my dash is gone...some caveman cut it out. To replace it (welding) I need to remove the windshield. So my 2 questions are:

How do you get the exterior chrome trim off without destroying it?

Can I take the glass out with a razor or thin wire?

My plans are to have a pro come and replace it once I am done. I have to gut a lot of stuff to do this correctly, I dont want to buy new trim and glass though.

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poor man's '69 with lots of road gunk underneath...but Im not gonna give up...ever!!!

You can rent a heated winshield knife pretty cheap .. it looks like a soldering iron with a flat SHARP! piece of pointed metal bent to a 45-90 degree angle.. that is the BEST way to do it. or you can use piano wire.. My advise have a proffesional remove it.. Removing the windshield, especially one that has been in for a really long time, 7 times out of 10 will result in cracks.

If you're looking to save the shield and not buy any expensive tools, ask for braided windshield wire (aka as piano wire)

There is a special tool available to remove the trim. Its fairly inexpensive and I can give you the name of a place that sells it if you want, just email me. It is very easy to remove the shield using the wire - just be careful not to abraid the interior trim.

The wire will take time, but its easy to use. I prefer a good cold knife or a Fein knife. I've tried that hot knife and didnt care for it (to each their own I guess) Just one thing - remember to remove all the old adhesive prior to reinstalling the shield. This will insure the best possible bond of the urethane to the pinchweld.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

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Dan
My 68 RS Convertible 1 (http://members2.clubphoto.com/not198647/Camaro/photo2.jpg) My 68 RS Convertible 2 (http://members2.clubphoto.com/not198647/Camaro/photo1.jpg)
My Web Page (http://www.crosswinds.net/~ddcamaro/)

Took the molding off my 69's front and rear windows this weekend. Go to NAPA and get a windsheild molding removal tool. Works like a champ! If you can do it outside, in the heat, it will come off easier as some of the sealent used to secure / seal the window sticks to the molding.

While at NAPA, get the windshield seal cutter - piano wire. Again - piece of cake!

Good luck!

Napa is my favorite (since they are the closest) so I will check it out. Thank you all for the wisdom. Ill throw up a post as soon as it is done (upcoming weekend)

**pray for sunshine

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poor man's '69 with lots of road gunk underneath...but Im not gonna give up...ever!!!

There's also a good article here in this site in the restoration shop section. Here is the URL: http://www.camaros.net/techref/ftecref1.html

I'm working up the nerve to attempt the same thing on my 68 ragtop. Let us know how it goes. Also where did you get the replacement dash metal and are you going to replace the dash pad?

yes, dash pad and EVERYTHING else too! I only have the headlight and wiper switch as stock equipment...? I rec'd the dash metal from the previous owner so I have nearly the whole thing. The **critical piece I am missing is the area where the replacement metal was cut with a sawzall. It is not straight and will be quite a challenge to line up and weld in. My plan is to leave the first "break" (where the metal is bent at about a 45 right at the glass) and then sacrifice the thickness of the other dash to butt the matching breaks together and come out with a little grinding and putty work to make it all look good. I think all the rest of the pieces will tolerate the .060 difference with ease. I will definitely post something when I am done. This is extra challenging because I dont have a complete shop to keep the little problems at bay..But I love a good challenge! See y'all

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poor man's '69 with lots of road gunk underneath...but Im not gonna give up...ever!!!
**it's gettin' better everyday