So I am helping my buddy fix his Pontiac Grand Am. One of his window sash clips is broken (see attached image of a non-broken version of what I am talking about). Has anyone replaced these epoxied window (sash) clips before? From internet searching there seems to a be common problem of them breaking and getting replaced for this vehicle. I have read (in multiple places on the web) to take a putty knife, thin chisel and a hammer to carefully chip away the epoxy. Has anyone done this before? Seems to be the most common method, just looking for some re-assurance I guess. Thanks for the help!
A hammer and glass don't mix too well! Might be better to take a razor knife and try to cut off the epoxy from the glass.
Yeah, I was thinking of starting that way. The epoxy is ROCK hard, not like an "adhesive" or whatever.
Yep, the online how-to I found says to use a hair dryer to warm it up. I will start on low and see how it goes from there. I ordered the clips. So in a week or so I guess I will tackle it. Thanks for the replies, guys!
Weve done dozens at work on chryslers. similar design. Ours pull off the glass though. USe a heat gun to remove it clean and use panel bond to install new clip. Not sure if the heat gun will work on your adhesive or not. Its risky doing anything with these windows whether its heating,scraping whatever. Weve only lost one in the countless we have done but its always a risk. Wear safety glasses. Side windows dont just crack they explode as they are designed to. Side windows arent laminated. I make good money on these believe it or not. Its good for me and the customer doesnt have to pay for a new window.
Thanks for the info. :Handshake Likewise, we are trying to avoid a new window. We have a heat gun, so I will give it a shot. All we need to do is pickup some new epoxy and wait for the new clips to come in.
No problem. We should be getting a run on them at work soon. Weather just got real cold here so Im sure some window clips will fall victim. They just cant leave that window up even when frozen. Gotta get that coffee in the morning. You wouldnt believe how many window repairs I have done just so the owner can use drive thrus. LOL.
Just to follow up. I tackled this today. It wasn't that bad. I heated up the clip and glass using a heat gun. Not hot, just warm to help make the old epoxy pliable. Then I cut groove into the old clip, because as a whole it would not budge. I then took a screwdriver and slowly but surely chipped it away with a hammer. Cleaned up with a razor blade. I am letting the new clip and epoxy sit overnight. Not sense in rushing it. I will be setting the glass back in tomorrow morning. Thanks for the help guys!
"Not sense"? Or No sense?.. Or do you mean "Non sense"? jk Feels good to get something done I'm sure..
