The Ford Barn

GLAmes · 03-26-2023, 10:27 AM

I have an NOS top glass for my '54. I bought it from a guy who had stored it in his attic for a very long time after he discovered he had bought it by mistake for his '55 glass top. I have had it stored in a storage shed for about six years, vertically on it's rear edge wrapped in bubble wrap. I have no idea if he had it stored vertically or horizontally. Here's my problem. It is warped. I laid it in the frame and my first thought was that I had twisted the body while doing my frame off work. I laid the old glass in and it lays perfectly. My idea is to lay the new one on top of the old one, put some weight on it and hope it reforms back to the correct shape. It is getting into the 80s here so my shop is plenty warm. I'm not aware of any replicas being produced any more and I'd bet money there isn't another NOS in existence so I can't screw this up. Any advice?

Dobie Gillis · 03-26-2023, 11:31 AM

These guys advertise replacement top glass fo '54 Fords and Mercs. They are in BC, Canada.

http://www.archer-plastics.com/proje...ria-roof-tops/

56sedandelivery · 03-26-2023, 01:20 PM

put in the sun and warm it up and then see if it fits. It is plastic I assume.

frank long island · 03-26-2023, 05:08 PM

i would set it on the car and move the whole assy into the sun this way it should conform to the shape of your car with less problems of fitment

GLAmes · 03-26-2023, 05:18 PM

Setting it in the sun is in my plans along with using the old one as a mold and weight to get it straight. It is plexiglass, 1/4 inch thick.

fordor41 · 03-26-2023, 09:43 PM

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find some old windows with glass and build a small greenhouse around the plexi. really heat it up and also will hold the heat.

Daves55Sedan · 03-27-2023, 08:33 PM

I would NOT attempt to magnify sunlight upon the plexiglass top because I would fear that "crystal checking" would appear prematurely. But I would lay the glass top in the channel on top of the car and leave it in the sun with some type of weights at the corners. Problem is, you would be shading the area you are weighing down from the natural sunlight.
Maybe try something small but very heavy and tied down with bungee cords all the way down to the rocker panels so they won't move or fall off.

fordor41 · 03-27-2023, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

I would NOT attempt to magnify sunlight upon the plexiglass top because I would fear that "crystal checking" would appear prematurely. But I would lay the glass top in the channel on top of the car and leave it in the sun with some type of weights at the corners. Problem is, you would be shading the area you are weighing down from the natural sunlight.
Maybe try something small but very heavy and tied down with bungee cords all the way down to the rocker panels so they won't move or fall off.

don't think glass would magnify, just hold the heat. It will be in baking sunlight after installation any way. after all he's in Texas

GLAmes · 03-28-2023, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordor41

don't think glass would magnify, just hold the heat. It will be in baking sunlight after installation any way. after all he's in Texas

True, TX. It will be garage kept and with no AC might be only driven at night in the summer. I need to start a search for an upper glass cover pattern that snaps on.

frank long island · 03-28-2023, 04:34 PM

you could use rachet straps to pull corners down as they are 3/4 to 1 inch wide 1 across the front and 1 across the rear but i would still do it on the car i dont see how you would use the old as a mold wont it be to small if layed inside and wide if outside just my 2 cents

03-26-2023, 10:27 AM	#1
GLAmes Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 246	warped glass top I have an NOS top glass for my '54. I bought it from a guy who had stored it in his attic for a very long time after he discovered he had bought it by mistake for his '55 glass top. I have had it stored in a storage shed for about six years, vertically on it's rear edge wrapped in bubble wrap. I have no idea if he had it stored vertically or horizontally. Here's my problem. It is warped. I laid it in the frame and my first thought was that I had twisted the body while doing my frame off work. I laid the old glass in and it lays perfectly. My idea is to lay the new one on top of the old one, put some weight on it and hope it reforms back to the correct shape. It is getting into the 80s here so my shop is plenty warm. I'm not aware of any replicas being produced any more and I'd bet money there isn't another NOS in existence so I can't screw this up. Any advice? __________________ '54 Skyliner. Restoration in progress.

03-26-2023, 11:31 AM	#2
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: warped glass top These guys advertise replacement top glass fo '54 Fords and Mercs. They are in BC, Canada. http://www.archer-plastics.com/proje...ria-roof-tops/ __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.

03-26-2023, 01:20 PM	#3
56sedandelivery Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Arkansas Posts: 525	Re: warped glass top put in the sun and warm it up and then see if it fits. It is plastic I assume.

03-26-2023, 05:08 PM	#4
frank long island Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: westbury ny Posts: 854	Re: warped glass top i would set it on the car and move the whole assy into the sun this way it should conform to the shape of your car with less problems of fitment

03-26-2023, 05:18 PM	#5
GLAmes Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 246	Re: warped glass top Setting it in the sun is in my plans along with using the old one as a mold and weight to get it straight. It is plexiglass, 1/4 inch thick. __________________ '54 Skyliner. Restoration in progress.

03-26-2023, 09:43 PM	#6
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	Re: warped glass top Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) find some old windows with glass and build a small greenhouse around the plexi. really heat it up and also will hold the heat.

03-27-2023, 08:33 PM	#7
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: warped glass top I would NOT attempt to magnify sunlight upon the plexiglass top because I would fear that "crystal checking" would appear prematurely. But I would lay the glass top in the channel on top of the car and leave it in the sun with some type of weights at the corners. Problem is, you would be shading the area you are weighing down from the natural sunlight. Maybe try something small but very heavy and tied down with bungee cords all the way down to the rocker panels so they won't move or fall off.

03-28-2023, 04:34 PM	#10
frank long island Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: westbury ny Posts: 854	Re: warped glass top you could use rachet straps to pull corners down as they are 3/4 to 1 inch wide 1 across the front and 1 across the rear but i would still do it on the car i dont see how you would use the old as a mold wont it be to small if layed inside and wide if outside just my 2 cents