Stop Your Glasses From Sliding in Hot Weather

by Dick Zakrzewski

During hot summer days, any auto glass that is bonded in place will slide downward to the lowest possible level due to the weight of the glass. It isn't going to create a serious problem like leakage, but it will interfere with the installation (and possibly removal) of trim molding if it's a windshield and interior trim if it's a rear window. If there's no trim molding for the front glass, then aesthetics is the issue. See Photo #1.

Photo #1

The solution is simple. On a new installation, support the glass from the bottom with two small spacers located at either end of the glass. See Photo #2.

Photo #2

The spaces can be made from neoprene or polyurethane. I like the polyurethane. Cut the spacer to a thickness that will provide equal clearance at the top and bottom of the glass. See Photo #3.

Photo #3

This is a technique use by OEM auto manufacturers when they started bonding windshields in place.

Once you're satisfied with the position of the glass, apply a small amount of auto glass adhesive to the spacers and position them as shown in Sketch #1. Apply adhesive to the mounting surface for the glass and install the glass resting the lower edge of the glass on the spacers. This glass will never drop out of position.

Sketch #1

If you have newly installed glass that has not yet shifted (dropped), simply cut the spacers and position them under the glass with a little adhesive. If you have a situation where the glass has already dropped as in Photo #1, have it removed by your local glass shop, clean off the old adhesive and follow the procedure for a new installation.

Dick Z