut a new mirror, and it was too thick and it looked like ***, so I just got a new one to throw on there. I probably won't go to them unless I get the best glass guy they have working on it. another guy just seemed like a shade ball so I'm stayin away from him, the third guy seemed cool about it.
Then one of em broke my mirror re-gluing it to the backing plate...
luckily it was a free job and I was planning on replacing it anyway, not expecting the repair to hold... they cut a new mirror, and it was too thick and it looked like ***, so I just got a new one to throw on there. I probably won't go to them unless I get the best glass guy they have working on it. another guy just seemed like a shade ball so I'm stayin away from him, the third guy seemed cool about it.