Windshield Glass Type

U

ursus

Well-known member
I'm working on a "31 coupe that was partially restored over 40 years ago. I can find no identifying marks on the windshield glass, which may have been replaced at that time. How does one determine what type of glass is actually sitting in the frame?
 
What i do is if you tap the glass with a finger nail and you hear a high crisp tinking sound the glass is most likely plate glass. Laminated safety glass has a dull sound to it.
 
Hold a match,or lighter up to it and wiggle around until you get a reflection.One flame is plate,and two will be laminated.You can also hold a business card up to it at an angle,move it until you get a reflection.One reflection will be plate glass,and a second,almost a ghost reflection will be safety glass.
 
the original plate glass windshields did NOT have any markings. laminated did. the reflection deal should work.
 
Here's the multiple reflections of laminated glass
 

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Damn! That's cool I never knew that reflection test! I learn more tricks and great information from this forum!!!!!
 
jw hash said:
the original plate glass windshields did NOT have any markings. laminated did. the reflection deal should work.
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Original windshields were laminated------ if you look in the service bulletins there are pictures of the original markings
 
If there is no vehicle inspection in your state for antique cars it is possible to get a windshield cut out of a sheet of safety glass with no markings,I had one cut from a scrap sheet.
 
I had heard of the idea of putting the business card against and angled to the glass. A 160B I just bought had door windows that you could see were plate glass. I tried the "card trick" on the windshield and it showed the double image so I thought I was ok. For whatever reason I just wanted to be sure especially with it being in my face. I took the frame out and to a supposedly good glass place. The guy said he could tell by knocking on the glass. He said it sounded like laminated. I still wasn't sure so pulled the top of the frame upward to see the edge. Guess what it was plate glass! So, if you really want to be sure..........
 
My glass guy told me about the reflection test and proceeded to show me on a broken piece of plate glass from my coupe. Strangely it also reflected the double flame. We went to the new laminated and that did the exact same thing. I don't understand why because there are so many that say this is a sure test. I my case it was misleading. (Your results may vary)
 
daveymc29 said:
My glass guy told me about the reflection test and proceeded to show me on a broken piece of plate glass from my coupe. Strangely it also reflected the double flame. We went to the new laminated and that did the exact same thing. I don't understand why because there are so many that say this is a sure test. I my case it was misleading. (Your results may vary)
Click to expand...

I'm guessing the double image is coming from both sides of the plate glass.
 
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