Removing windshield in one piece?

Has anyone removed the windshield without breaking it? I have an 85 GTS and I'm getting ready to start on the front bodywork. I've talked to a local Ferrari "expert" and he told me there is no way to pull it without breaking it. I find this hard to believe. Does anyone have any tips? Also, this is not the factory installed windshield.

 

I painstakingly removed the original windshield in my '79 gtb to repair some rust and repaint without any damage. It took a couple of hours using razor knife to score
the sealer and a wire to pull around the glass to completely cut through it. However, I did manage to damage it by storing it incorrectly. It was laying face down on top of another
project car on a bed of bubble wrap and after a couple of months there was a crack from the top of the glass to the bottom. There probably was some stress on the
glass during removal, but the glass should have been stored in a vertical position on its edge. I have seen that others removed the glass without damage, but you
should look at it as if you will damage the glass and have to replace it, count it as a bonus if it comes out intact. The aluminum trim can be damaged easily during
removal, thankfully I had no problem with that. The replacement glass has a black strip around the perimeter so it can be installed without the trim and look ok but
I will reinstall the trim for the original look.

 

Get yourself a couple feet of 3/4" metal conduit and hammer one end of it flat. Slide a utility knife blade into the slot and use it as an extended knife. You have to be careful to only cut one way and not pull back or the blade will stick in the adhesive. Just take your time and it can be done. Its not the safest way to do it, but it helps.

 

It’s a gamble no matter what you do.
Windshields take a "set" while they are installed in a vehicle and when you remove them you relieve all this "set” stress.
You may get it out without any damage and then crack as you’re walking away from the car with it in your hands or weeks latter while sitting in storage.
Or you might get lucky and it will remain intact and you can reinstall it.
like I said its a gamble, no way to tell before hand. So if you’re going to remove it be prepared for the possibility of having to replace it.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'll give it a try and see what happens.

 

I my self have never take 3x8 windshield out, but here is a tip:
Old Italian cars used to have wire inside sealant this wire was ment to be connected to car battery and as wire makes heat, sealant become more flexible and windsheald can be taken out.

 

Get your best local windscreen fitter on the job.
The guy I use has never (& I really do mean never) broken a screen I've asked him to do.
He's not cheap (£55 per hour) but soooooo much cheaper than buying glass for every Ferrari we do!.
Don't listen to the b/s of people who have simply never succeeded in doing it themselves, therefore deem it as impossible!
Best wishes, Al.

 

I agree with Al completely....they do it for a living.

And, should a mishap occur they can get the replacement at wholesale cost......

It's possible it'll break but at least you had professionals on the case........

 

Ahh the joys of working with Ferrari glass

Anyway, if there is no rust in the area, you might want to just remove the trim and silicone and leave the glass alone for paint and then reinstall the trim and silicone after....

 

They may get the replacement at wholesale cost, but more than likely they are going to charge you retail. After all, they do it for a living .

Just take your time, be patient, and be careful not to chip the glass with the blade. That is where the cracks will come from. If you think a Ferrari is hard, try doing an old Vette window with a 90 deg curve on each side.