Windshield removal questions....

[chris22104]

I'm redoing a citrus that needs a new windshield. I've found a used stock honda windshield in perfect shape, already removed, at a very reasonable price, thanks to Brent at Flambouyant Auto Parts in Ohio. I have the window/a-pillar garnish trims off, the cowl off, (and a lot of other stuff off too; unrelated!) For the guys that have done windshields before, I've seen the two kits that harbor freight offers, but both have very bad write ups. Does thin music wire work well with homemade handles (dowels) on each end? If so, what is the desired gauge of music wire? Once off, I'm assuming all the old goop must be removed from the frame, correct? What is the best tool to use there? And what is the correct goop to buy for installing the new windshield, and where to buy? Thanks guys! Chris

[TRI]

Lately, I watched a professional doing the windsceen on a car. Let me tell you that if you can hire a professional, do it. It's not a simple task and needs a lot of experience. He used a special cutter maschine. It took less than a minute until the windscreen was out.
And NO The old goop is cut down to about 2 mm and NOT completely removed.

[kennysmith]

My experience is from about 15 years ago, but probably the same. The windshield guys used a "long knife" which was just a long handle on a regular box knife blade. They cut the urethane from the inside. They did not bother to get it down to metal because new urethane bonds best to old urethane. I have a long knife and a windshield removal tool (L shape blade to be used from outside) and I have had best luck with long knife. Installing is easy as you just put large bead of urethane on old urethane and push windshield "carefully" into place. Of course this job is so easy that a glass shop would not charge you much to install your glass and that might be the best option. I don't know anything about the Insight windshields/trim pieces specifically.

[chris22104]

I have a replacement honda windshield salvaged from another insight. After a number of calls to glass replacement companies, safelite will come out to me, and do the entire removal and install for a fixed $75 labor. I have everything off (trim-wise,) so it is literally ready to cut out and replace. At $75, it's a no-brainer! No buying tools, no aggrevation, no problems or mishaps, and an experienced installer, done in a fraction of the time!

[MN Driver]

chris22104, Sounds great, I had that same company swap the windsheild from a different car after I got home from a roadtrip with a stress crack that slowly grew from the top right across to about the center of the windsheild before I could get around to replacing it. Now that I look back, if I would have known it was only $75 for labor, I would have done that instead, plenty of stock glass seems to be available but I got an aftermarket piece of glass that has an annoying blue tinted top section. I'm not so bothered now though because I drive my Insight for mostly everything but I will definitely not settle for aftermarket glass again so I'll keep this in mind.