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about glass?
#1
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Tim49
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For the last few days I have been puttering around with my 1952 200.
I noticed the passenger vent wing window has a long crack.

And about 2 years ago when I parked the car after a drive I rolled the drivers door window up and it had a new crack.

Is it normal for this old glass to start cracking?
I thought maybe the door glass cracked because someone was looking at the car and slammed the door......
(I try never to close the door hard with the window down)
these cracks just appeared...

thanks for your advice,tim

Posted on: 2016/3/20 15:05
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Re: about glass?
#2
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Owen_Dyneto
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Vent wings usually crack from too many openings and closing with less than gentle pressure on the glass and not the frame. With door glass it's normally something loose within the door or channel that allows the glass to move sideways and hit something when the door is shut. Glass doesn't particularly get more brittle with age though the inner plastic layer of the laminate can begin to degrade, sometimes even within a few years.

Posted on: 2016/3/20 15:15
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Re: about glass?
#3
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HH56
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If the felt in the window channels has deteriorated or worn away it could be letting the glass vibrate or scrape against a rivet head. That could nick or scratch the glass edge and make it susceptible to cracking at that spot. Also on some models there was a weld on the lower screw mount for the channels that could rust thru and separate allowing the window to move or twist. If the door was closed hard when window was down the glass could also strike a portion of the regulator and crack.

Posted on: 2016/3/20 15:25
Howard
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Re: about glass?
#4
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BigKev
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Rivet head in the channel. I discovered that when I replace my window channel and the rivet head was not flush enough.

Posted on: 2016/3/20 22:12
-BigKev


1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog
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Re: about glass?
#5
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Tim49
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thanks for theinfo.
I did not know about the rivet head. and yes, the felt etc is worn low on my car. it is good to be aware , now I can be more careful.

Posted on: 2016/3/21 15:48
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Re: about glass?
#6
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Fish'n Jim
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Glass breaks by a variety of mechanisms. We know, the edge is "weaker" than the face and usually propagates the crack. So protecting the edges is key to prolonged life in flat glass. Sometimes in laminated only one face will actually be cracked but will look cracked through by reflection.
I've seen glass get more prone to breakage with age not just auto glass. But there's no "shelf life". It's just the accumulation of normal stresses and microcracks over time that then only need a small force to propagate a crack. Like in a windshield. It takes hits from stones, bugs, etc. all the time, but takes one more or put cold water on it sitting in the sun and this giant crack appears and grows worse as the day heats.
The glass has no defined crystal structure, but stores stresses, so it's kinda like unzipping a zipper. The crack front runs along the microcracks and separates the molecules. Sometimes, you'll see the crack change course, around an old wound.
You can use the acrylic "glue" windshield repair they sell for repairing. You have to force it in under vacuum/pressure to get completely transparent, but it will prevent it from further breaking even if it's not completely filled. If you get to them quickly, you can save the window.
If the laminate is getting discolored/separated around the edges, there's not much you can do except replace. The glass edges are now exposed for cracking as the film is actually weathering/deteriorating.

Posted on: 2016/3/23 20:51
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Re: about glass?
#7
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David Grubbs
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Replacing the door glass is pretty simple and not expensive. Here in Billings I can get a new laminated glass window for $35 to 40, and an hours labor to install. If you are fairly handy, it is not difficult to do. The 51-54 shop manual has directions. The toughest part is getting your hands inside the door, but at least Packard was kind enough to provide two large access panels in the door.

Often the problem causing the cracking is the worn out "mouse fur" inside the vertical guides. These get worn out and allow the glass to rattle around, causing stress. Most auto glass shops have replacement stock on hand, or it is available on line. This is something that you should have replaced when you replace the glass.

Posted on: 2016/3/24 10:00
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Re: about glass?
#8
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Tim49
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some more great advice.
for the door window glass a local shop said he could do it for about $100.00. I am sure I can do the job myself. The price quoted me is high compared to montana. oh well. when I get down to it i'll make more calls.

Posted on: 2016/3/24 14:45
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