[68ragtop]

As I was installing the Glass in my 68 I found some scratches in the right side door glass & the typical scratches lines in the rear quarter glass. I have been watching for replacements, but its been fruitless so far.

In doing some searching I found people saying the aftermarket side glass doesn't fit well, & then others say its great. I would imagine I would buy them from auto city classics. It would also appear I would have to replace all 6 windows as all replacement glass is tinted now.

True story? Or do I have other options?

[OG68]

There's always options. Auto City has non tinted glass.

https://www.autocityclassic.com/1970...right-quarter-

I got lucky and found a pair of unscratched, no tint, rear quarters in a box marked GTO at the local swap meet and $10 for the pair. Just some red overspray that came right off.

[68ragtop]

That is lucky! Nice score!

I called auto city a few months back & he told me he only had tinted glass for the 68 vert
Not opposed to buying all of them other than I don't need all pieces & I am going to be fussy about how well they fit.

I see when I click on each individual glass it gives me the option of "clear" not sure why I was told differently.

OR, I am possibly confusing them with another supplier. Hmmmmmmm

[Half-Inch Stud]

....my brothers 68 LeMans Vert has non-tint side glass

My HT 68 is all Soft-rY shaded, and 1 scratched 1/4 glass. got 2 spare 1/4 tints for R&R someday.

i think original side glass either way is avail from PY folks. Front and rear is best bought NEW!

[68ragtop]

Any experience with the fitment of the new glass?

Guessing there are likely only 1 or 2 suppliers of the glass but a lot of distributors for them?
I have heard its all Overseas mfg.

[north]

not the same car but probably indicative of quality concerns is the glass on my 69 firebird coupe. All the glass is a tinted repop set and it fits really nice, no issues on any of the side glass (I got the car with that glass already installed so I don't know the supplier). I'd say the blue tint is a touch darker than stock so you probably cant mix say a door and a quarter pane with original. Windshield has de-lamination which seems to be common on repop glass.

[gtohurstjudge]

Originally Posted by north

not the same car but probably indicative of quality concerns is the glass on my 69 firebird coupe. All the glass is a tinted repop set and it fits really nice, no issues on any of the side glass (I got the car with that glass already installed so I don't know the supplier). I'd say the blue tint is a touch darker than stock so you probably cant mix say a door and a quarter pane with original. Windshield has de-lamination which seems to be common on repop glass.

I have a full set of auto city classic glass in my 69 GTO and 70 Chevelle
and fit is excellent. The tint is blotchy in certain light conditions on their glass.
The clear glass has no issues whatsoever.
As far as the delamination on the windshield, I had this problem on my GTO with three different windshields over a 30 year span. I finally figured out that it was being caused by the glass installer going around the outer edge of
the windshield with urethane sealer. The chemicals in the urethane were leeching into the laminate in the windshield. I now install my own windshields
using only 3M butyl tape under the glass with nothing on the edge of the glass
PROBLEM SOLVED!

[north]

interesting, I also prefer the butyl tape because it is neater looking, I HATE seeing the squiggly line from a shaky hand using a gun.

[Peter Serio]

I bought some new side glass for my convertible. They offered my year car (63 Lemans) glass in both clear & tinted.

http://www.autocityclassic.com/1963-...-glass-d2404t/

http://www.autocityclassic.com/1962-...-glass-q2405t/

My old side glass had some horizontal scratches in it and it was starting to turn yellow. (Clear glass will do that when it gets old.)

You would be amazed how much nicer new glass makes your car look. I had already replaced my windshield with a new one so the new side glass really looks good next to that!!

[68ragtop]

Thanks guys, you've boosted my confidence a bit. Just so used to nothing fitting if it isn't GM orignal & am tired of the disspoinments.

So what are you using to install the door glass into the base? If they have clear glass, I am going to go that route & at the very least keep my original vent windows. I have those all re-assmbled and the doors already. So I am guessing I would be looking at $400 for the remaining glass & another $75-$100 for the oem LOF etching?

