Back to basics: Stationary glass installation considerations

Sometimes, going back to basics can distinguish between a quality repair and a failed repair. When replacing stationary glass, there are extra considerations to perform a complete and quality repair. 

Stationary glass is not just the windshield—which has become a more complex repair or replacement operation than it once was. Each of the following factors also provide their own set of challenges: 

• Quarter glass 

• Back glass 

• Glass roof panels 

• Fixed glass on sliding doors 

Depending on the method chosen to remove the glass, there is the possibility of severely damaging the panel or causing harm to yourself or others. Always use caution and the proper protective equipment for the technicians and the vehicle. If the technician removes the glass from a removable panel, they may have an easier time if the panel is still mounted to the vehicle or on a sturdy surface, like a stand. 

It is also important to note that not all stationary glass can be reused. For example, the Mustang Mach-E uses reaction injection molding (RIM) encapsulated glass that, if removed, must be replaced. Stationary glass is often removed when repairing, replacing, or refinishing a panel. To remove it successfully without damaging the glass or the panel, the interior trim may need to be removed. 

If the glass is bonded into a moveable panel, like the liftgate, there is the extra complication of the wiper motor and the possibility that the panel may not be mounted to the vehicle yet. Since the technician may need to ensure that the glass is appropriately aligned with the adjacent quarter panels, it is a good practice to have the panel mounted to the vehicle and the wiper motor installed before installing the glass. 

Many fixed glass panels often have alignment pins on the inside of the glass. If reusing the glass, these pins may be damaged or cut off during the glass removal. While reinstalling, special care must be taken to ensure the glass is positioned correctly. Not only does the technician need to ensure the glass is positioned correctly within the glass opening, but they also need to ensure the glass aligns correctly with the adjacent panels: the liftgate, adjacent doors, trim pieces, moveable glass panels, and other stationary glass panels are all possibilities. 

As the urethane used for bonding glass to vehicles cures from the outside in, ensuring there is no need to remove the glass again can save costly and messy rework. Different manufacturers have different requirements for the installation of stationary glass. Always follow vehicle and product maker recommendations and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair. 

To learn more about stationary glass considerations, visit the I-CAR Canada course catalogue.