Removing Crystallite glass to cut out rust

[revl300]

G'day from Australia. Been on the ozzie site for years and have not seen any mention of anyone removing the crystallite windows. I recently bought a 92 L300 as a project with a blown motor. Engine rebuild is easy, but I have removed the headlining and need to cut out the rust in the roof. Has anyone had to remove the glass and if so, how to do it without breaking them. It will be easier for me to replace the whole section between the crystallites, as there is too many spots to cut and patch them. Any help appreciated

[FalcoColumbarius]

Welcome to Delica Canada, Rev

Fexlboi has removed the head liner recently. Not long ago there was a thread about a guy dealing with rust in his roof. Can't think off hand regarding the removal of the CLs.

Much like Delica Club Australia, the search engine is going to be limited, although it does work to a degree. One thing I do is go to Google and enter "+site:delica.ca removal of crystal lite glass". The first space appears after delica.ca. Hope that helps a little... smiles.

Falco.

[RichD]

According to someone who knows way better than me and has done it several times, the only way to remove a CL glass is to cut it out of the roof (i.e. a scrapped van).

There is a thread on here where someone did exactly what you are describing, and they took a lot of photos. The glass was left in. I'll try to find it for you, but keep searching.

[revl300]

Hey thanks fella's. Nobody over this side of the world seems to have done it yet, but more and more will end up doing it as its getting around that age where it cannot be masked anymore. It's a shame as they're a great looking machine. Got it cheap, so can afford to spend a little time and money on it.

[RichD]

If someone else can remember who posted the CL roof repair thread with all the great step by step photos, that'd be great. I have searched and come up with nothing.

[fexlboi]

The only post I could find is this: http://www.delica.ca/forum/roof-rust-my ... -3576.html
I remember there was more...

[RichD]

Its the post with the cut-out shots where he literally removed huge pieces of the sheet metal and replaced it. Google and forum search came up with nothing.

[fexlboi]

Its the post with the cut-out shots where he literally removed huge pieces of the sheet metal and replaced it. Google and forum search came up with nothing.

Here you go: http://www.delica.ca/forum/heavy-metal- ... -8037.html

[RichD]

Yes that's the thread.

[nvanadm]

the only way to remove a CL glass is to cut it out of the roof (i.e. a scrapped van).

So if a CL glass breaks/gets smashed you have to cut the roof apart? That doesn't seem right, but i'm no glass specialist. I hope nothing happens to mine.

[RichD]

the only way to remove a CL glass is to cut it out of the roof (i.e. a scrapped van).

So if a CL glass breaks/gets smashed you have to cut the roof apart? That doesn't seem right, but i'm no glass specialist. I hope nothing happens to mine.

No of course not. I said REMOVE not install. If you had one that was chipped or cracked and you wanted to replace it, you would have to break the glass and remove the gasket. I don't think you can reuse the gasket either.

Its not like the side windows which are a solid unit attached to the van with adhesive; as it was explained to me the CL roof glass is installed with a rubber gasket and once its together there is no way to remove it neatly without breaking the glass. You can't lever against the bodywork safely...

FYI Glenn at CC Autos has some used replacement CL roof glass. I have no idea if he has new rubber gasket for installing these.

So yes you are right to say that you hope nothing happens to yours. Same here.

[thedjjack]

No idea, but on glue in windshields they sell a kit to cut the glue out (basically a wire). Then you clean up all the glue and get glass adhesive and re-glue. No fancy roof on my van and I have never looked at the crystals roofs that closely.

Talk to a glass guy.

[nvanadm]

the only way to remove a CL glass is to cut it out of the roof (i.e. a scrapped van).

So if a CL glass breaks/gets smashed you have to cut the roof apart? That doesn't seem right, but i'm no glass specialist. I hope nothing happens to mine.

No of course not. I said REMOVE not install. If you had one that was chipped or cracked and you wanted to replace it, you would have to break the glass and remove the gasket. I don't think you can reuse the gasket either.

Its not like the side windows which are a solid unit attached to the van with adhesive; as it was explained to me the CL roof glass is installed with a rubber gasket and once its together there is no way to remove it neatly without breaking the glass. You can't lever against the bodywork safely...

FYI Glenn at CC Autos has some used replacement CL roof glass. I have no idea if he has new rubber gasket for installing these.

So yes you are right to say that you hope nothing happens to yours. Same here.

So you meant remove in ONE piece. Well, that's a relief. Good to know they are available if needed...lets just hope sales on CL glass is poor and no one has to worry about that.

[revl300]

Ok thanks, I will read them over the weekend. I think it will be easier to remove the glass and repanel the whole section between them. Looks like a job for after xmas.