I don't know where I got the idea that I had to go with all green tint glass. I was talking to auto city a couple months back & was going to pull the trigger & pick up the glass at the Jefferson car show. But then I got cold feet hearing the glass never adjusts correctly. I was not sure if that was just a convertible thing or what. So I started looking for oem glass & thats just more of the same thing. scratches here & there & it would seem all quarter glasses have the scratch lines from the weather strip button. Makes sense I suppose. Those windows go down every time the top does.....

[OG68]

Just for an additional source, NPD carries the clear glass. Can't vouch for how well it fits


https://www.npdlink.com/product/glas...o/145421/10526

[68ragtop]

I have heard pretty much all auto glass is made in China. True? Not surprising seeing they are typically $99 per window through a vendor so that includes markup. Makes me wonder if everyone is selling the same glass with different mfg claims?

[Formulajones]

I've bought Pilkington Classic glass in the past, they date code the glass and have original style tinting as well. Has been the choice for concours restorations for as long as I can remember.

On the Butyl tape deal, the only issue with that out here in AZ is that stuff dries up after several years in the sun and heat, and later you have water leaks.

You need a really good installer when using the urethane from the gun since using a gutter like GM did is a long gone practice. What a good installer does now is paints a black backing on the back side of the glass, that also acts as an activator, but when looking through the glass from the front once installed, it's a nice straight black line much like the gutters appeared on factory installed glass. So when the urethane smashes out, you can't see any of it.

If your installer isn't doing this, I'd be looking for a new installer.

[rememberfireball#22]

I replaced left rear quarter glass in my 68 from Ames last year and it was correct tint and fit great.

[gtohurstjudge]

In order to keep your new glass from getting scratched, it is necessary
to remove the hard plastic blow out clips that are riveted to the outer window fuzzies. They serve no function other than ruining your glass. I removed mine in
1974 and haven't scratched my glass since then. the repro fuzzies have this hard plastic riveted to them....just drill out the rivets and remove them before installing new fuzzies.

[68ragtop]

I am going to order the new glass this week.

What do I need to order to seat them properly into the vent window frames & the tracks. I thought I recall reading that the channel setting strips are not the correct thickness?

[68ragtop]

Also noticing my oe glass has the etchings somewhat random & not uniform. They are all just slightly different in height, or tipped a little.

[Peter Serio]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

I am going to order the new glass this week.

What do I need to order to seat them properly into the vent window frames & the tracks. I thought I recall reading that the channel setting strips are not the correct thickness?

Glass setting tar-tape comes in various thicknesses. Our host sells it. I ordered some free samples from Ames before I decided what to buy in width & length. You need to measure your channel then the width of the glass then do the math. That tape is a press fit. I used a soap solution to ease the glass down in. Use a rubber mallet and arm pressure. Windex will work also as an assembly lube.

The main thing is adjusting the glass to the car when you are done. That is why GM put those slotted holes in the door's and the inner quarter inside panels. The vertical felt lined guides as well as tilt and height are all adjustable.

The steps are outlined in the Fisher Body manual. FYI On some cars, especially a convertible it takes a lot of time to get the side windows adjusted just right. Often you end up making the best of it as the folding top, the metal door hinges the car's frame are all factors that are going to come into play when trying to get the side glass adjusted on an old GM convertible.

[68ragtop]

I guess I'll just wait until I have the replacement glass & go from there. Was just hoping to save more waiting time. But nothing is fast with restorations.

I Actually have all the OE glass installed right now & fitting very well. I just cannot live with the scratches they have. I have also come to the realization that there will likely never be any original scratch free glass in the near future, so time to move on with the next best thing. Just so tired of aftermarket parts not fitting or looking correct so I have been nervous about dropping that much money on new glass & being disappointed once again.

[68ragtop]

Replacement glass is ordered with Auto City Classics. Should have it in about a week.
Wasn't most of the LOF etchings on the inside of the glass & reads inverted from the outside? They said they have seen it both ways.

Not sure what to get for channel setting supplies, maybe I need to get the glass first & measure?

I'll post my results when I have them installed