How to Store a Windshield?

I have a windshield that I'm keeping as a spare in case the one in the car gets smashed and I need to throw in a replacement on very short notice- problem is, I have no idea how to store it safely.  Ideally I'd like it contained in such a way that a middle of the night trip to grab it, throw it in a vehicle, haul it down the highway, and install it in the middle of nowhere is possible.

How crazy do I need to go here?  Big cardboard box with a bunch of reclaimed packing materials?  Wooden frame full of expanding foam?  Some sort of suction cup assembly?

PVC pipe with foam cradle, inside a cardboard box.  Text me dimensions - I might have an old bike box you can have. 

Alterations to a flat screen TV box and Styrofoam?  

Slice pool noodles length wise to create a "foam picture frame" then tape bubble wrap over the remaining surfaces?

Pipe insulation that is pre-taped to keep the foam together but rather use the adhesive to keep the foam taped to the glass.

All good ideas.  It's about 56"x36"x6" trying to approximate all the curves, I need to see if I have a TV box in the attic or something.

I had a spare windshield for my e30 hung on my garage wall for a few years. Small wooden L bracket about 18" wide holding the bottom with a big sponge as a pad, single cheap ratchet strap from top to bottom to hold it in place. I would've used a bungee cord on two eyelets screwed into the wall but I didn't have a bungee the right length in the garage.

When I was still working in a British car shop, windscreens were shipped in a box large enough for the glass, then using two plastic barriers/bags, expanding foam was added.  If you do it properly, the top bag of expanding foam should slide out of the box when opened, allowing the windscreen to be removed.  It made shipping across the country (Cananda) much easier/safer. 

Buying a spare parts car that doesn't have a windshield would be the only true GRM solution.

I've seen a few mobile service auto windshield replacement trucks driving around with a number of WS resting in vertical foam padded racks. You could probable make a similar single WS rack using PVC pipe and pipe foam.

I build boxes for mine, including padding and bracing. Usually a handle, too.

Not like my 50 year old front and rear 914 windows...

When I had my w indsheild out for cage work, the guy that took it out said to never lay it flat.  It could break because that's not the way the glass is designed to be supported.

I wrapped it in a blanket and sat it on a foam knee support thing (think for gardening and let it rest gently, upright, against a wall.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

  Ideally I'd like it contained in such a way that a middle of the night trip to grab it, throw it in a vehicle, haul it down the highway, and install it in the middle of nowhere is possible.

 

If this is a real need you may want to rethink your lifestyle.

Windshields don't like sharp impacts or to be supported flat by just a few points.  The latter is particularly a problem if they're being transported.  I store them vertically covered with a blanket.  I try to avoid transporting them if at all possible.  If I have to transport one I prefer to stand it up in the backseat of my truck.

If I were to box one and there was a chance that it would be laid down I would use plastic bags full of packing peanuts so that it was suppported as fully and evenly as possible.

In reply to APEowner :

About once a year I encounter a rally car that needs exactly that all nighter disaster to happen to keep going on day two.  It sucks, but so does missing half the event because of a smashed piece of glass.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

In reply to APEowner :

About once a year I encounter a rally car that needs exactly that all nighter disaster to happen to keep going on day two.  It sucks, but so does missing half the event because of a smashed piece of glass.

Just weld in your metal wagons expanded metal in place of the w indsheild and put your visor down / get goggles! 

Or, get a piece of lexan and take that with you.

I just broke a rare one today.......ohh well......

californiamilleghia said:

I just broke a rare one today.......ohh well......

That sucks.

I really need to fix my situation but I rarely go up there.