We recently bought a '99 Camaro SS, which has the common distorted later
windshield. Its also got a rock chip. We still have the totalled '95 Z28 with a
good windshield. I called a glass shop and its 220 to replace. They dont want
to even try to remove the '95 windshield for fear it will break. The problem is,
most the aftermarket windshields I have seen are as distorted as a fun house
mirror. To the point it caused vehicles in the distance to double in size.

So anyone know any tricks?

Tom

 

Your insurance might cover it for the rock chip, and it would be worth it if you have a low deductible. You should be able to get it out without damaging it (why bother anyway, it's already chipped). You should be able to get the special tools for it from a good auto paint shop.

 

Sorry, maybe that was confusing.

My wife had a mint condition white 1995 Camaro Z28 with a distortion free
windshield. In March we were forced into the center divider by an SUV and
totalled the car. The windshield survived. We bought a fixer-upper '99 SS
two months later, and have ben transfering parts over (entire interior, etc).
The '99 (red) has a distorted windshield with a chip. I dont want to waste
any money getting the chip fixed, the winshield is crap. I want to remove
the '95 Z28 windshield and install it into the '99 SS. I would rather not use
an aftermarket, as every one I have seen installed looked like the funhouse
mirrors you see at a carnival. I assume that GM switched glass suppliers.

Tom

 

use the ss as practice....try melting the sealant around the glass maybe....if it were me and i could practice a blow torch would be my best friend.

 

I think heat would crack the windshield, I was thinking of using wire through
the bead and pulling it around. Maybe a dremel with a cutoff wheel.

Tom

 

I have a buddy who has been doing auto glass for 15+ years. He has people ask him to try this all the time. Doing every thing he can he says they still break almost every time, sometimes it comes out ok though. One nick on the edge and its done.

 

I save 19 of 20 but it depends on the car. I have a tool that looks like a saws all with a wide thin blade on it and with some lube and practice it can be done in 5 minutes. The moulding can be reused if your careful and you will need some urethane and primer for the scratches. Try a couple of shops and you might find someone with enough experience to do it. It really should be done by someone understanding windshields since the airbags needs the windshield to remain intact in an accident.

 

I plan to have a qualified shop put it back in, but I cant find one to remove it.
I would think its possible. I dont car about the car its in, I just want the glass.

Tom

 

I pay $60 for the glass from the wholesaler for the Camaros. I charge $100 to R&I a windshield so the cost of a new one is not much more. I quoted a new windshield for $175 installed and that was reusing the old moulding. Glass is real cheap here so it depends on the market. The best glass out there is the Pilkington brand and they make OEM for many of the car companies. No one will quarantee to save it but if you don't know what your doing your going to break it 9 out of 10 times.

 

I broke mine trying to pull my wipers off...i was a lil pissed needless to day, but 100$ deductible later, the glass crew came out and slapped in a new one in less than 5 minutes i swear, those guys are good at what they do and the new windshield was crystal clear. only 100 bucks, i can imagine that a 95 windshield would look pretty rough by now.

 

When we were looking for the replacement for the '95 Camaro and eventually
found the '99, just about EVERY car we looked at had a replacement glass and
they were ALL distorted. Not making this up, it was quite shocking. The glass
in the '95 is in perfect shape, and no distortion. Thats why I feel the need to
hold onto it, from what I have seen the aftermarket glass is crap. That said
most of the later Camaros have distorted glass from the factory. I imagine that
GM might have been using up the rejected glass from the earlier years.

Tom

 

The windshield is one of the biggest they make and thats probably why they have problems. If you buy a new one have the shop order it an hold it up to make sure its a good one.