How do you store glass windshields?

[54Illinois]

I pulled the front and rear windshields off the 54 Savoy yesterday. I put them in the office against the wall...for now. I want to save them in case I have to replace one.

What is best for long term storage?

[Young Ed]

wood/foam packing crate?

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have the majority of my spare one piece front and rear glasses in the overhead centered on the trusses..I have a ceiling in the shop and insulated so these are protected well..as they are off the main overhead storage area and back closer to the eaves..they are out of mornal upsairs traffic also..

[Mark D]

Take it to a UPS store and have them crate it. They usually have access to expanding foam packing systems. Thirty years ago I worked in an auction house that used a system like that. Foam was sprayed into a plastic bag which was inserted into a carboard box, then the item was quickly pushed into the bag which molded around the item. Second step was to insert another foam filled plastic bag and close the box. We shipped incredibly fragile items that way and never had issues with damage.

Another way was to banket wrap the items, and then use plastic (saran) wrap to totally encase the blanket around the item. Usually used this method for shipping mirrors and flat glass items. If you're item is going to be placed in a safe place this will likely suffice.

Good luck.

[Don Coatney]

Not glass, but I have a couple of Head Gaskets wrapped in cardboard and stored behind a bookcase in my office.

Word of caution, if you do this dont let your wife clean your office. I came home one day and found my gaskets on top of a pile of junk on the floor. I was lucky as there was no damage. I have now told my wife what they are and why they are there. I also wrote in big bold letters "DO NOT BEND"

I also carry a head gasket in my car wrapped in cardboard and stored on the package shelf below the rear window.

[Niel Hoback]

Don says,"I also carry a head gasket in my car wrapped in cardboard and stored on the package shelf below the rear window."

Pretty clever, Don, I'm gonna give that a think. Hmm, under the mat so it doesn't show.

[Mark D]

hmmm, you're making me think I should be packing a gasket in my car. I know that Greg carries one of these as well. If I recall, it was tucked into the rear seat springs, seen when the trunk was open...

Do they really fail that often?

[greg g]

Take a 2x4 and cut a couple of 2 ft pieces, then attach the left over piece so that the assembly look like a capital "I". then get some 1/2 ich dowels and drill into the crosses of the "I" so they stick up vertically, a bit of glue can;t hurt. Then place the assembly against a wall and stand the glass vertically between the dowels resting on the long part of the "I"

[RobertKB]

How do you store glass windshields?

I am surprised no one has given the correct answer.........very carefully!!

[Don Coatney]

Don says,"I also carry a head gasket in my car wrapped in cardboard and stored on the package shelf below the rear window."

Pretty clever, Don, I'm gonna give that a think. Hmm, under the mat so it doesn't show.

I actually have it wrapped in an old afgan also known as a duck blind. Dont let my back seat (the Vanbuskirks) passangers scare you as they are decked out for halloween:D However the image in the rear window is a pretty scary guy.

hmmm, you're making me think I should be packing a gasket in my car.

Do they really fail that often?

They only have to fail once on a road trip. You then have two choices. Wait 3-4 days to have one air shipped in, or get on the hook for a ($$$.$$) trip home. The head gasket is one of the few items on my car that I cannot get quickly (espically for my long block Desoto engine) so I do carry a spare. I also carry a (all used but workable) set of ignition points, cap, condensor, rotor, fuel pump, and enough tools to install all of the above.

[Mark D]

Advice taken, never thought of it that way and you've convinced me to pick up a spare. I travel with most of the other stuff on your list except for the fuel pump. My car has the vacuum pump/fuel pump arrangement and I'm just beginning to learn that these seem to have been most prevalent on taxi cabs? I'd like to get a spare, but haven't started the search yet. Thx

[54Illinois]

Thanks for the ideas. Also, the head gasket. I have an extra motor, so I will save most of it as well.