Fixing a delaminating ballistic windshield

[GMVguy]

I have searched the forums and can't find a solution. Cutting the glass isn't really an option on these thinner ballistic windshields (like some are doing on the Ibistek ones).

My 5/8" ballistic glass is delaminating something fierce and I want to either stop it, repair it or replace the components needed. I thought I remember someone had a method to carefully separate, remove/replace the laminate... can't find it. Anyone know of a solution?

 

[juanprado]

Is that glass on glass or a plastic layer on the glass?

 

[GMVguy]

Polycarbonate layer on the crew side.

 

[juanprado]

Action posted this:

Bullet proof windshield

Haha. Thats funny. They quoted me over $400 to ship one of those to TN. BTW, i can remove the delaminated layer from the knock outs if anyone needs that service. It will end up withglass on the inside and very clear visibility. I am not selling anything. Just saying. These things are crazy...

www.steelsoldiers.com

I think there are some other threads on this also

 

[GMVguy]

Action posted this:

Bullet proof windshield

Haha. Thats funny. They quoted me over $400 to ship one of those to TN. BTW, i can remove the delaminated layer from the knock outs if anyone needs that service. It will end up withglass on the inside and very clear visibility. I am not selling anything. Just saying. These things are crazy...

www.steelsoldiers.com

I think there are some other threads on this also

Yes, that thread is about the Ibistek knockouts I mentioned in my original post. The solution there was to cut out the top couple layers to remove the problem. Not possible with the 5/8's I'm dealing with.

 

[juanprado]

Won't help you with how to fix the problem but an interesting read on the subject

 

[GMVguy]

Yes, that study gives a good understanding of the problem. Seems to be the thermoplastic polyurethane "TPU" layer that's failing.


Another study referenced a company called The Glass Doctor of St. Petersburg, Florida, who's simple "Patented Technique for Repair of Delaminations in Glass" repairs delaminations by injecting an adhesive between the delaminated plies per Figure 3.1. (W/WS, U.S. Patent # 4,780,162):

US20210323279A1 - Method for repairing delamination and moisture by heat, pressure and adhesive - Google Patents

A method for repairing window laminates in which two plies have become separated to create a void, and wherein moisture may have entered through an edge of the window laminate and into the void. The method includes the steps of: placing the window laminate in a vacuum bag and inserting the...

patents.google.com

Unfortunately I can't find them, so they must've gone out of business. Every company I've tried either doesn't repair delaminating ballistic windows, or charge $1,000+.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

All ballistic glass suffers the same fate due to exposure to the element, and it’s all addressed the same, you have to remove the poly layer that’s delaminating from the glass. In the govt world, this glass ultimately has a shelf lift, ive installed a lot of it over the years and seen my fair share already starting to delaminate still in the packaging.
Find the poly side and start slicing with a good razor blade….i have one last set of that 5/8 WS glass, it’s mint.

 

[GMVguy]

They’re becoming pretty rare. I think I’ll take it to get delaminated and possibly have another poly layer installed if I can find a shop that can do it.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

They’re becoming pretty rare. I think I’ll take it to get delaminated and possibly have another poly layer installed if I can find a shop that can do it.

i seriously doubt you will find a company that will delaminate that glass and apply new…adding any thickness with additional layers will render the OEM seal and WS retainers useless, I’ve done door glass on 5/8 and makes you add something to the edge because the dimensions for the seals and frame are figured in to make a good solid fit.

 

[GMVguy]

i seriously doubt you will find a company that will delaminate that glass and apply new…adding any thickness with additional layers will render the OEM seal and WS retainers useless, I’ve done door glass on 5/8 and makes you add something to the edge because the dimensions for the seals and frame are figured in to make a good solid fit.

Makes sense… it would only work if the replacement poly layer is the same thickness as the original.

Will likely end up using laminated/tempered in 5/8” (or 3/4” if it’ll fit with the retainers & seal)

 

[Mogman]

Makes sense… it would only work if the replacement poly layer is the same thickness as the original.

Will likely end up using laminated/tempered in 5/8” (or 3/4” if it’ll fit with the retainers & seal)

I have seen laminated glass and I have seen tempered glass but never laminated tempered glass.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Makes sense… it would only work if the replacement poly layer is the same thickness as the original.

Will likely end up using laminated/tempered in 5/8” (or 3/4” if it’ll fit with the retainers & seal)

Tempered is not used on WS’s, it’s used in side windows, if it’s on the windscreen? It’s laminaged, and 5/8 glass is expensive, I’ve sourced it…it’s an odd size. if You aren’t installing OEM glass? Than just install standard 3/8 glass, putting in 5/8 safety glass just ends up being a waste of money for looks and no real ballistics, going with OEM affords you some level is balastic protection, not sure what truck your installing it into…but it was never in the ECV GMV.

 

[GMVguy]

Tempered is not used on WS’s, it’s used in side windows, if it’s on the windscreen? It’s laminaged, and 5/8 glass is expensive, I’ve sourced it…it’s an odd size. if You aren’t installing OEM glass? Than just install standard 3/8 glass, putting in 5/8 safety glass just ends up being a waste of money for looks and no real ballistics, going with OEM affords you some level is balastic protection, not sure what truck your installing it into…but it was never in the ECV GMV.

9/16” laminated/tempered is available, which would be 1/16” smaller than OEM. Think that’ll fit with tolerances for the stock rubber seal and retainers?