Customs Trimming down curved back glass? (1951 Mercury)

My car is in the throes of having the gl*** re-installed.

My back gl*** could use some t******* down in the upper corners? Do gl*** guys do that and what would they charge? Let's say 1/8 to 1/4 inch, something like that.

Also I have another back gl*** with scratches, can the scratches get polished out typically?

Thanks.

 

Yes to both. Used to know a guy in St. Charels that did it but he moved towards Indy and I lost contact with him. Either way try doin a search and you will find plenty on this topic and I'm sure there are quite a few people that do it in the Chicago area.

 

Hey

The back light in this era Mercury is tempered, no? Ya can't cut down tempered. Are lamated gl***es available?

 

I have heard of guys using an angle grinder to fit a back gl*** when it was that close. But any gl*** shop should be able yo fix you up.

Polishing out scratches depends on how deep the scratches are. Eastwood used to sell a good polishing kit.

 

Thanks guys. I figure since I have the extra gl*** I could try to have the scratches polished out and the gl*** trimmed down and then I could swap out the one that is now in the car. I don't know if the gl*** in the Mercury is tempered or a laminate. It does not look like a laminate to me.

 

It should be laminate. Of course I could be wronf I have been wrong before. You should be able to tell by looking at the little letters the manufacturer puts on there. they are usually pretty proud of the fact that gl*** is tempered.

 

Hey,

I can not recall ever seeing a laminated backlight excepting repopped gl***es for some mid fifties Chevrolets, today. I haven' seen these for fifty one's.

Laminated gl*** was introduced into vehicle windscreens to keep occupants contained on impact, and to keep the driver/p***enger from being hit with flying gl*** from frontal impact with rock, bird or other vehicle.

 

It's tempered. Do a search, lots of guys have tried to cut & ended up with a bazzillion pieces.

 

Most laminated gl*** is front windshield and sometimes side gl***...backlights were tempered...if you try to grind it down, it'll get hot and explode into a million, oh wait, a "bazillion" little pieces...words of caution, Humpty-Dumpty -- there's not enuff glue, or time, on your hands to put it back together.

R-

 

I've heard tempered gl*** described as having all six sides (front, back, and all four edges) holding the "temper" in. Once you cut into one of those sides, all the temper leaks out. A bazillion "drops" of gl*** on the floor.

 

I've heard suggestions of using grinders and also files.

 

I heard a guy talk about using a flapdisc, but I have never seen it done.

 

Please post pics of your results. Either way.

 

I have done it with a side grinder with 36 and 80 grit discs, successfully. I did it on the rear door gl***es on a 60's Impala, 4 dr harttop. However, that is not a promise that yours would be successful, nor my next one either. Ron

 

Can you mask it off and cut it with a sandblaster? Not sure if that works on tempered gl*** or not.

 

You CAN NOT cut, grind, sand, or blast tempered gl***, as has been pointed out by several folks. The question I have is why do you need to trim the gl*** anyway? If you changed the shape of the opening during the chop, you're screwed. Or rather, you top is...

 

thats what i thought, I never experimented though

 

That's what I was thinking. The rear gl*** should have fit the car at the chop procedure. Stu

 

Show some photos where it is touching the opening
and maybe someone can show you the easy way to
enlarge the opening but DON'T TRY TO CUT THE GL***.
TwoChops

 

The window opening has to fit the gl***. Please do not try to grind/sand or file a Merc back window . It is one piece tempered gl*** or 3 piece in early 49.

Try grinding on a junk vent wing gl*** out of a 60's GM or something for an experiment. there will be a lot less to sweep up.

 

here is a comment from John from the Chrome Czar Board:

"Car is now over with Larry to have the gl*** installed. Ran into a snag, no surprise right... The gl*** was put in with some sort of universal gasket, and none of it fits with the stock gaskets except for the rear window. So I'm having new gl*** cut. Most of the current gl*** is too small with stock gaskets and it's all off."

 

only the back gl*** is in, and it's a bit too tight. i'll have to figure this out eventually.

 

pro stock , years ago old choppers used to tape cardboard and duct tape up the gl***, to size they want and sand blast the gl*** down to the tapped area . these guys have been chopping cars for 100 years now .

 

A couple things here, what I've run into. many after market gaskets are to hard. the original was natural Rubber. so even if the repops shape is exact, it still doesn't compress like stock.
I have taken 1/8 inch off tempered windows at high risk. keeping it cool is the main thing.
the repop merc backgl*** are laminated and come in clear, factory green, smoke grey and Privacy almost black
Jim

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have also heard about the sandblasting trick too. I'm definitely going to do something. I don't have a go-to gl*** guy so I'll see if Larry's guy has ideas too.

Noname, I have two factory back gl***es, not repop FYI.

 

Check with Bob at Orlando Gl***. They are at 641 N Ashland, Chicago , 773-243-0776. They shaved and fitted a couple of new windshields for some Facels for me and others . They are capable of this task providing its a laminated gl***..

 

Thanks Bob I'll give those guys a call!!! What's that Ashland and Lake? Do I need to bring some riot gear with me? I'm sure it's nowhere as rough as the area by Star Chrome.

 

i want pics john!!!!

 

I promise to take pics Matt the next time I go by the car. I just ordered more of that trim from your guys in Rialto.

From what I've heard most likely the gl*** won't like being ground down, maybe the sandblasting way might work. But maybe Matt and I will get a repop gl*** from his buddy and get it worked on out there, and then shipped to me. Matt the problem is basically the top corner stick up and out a bit. I vaguely recall the old setup looking like this too. Either way we'll fix it and it will be awesome.

Mr. Positive

 

John I was in the gl*** business for 50 years you CAN NOT cut, sand blast, file, rub off or any thing else to tempered gl***, try working on your window opening if it came out it should go back.................